Gilroy boys basketball head coach Bug Ogden really wants his
team to work the ball inside.
Gilroy – Gilroy boys basketball head coach Bug Ogden really wants his team to work the ball inside.
So much so that during the Gilroy boys basketball team’s game against St. Francis Central Coast Catholic, he told the team “no shots outside the paint.”
In the second quarter, the Mustangs did what the coach asked, busted what had been a close game wide-open, and advanced into the championship bracket with a 60-30 win Thursday night.
“We needed this win, especially after (losing to Valley Christian) yesterday,” said forward Kameron Handy, who led the Mustangs with 11 points. “We haven’t won this in four years and that’s what’s keeping us psyched.”
Center Jason Conrad (6 rebounds, 4 blocks) and guard Frankie Tomasetti (4 rebounds) each had eight points. Ryan Chisolm (4 rebounds), Christian Cania and Michael Martinez each finished with six. In all, eleven players scored for the Mustangs.
After the first quarter, Gilroy only led 11-9. But in the second quarter, the Mustangs transition game helped them go on a 13-2 run.
“I think (the transition game) was one of the big keys,” said Ogden. “I think they figured out that they could get just about everything they wanted on the fast break.”
After baskets from guard Destry Jones (5 points), guard Michael Martinez (6 points) and Chisolm, St. Francis finally scored for the first time in the quarter on two free throws. Guard Jeremy Teschera found Jones on a quick transition lay-up and then a trailing Conrad the next time down the floor to extend Gilroy’s lead to 21-11.
Gilroy kept building its lead from there, limiting the Sharks to a total of eight points in the second and third quarters. The Mustangs led 43-17 after three.
Gilroy (5-6) will take on Harbor tonight at 8pm in the second round. Point guard Dominik Wilkins believes the Mustangs could go all the way to the championship if they stay composed.
“What we have to do is maintain our confidence,” Wilkins said. “We’re one of the best teams out there.”
