A fourth-quarter push by Alisal overcame three quarters of solid
play by Gilroy High’s boys basketball team Tuesday night in
Salinas, handing the Mustangs a 53-48 loss in the Tri-County
Athletic League season opener.
SALINAS – A fourth-quarter push by Alisal overcame three quarters of solid play by Gilroy High’s boys basketball team Tuesday night in Salinas, handing the Mustangs a 53-48 loss in the Tri-County Athletic League season opener.
The Trojans’ Jordan Ramirez led all scorers with 21 points. His outburst helped Alisal overcome a stifling defensive effort by the Mustangs to contain Jonathan Sosa, who entered the contest averaging over 20 points per game but entered Tuesday’s fourth quarter with only two points.
Sosa finally got hot in the final period, scoring 10 to help Alisal outscore Gilroy 23-15 in the last eight minutes. Gilroy led 33-30 after three quarters.
The Mustangs didn’t do themselves any favors at the free throw line, shooting 6-of-17.
“It kind of became a free-throw shooting contest in the end and we lost out,” Gilroy coach Jeremy Dirks said, adding that he couldn’t ask much more of his team, which was facing a Trojans squad that improved to 13-2.
“I hate that moral victory thing … but I’m proud of them. I really am,” he said. “It was a very solid performance. I’m very pleased with the effort. And the execution was pretty good, too.”
Tyler Hartman led Gilroy (9-6) with 18 points and nine rebounds. Elijah Harrell had nine points and five steals, while Greg Hamik pitched in eight points to go with five rebounds. Forward Dolopo Opere had four points and nine rebounds.
The Mustangs will play their first TCAL home game Thursday at 7 p.m. when they host Salinas.
