The ‘Garlic City’ was the place to be for winter sports as 12
Mustang soccer and basketball players were named to the All-TCAL
First Team
Girls Basketball First Team
Katherine Hussey G/F, Sr. – TCAL MVP
With the graduation of four-year Notre Dame star Jessica Ross (now at Pepperdine), the TCAL was ready to anoint a new queen of the court. Gilroy senior Katherine Hussey showed she was ready to wear the crown. This season the 5-foot-9 small forward came into her own, developing into the Mustangs’ go-to scorer, especially after a breakout 30-point performance against North Salinas on Jan 20. Hussey, a three-year varsity player who was a second team selection last season, led the Mustangs with a total of 410 points, averaging a league-best 18 points per game in league play. She also averaged 8.8 rebounds per game. “Katherine spend the off season doing her own strength and conditioning program which I think really helped her take the ball to the basket,” said Gilroy head coach Kari Williams. “She really stepped up fro the last nine games of league…She just seemed to come up with the big quarter or half to give us the edge to win.”
G Kristen Campos, Sr.
A three-time TCAL first team selection. . . Averaged over eight assists per game in league and 8.7 points per game for the season as the Mustangs’ point guard…Known for her uncanny floor vision and ability to thread the needle: “After someone would score their basket, we would wonder how the ball got to them,” Williams said.
F/C Jessica Groppe, Sr.
A workhorse in the post for Gilroy, the 5-foot-10 forward averaging a double-double in points and rebounds in league play…Had six double-doubles in 12 league games…The team’s second leading scorer for the season behind Hussey with 12.6 points per game… “Jess is not a big girl. She was always playing someone bigger than her,” Williams said. “She worked on her post moves in the last two years and put in the extra time to be able to shoot a right and left hook (shot).”
Second Team
G Marissa Nowakowski, Sr.
G/F Vanessa Wilkins, So.
Honorable Mention
F Dana Schoeneman, So.
Sportsmanship
G Nina Blas, Sr.
Coach of the Year
Kari Williams
Boys Basketball First Team
Ryan Chisolm F, Sr. – TCAL MVP
Ryan Chisolm’s 6-foot-6 stature and fight made him an inside force. But it’s the gym rat qualities that gave Chisolm the outside game to make him an inside-outside threat and this year’s TCAL MVP.
“He’d be shootting with the janitor at night,” said Gilroy assistant coach Jeremy Dirks. “Ryan can do a little bit of everything…He’s working all the time and made himself into a player, really.”
During the TCAL season, Chisolm averaged 12.3 points per game and 9.3 rebounds per game and had four double-doubles. The senior also shot 72 percent from the free throw line.
When defenders concentrated on keeping Chisolm out of the paint, he’d step out to nail his signature 10-foot jumper from the free throw line. But low-scoring nights didn’t necessarily mean he was away from the basket.
“He definitely didn’t score more than most guys in the league,” Dirks said. “But he had 20 rebounds in a game.”
G/F Kameron Handy, Jr.
One of the most athletic players on the team, Handy was the Mustangs’ slasher…Averaged 12.3 points per game and 5.8 rebounds per game in TCAL play…Scored a career-high 32 points at Palma Feb. 8.…Averaged 18.8 points in the Mustangs last four league games…A good defender, Handy was often called upon to guard the opposition’s best player…”He’s just a do-it-all guy. It took him a little while to get off the blocks, but once he gained confidence, he really came through,” Dirks said. “The way he gets to the hoop is he can change hands well and shoot with either hand.”
Second Team
G Jeremy Teschera, Sr.
C Jason Conrad, So.
G Dominik Wilkins, Sr.
G Vinny DeLorenzo, Sr.
Sportsmanship
Wilkins, F Chris Yates, Sr.
Coach of the Year
Bud Ogden
Girls Soccer First Team
Brittany Barnes, F, Sr. Co-Sr. of the Year
A senior leader…Was the team’s third leading scorer with eight goals on the season…Also had five assists…”From last year to this year, her leadership skills grew tremendously,” Gilroy girls soccer head coach Jose Hernandez said. “She gave everything she had.”
Amanda Bruce, MF, Jr. Midfield MVP
The tough, hard-working junior controlled the middle of the field for the Mustangs…Finished the season as the second leading scorer with eight goals…Also had a team-leading nine assists with JoAnn Pedroza… “Her work ethic is unbelievable. She won’t miss a practice and she’ll do anything to play through pain and injury,” Hernandez said. “She’s a quiet and lets her actions speak for her, but you’re not going to question her heart.”
GK/MF Sara Hugo, So.
A field player who successfully converted to keeper… “She’s an awesome athlete and a great player in any position,” Hernandez said. “For the second straight year, she played a position she doesn’t like and did it well.”
JoAnn Pedroza, F, Sr.
Offensive MVP
Gilroy’s vocal field leader who was also the top producer of offense with 12 goals and nine assists…Called the Mustangs’ most “aggressive and reliable” player… “(JoAnn) has been taking advantage of her second chance,” Hernandez said, referring to Pedroza’s rocky freshman and sophomore seasons. “If you’re going to get through her, you’re going to have to take your hits.”
Second Team
F Nubia Diaz de Leon, Jr.
MF/D Kristi Figueroa, So.
D Nicole Hovey, Sr.
D Kendra Sato, Sr.
Defensive MVP
Honorable Mention
D Maritza Gonzalez, Fr.
F Jenny Loi, Sr.
D Cheyenne Strametz, Fr.
F Ariana Vera, Fr.
Sportsmanship
Margaret Burton, Jr.
Boys Soccer First Team
Kevin Grove, D, So.
Defensive Player of Year
Helped Gilroy finish as one of the least scored against teams in the Monterey Bay area…Plays with the maturity of a senior…Known for his quickness, strength, leaping ability and strong leg…”I wait every day for a phone call from his mom or dad to tell me he’s decided to give up baseball and play soccer full-time,” said Gilroy boys soccer assistant coach Brian Hall. “He’s Division I material.”
MF Humberto Pineda, Jr. Co-Junior of the Year
Led the team with three assists in eight games on the year…Creative and quick with the ball…Great ability to feed get teammates the ball… “The beauty about his play is he’s an attack-oriented guy but he’s not afraid to play both sides of the ball, both offense and defense,” Hall said.
F Jose Velasquez, Jr.
The team’s leading scorer with six goals…Five of those goals game in the Mustangs’ last four must-win games of the season…Made smooth transition from midfield to forward midway through season… “For me, he was one of the big surprises of the year,” Hall said. “He’s the director of the orchestra inside the locker room. He’s a hard worker, he’s hungry to be a better player and a better person in school.”
Second Team
D Gabe Mendoza, Sr.
D Emmanuel Nava, Sr.
MF Jose Pineda, Sr.
Honorable Mention
MF Andy Moya, Fr.
MF Jairo Rodriguez, So.
