Drawing by far the largest crowd of the season to Bob Hagen
Memorial Gym, Gilroy’s and San Benito’s varsity boys basketball
teams fed off the energy of fans to keep pace with one another for
four and a half quarters Friday night. But some costly turnovers by
Gilroy in the final minutes of overtime kept the Mustangs from
cutting into a four-point deficit, and allowed San Benito to make
some crunch-time free throws to win the contest 53-46.
Drawing by far the largest crowd of the season to Bob Hagen Memorial Gym, Gilroy’s and San Benito’s varsity boys basketball teams fed off the energy of fans to keep pace with one another for four and a half quarters Friday night.
But some costly turnovers by Gilroy in the final minutes of overtime kept the Mustangs from cutting into a four-point deficit, and allowed San Benito to make some crunch-time free throws to win the contest 53-46.
“This is what’s great about high school sports,” San Benito coach John Becerra said of the atmosphere created by the rivalry. “But during the game, it’s hard to enjoy it.”
Fans from Hollister came to Gilroy in support of the ‘Balers, helping to make the game entertaining even when players were called to the sidelines during timeouts. Chants from students were sent across the floor from both sides, referencing games played this year as well as sports that have yet to start their seasons. Cheerleaders from each school even got into the act, taking turns doing flips to show who was more limber, and thereby serving the other.
“It was the most intense game we’ve been in this year,” San Benito forward Kevin Burley said. “It’s the best atmosphere. There’s nothing that can describe it. It was great.”
San Benito led 26-20 at halftime but the two teams entered the fourth quarter knotted up 33-all.
After trading baskets, Marty Bueno (nine points, six assists) hit a free throw for the ‘Balers to go up 39-38. Burley added two of his eight points to give San Benito a 41-38 advantage with less than minute to play.
Gilroy’s Derek Jensen (14 points) responded by making a 10-foot leaner on the baseline while drawing a foul. He converted the three-point play at the line to tie the game 41-all with 34.8 seconds left. An errant shot attempt at the buzzer by San Benito sent the game to overtime.
Trailing 45-44 in the extra period, Gilroy attempted to get something going to the basket but turned the ball over to Brian Haggett (10 points), who went the length of the floor to make a layup while being fouled from behind by Jensen.
Officials ruled that it was an intentional foul, giving the ‘Balers a free throw and possession of the ball. Haggett missed the three-point-play free throw but made two after being fouled when the ‘Balers were given back the ball.
The Mustangs had several opportunities to close the gap after a couple San Benito miscues, but by rushing down the court, Gilroy committed several crucial turnovers of its own in a hurry to score.
“Our breakdowns kind of determined what happened in the end,” Gilroy forward Lorenzo Dobson said. “As far as energy we were equal. But those mistakes in the end cost us the game.”
Dobson (six points, 11 rebounds) and Marshad Johnson (11 points, 14 rebounds) dominated the painted area much of the night for Gilroy, but a lack of guards hurt the Mustangs’ ability to control the tempo. The Mustangs’ Kendrick Azcueta went down with an injury in the second half, and was visibly limping when returning to the court. He had to be subbed out in the final minutes, leaving the Mustangs with even less options at guard after entering the game with only eight players suited up due to injuries.
With the victory, San Benito stayed in second place in the Tri-County Athletic League standings at 7-2, 17-7 overall. Gilroy is now 7-16 overall, 1-7 in the TCAL.
