One minute it looked as if Gavilan was going to get blown out
Wednesday by San Jose City College.
One minute it looked as if Gavilan was going to get blown out Wednesday by San Jose City College.
Several minutes later, it looked like the Rams were going to bury the Jaguars. The Coast Conference opener was that type of game.
It ended for Gavilan like so many before, a game that turned against the Rams because of turnovers that allowed SJCC to seize an 81-73 win.
“It was a good game but turnovers destroyed us in the first four minutes,” Gavilan coach Tito Addison said.
And yet, the Rams were able to battle back from an early 16-2 deficit with a 22-6 run that put them ahead by two. The Jaguars led 38-32 at halftime.
It was early in the second half that Addison thought was the determining factor in the game.
“We held them for seven straight possessions without them scoring,” Addison said. “Offensively during that span, we turned the ball over five times. That was the basketball game.”
It didn’t help Gavilan (4-12) that it got limited playing time from 7-0 Eric Van Vliet, who fought foul trouble and then had his lip split in the second half.
The balanced Jaguars (8-13) had four players in double figures led by 17 points from Jerry Cotton and 16 from Will Mace.
It was a milestone victory for 30-year SJCC coach Percy Carr, who with his 704th career win established himself as the winningest basketball coach in California Community College history.
Jessie LoBue led the Rams with 21 points and 11 rebounds. Kenny Hills had 16 points and Django Evans added 14.
Gavilan returns home for a 7pm game today against Hartnell.
“They’re a very experienced, patient team,” Addison said of Hartnell. “They shoot very well. Defense is going to be very important.”
And yet defense has been Gavilan’s strong suit, according to Addison.
“Our halfcourt defense has been sound,” Addison said. “That’s never been an issue. When you turn the ball over as much as we have and (opponents) get uncontested layups, you just can’t account for that.”
