December 6, 2006
Size matters as does tired legs
Coach Bud Odgen’s Gilroy High team traveled to Santa Cruz County Tuesday night for a rematch against San Lorenzo Valley (SLV) High, a squad the Mustangs had beaten 64-59 on December 1. Scott Krueger led SLV with 29 points while Javin Charlot poured in 28 for the Mustangs in that earlier matchup.
The end result was the same last night as the Gilroy’s height, with three players 6-8 or taller, again proved too much for the grit of the Cougars, 61-51.
Spencer Ford
Ogden started Jason Conrad and Spencer Ford, both 6-foot-10, in his opening lineup while the tallest Cougar measured but 6-foot-3. This size advantage enabled Gilroy to move out to a 14-8 lead at the end of the first quarter. SLV inched closer in the second quarter and closed the deficit to 28-26 after the first 16 minutes.
The Cougars out-hustled the Mustangs on the boards throughout the third quarter, made a number of put-back shots and ended up out-scoring Gilroy 18-12 to take a 44-40 lead at the end of three.
Fatigue finally set in during the fourth quarter for SLV as shots that had been falling previously came close but refused to go down and the Cougars mustered just 11 points in the final eight minutes. Charlot and teammate Kameron Handy led Gilroy’s charge in retaking the lead and Gilroy again went home the winner, 61-51.
Handy led Gilroy with 20 points, the majority on determined drives in the fourth quarter and Charlot contributed 19. Kevin Krueger, SLV’s top scorer this season, led all scorers with 24.
Gilroy -- Handy 20, Charlot 19, Conrad 10, Ford 8, Dobson 2, Jones 2.
SLV -- Krueger 24, Morris 8, Pavlina 6, Payne 6, West 5, Gorman 2
Jason Conrad, 6-10, JR: The most ‘artistic’ of the Mustangs with a headband wrapped around a unique version of a semi-Mohawk haircut, Conrad is Mr. Versatile. He played both the back and front ends of Ogden’s 1-3-1 zone defense, blocking shots when stationed in the paint and harassing SLV’s guards with his quickness and long arms up top. Conrad displayed a nice shooting touch facing the hoop 15-17 feet out although his form seems similar to that of a shotputter. He didn’t get many offensive opportunities down low as SLV swarmed anytime the ball went into the paint. Conrad will need added weight and strength but he’s just a junior and time should take care of this. He displays real fire on the court.
Spencer Ford, 6-10, SR: A transfer from Milpitas, Ford is a fine athlete, running the court exceptionally well for someone his size. His outside shot wasn’t on display last night and SLV pounded on him when he received a pass inside. He appears to be more of a finesse player at this point and will need added weight and strength to play at the next level. He’s an intriguing prospect but one who, besides needing physical gains must also display more assertiveness on the floor. He is turning around his academic concerns and currently sports a 3.0 grade point average.
Lorenzo Dobson, 6-8, JR: Another Milpitas transfer, he played little last night. He appears to be a solid athlete but still in search of finding a niche on the loaded Gilroy frontline. He did grab 11 rebounds in an earlier game.
Javin Charlot, 6-2, SR: He came over from Oak Grove and is the primary ballhander and backcourt scorer for the Mustangs. He displayed a decent outside shot and the ability to penetrate for baskets. It&:rsquo;s likely he’ll have to go the junior college route next year.