After a couple close calls, the Gavilan men
’s basketball team traveled to Aptos Saturday and found itself
in yet another tight game. Only this time, the Rams turned it into
their first conference victory. Gavilan, which led host Cabrillo
College nearly the entire way, fended off a late rally by the
Seahawks and snapped a five-game losing s
treak with a 70-65 win.
After a couple close calls, the Gavilan men’s basketball team traveled to Aptos Saturday and found itself in yet another tight game.
Only this time, the Rams turned it into their first conference victory.
Gavilan, which led host Cabrillo College nearly the entire way, fended off a late rally by the Seahawks and snapped a five-game losing streak with a 70-65 win.
“One of the most important things is that we had a real good week of practice,” Gav head coach Chris Shoemaker said. “We talked about being physical and that’s what the guys did.”
In the first half, the Rams (9-10 overall, 1-3 in conference play) rebounded and defended well and were able to control the tempo in taking a 27-24 lead.
After halftime, Maurice Miller (33 points) and the ‘Hawks cut the lead to lead to one. But the Rams were able to hang on behind sophomore forward Jon Morrison, who hit seven straight free throws down the stretch and led the team with 20 points and six rebounds.
Hollister native Broc Sondgroth (18 points) also added a few late buckets, while Adrian Zamora contributed 13 points and a team-leading eight rebounds.
Shoemaker said the win against Cabrillo, which came in ranked in the top 15 of Northern California, was proof of the Rams’ competitiveness.
“If we play the way we’re capable of playing, then we have a chance to win every game from here on out,” he said. “While we’re not dominating, I do think we give ourselves a chance with our personnel.
“And I haven’t seen any quit in my team. They continue to work hard and improve throughout the year.”
They certainly have a challenge ahead of them.
On Wednesday, the Rams play host to powerful West Valley College, which beat Cabrillo by 18 in its last game. The Vikings (14-3/2-1) are league co-favorites along with San Jose City College, which Gav lost a heartbreaker to earlier this month after blowing a late 10-point lead.
“I think we had a hangover from that game for about a week or so, but that’s out of our system now,” Shoemaker said. “We’re living in the present.”
And how big would a win over West Valley be to the Rams’ present state?
“That,” he added, “would be huge.”
