It was quite a start for the Gavilan men
’s basketball team – and quite a start for one of its 10
freshmen.
It was quite a start for the Gavilan men’s basketball team – and quite a start for one of its 10 freshmen.
The Rams, winners of just four games last season, won their season debut Monday with a 68-51 home victory over Foothill College.
“More than anything I’m proud of the effort my team gave,” Gavilan head coach Chris Shoemaker said. “They played extremely hard on defense and played as a team.
“When you do those two things, you’re going to be pretty good.”
Having Adrian Zamora doesn’t hurt, either. The forward from Watsonville poured in 27 points and grabbed eight rebounds in his college debut.
“Being his first game, it was really unbelievable,” Gavilan head coach Chris Shoemaker said. “I knew he’d play well, but honestly, not that well.
“It’s a debut anybody would be proud of. He didn’t just score for us, but he made some unbelievable passes, too.”
Zamora did have help, however.
Fellow newcomer Andre Hayes posted 14 points, while sophomore Jon Morrison, the Rams’ only returning player – starter or reserve – added 16 points for the winners.
But Gavilan, which only led by three at halftime and by five with 10 minutes to go, ran away with the victory thanks to some tenacious defensive pressure from its backcourt – guards Jason Wells (San Lorenzo Valley), Broc Sondgroth (Hollister) and Ron Colmon (Gilroy).
Shoemaker said the trio was especially effective guarding the perimeter, which was to be a key to Friday’s game with Redwoods College, traditionally a program that produces 3-point specialists.
The Rams take on Redwoods in the first-round of this weekend’s Monterey Peninsula College tournament, which includes fellow Coast Conference members Foothill and De Anza.
On Saturday, Gavilan (1-0) will take on either Napa College or the tourney host, MPC.
