GILROY
– The Gavilan Rams sent in their Christmas list. Santa checked
it twice. And yes, they have been very good, but Santa keeps
landing on the roof and not going down the chimney.
GILROY – The Gavilan Rams sent in their Christmas list. Santa checked it twice. And yes, they have been very good, but Santa keeps landing on the roof and not going down the chimney.
“That has been the story for us for six or seven games this year,” said Gavilan head basketball coach Chris Shoemaker said. “We have been playing hard and competing. We just haven’t done the things needed to win.”
Gavilan (2-11) was defeated 75-63 by visiting De Anza Tuesday night. The Rams never held a lead in the game but were always right within striking distance.
The Rams weren’t able to get into their offense for the first ten minutes of the game. Jon Morrison, who led the Rams with 15 points was able to work himself to the free-throw line a couple times in the first couple minutes.
De Anza (3-7) took leads of 5-1 and 8-3 in the first five minutes of the game. But San Benito grad Tommy Songroth hit a 3-pointer to pull the Rams with 13-11 with 12:30 left in the first quarter and the Rams tied the game at 13 on a basket by Mike Fugate.
But De Anza went on a 14-2 run to take a 27-15 first-half lead.
The Rams got within four to start the second quarter but soon fell behind by ten points. Gavilan moved within 53-51 with 10 minutes left, but that was the closest the Rams could get as the Dons immediately answered.
“We kept clawing back,” Shoemaker said. “But whenever we would get within two or three points, they would make a big shot.”
Gavilan has three more tough preseason games left. The Rams play at Mendocino five hours away and then at Foothill, who recently beat conference rival Hartnell.
The Rams return home on Jan. 10 to face Ohlone before opening up conference play with visiting Hartnell.
