After a pre-game Senior Night ceremony that brought out family
and friends, the Live Oak High boys basketball team gave the big,
and vocal, home crowd something to cheer about, beating visiting
Gilroy 58-42 Tuesday night.
After a pre-game Senior Night ceremony that brought out family and friends, the Live Oak High boys basketball team gave the big, and vocal, home crowd something to cheer about, beating visiting Gilroy 58-42 Tuesday night.
All the seniors on the basketball team and the cheerleading squad were recognized during the ceremony.
Afterward, the Acorns, ranked No. 12 in the Central Coast Section going into the game, improved to 5-0 in the Tri-County Athletic League with the victory, finishing the first half of the league schedule unbeaten.
Playing before a crowd that included a raucous rooting section full of students wearing sombrer-os, the home team did not disappoint.
Live Oak (18-2 overall) led the entire way and the Acorns dominated most of the second half, when they pulled ahead by double digits and held the Mustangs to a single field goal in the fourth quarter.
At one point in the third quarter, however, the Acorns had a 14-point lead that was quickly cut in half after a Gilroy rally.
According to Live Oak senior Steve Conner, Paolucci responded by telling his players they had to get back into the game and play better defense.
“Paolucci yelled at us about our defense,” Connors said. “He told us we had to pick it up. I guess we listened.”
The result was the Acorns finished the third quarter with a 10-point lead, then dominated the fourth quarter. During the first five minutes of the fourth, Gilroy was only able to score a single point, off a free throw. The Mustangs managed one field goal later in the quarter, but were restricted to free throws the rest of the game, allowing Live Oak to pull away from the Mustangs.
Paolucci said he was impressed with how his players handled themselves, saying that the game against Gilroy is an indicator of the tough league play to come and that the Acorns can’t take anything for granted.
“Anywhere we go now will be intense,” Paolucci said.
Early in the game, the Mustangs stayed on Live Oak’s heels, staying within seven points at the end of the half.
But Gilroy couldn’t seem to overcome Live Oak’s depth.
“They’re a good all-around team,” Mustangs senior forward Steven Good said. “We shut down some, but others would score.”
According to Mustang head coach Bob Ogden, Gilroy went into the game trying to defend a few players, but found the Acorns had too many weapons in the arsenal.
“They have a full arsenal of guys who can score,” Ogden said.
Leading the way for the Acorns was Conner, who fought his way to eight points to match his nine rebounds. The leading scorer for the Acorns was junior forward Matt van Keulen, who racked up 13 points including three 3-point shots.
Also playing well for Live Oak was senior guard Joel Wright, who scored eight points including two 3-pointers.
Live Oak’s boys and girls team play a road doubleheader tonight at Hollister. The Acorn girls play at 5:30 p.m., followed by the Acorn boys at 7 p.m.
