Apaches Roll Past Smithville 67–38 Behind Stifling Defense

GONZALES — Gonzales opened its post-Thanksgiving stretch with one of its strongest outings of the young season, powering past Smithville 67–38 at home Tuesday night. The Apaches controlled the game from the opening tip, using aggressive defense and balanced scoring to pull away early and never look back.

Gonzales forced 30 steals and turned Smithville’s turnovers into 36 points, leaning on the defensive identity head coach Brady Keane has been emphasizing since the start of the year.

“I was excited about the defensive intensity we played with, and that gave us a spark on the offensive end,” Keane said. “We did a great job of pressuring the ball, forcing turnovers, and controlling the pace right from the start.”

Junior Damion Hunt led all scorers with 17 points on 7-of-9 shooting, adding three steals and three rebounds. Juniors Brealien Jones and senior Bill Greathouse chipped in 11 points each, with Greathouse also posting a team-high six assists. Sophomore J. Gonzalez added six points, four assists and four steals, while senior Danny Goodman finished with eight points and two steals.

Eight different Apaches scored, a trend Keane said reflects the team’s growth.

“We had a bunch of different players contribute to the scoring effort, and that’s always good to see,” Keane said. “It makes it tough on an opposing defense when so many different guys are making plays for each other.”

Tuesday’s game was also the first played after the Apaches held their first full practice with the football athletes back in the rotation following the fall playoff run. That added depth showed in the team’s pace and intensity.

“This group plays hard together,” Keane said. “We’ve had two practices with our full team, and we definitely saw an improvement from last week in some of the core values we emphasize day to day.”

Senior guard Bill Greathouse said the team felt the difference immediately.

“After that practice — and open gym too — everyone came together,” he said. “We really got along, and the football guys were able to fit right in.”

Greathouse, who filled the box score with his passing and steady offense, said the team’s chemistry is quickly becoming its strength.

“We slowed down a little bit early, but we got back into it,” he said. “Once we settled in, we really played together. When we’re moving the ball and trusting each other, that’s when we’re at our best.”

With tournament season beginning this weekend, Keane said the focus now turns to tightening details and continuing to raise the team’s ceiling.

“At this point in the season, there’s no time to let a game — good or bad — linger,” he said. “We have five games this weekend against really good competition, and we have a lot we have to fix to be where we want to be. We’re focused on improving each day and getting ourselves ready for district.”

For Greathouse, the upcoming stretch carries the added meaning of his senior season.

“I’m excited,” he said. “I get to play more games in my last season, and I’m just excited to be with the team. We’ve got a good group, and we want to keep getting better every game. Go Apaches.”

Gonzales improves to 25–26 on the season and will continue tournament play later this week.