Gonzales Closes Non-District Play With Split, Prepares for District 28-4A Opener

The Gonzales varsity basketball team split its final two non-district games of the season, taking down Sinton at home Friday night before falling to state-ranked Wimberley on the road Monday.

The Apaches got off to a slow start offensively against the Pirates, but gave up just 10 first-half points with a strong defensive effort. Gonzales opened the third-quarter on a 23-4 run to open the lead up before closing out a 50-36 win. Brealien Jones had 12 points, two rebounds and two steals, Danny Goodman had nine points and 12 rebounds, Damion Hunt had seven points and four assists and Jayvion Gonzalez finished with six points and nine rebounds.

“We didn’t shoot it well early, but our defense set the tone,” Gonzales head coach Brady Keane said. “Holding a team to 10 points in a half gives you a chance every night. We had some guys out in the first half and their return to the court brought a new energy to the team that echoed throughout the gym. It was fun to see us playing together the way we were.”

Wimberley was a difficult matchup for the Apaches and the Texans, who returned all five starters from last year’s regional finalist team, jumped out to an early lead and never looked back. Bill Greathouse (10 points, eight rebounds), Damion Hunt (nine points, six rebounds), and Brealien Jones (eight points, five rebounds, four steals) led the way in that game for Gonzales.

“Wimberley is a very experienced, physical team, and they made us pay early,” Keane said. “We We competed, but against a group like that you can’t afford slow starts and we turned the ball over too much to be able to keep pace offensively.”

The Apaches will now shift their focus to what appears to be a wide open District 28-4A race. Navarro, Cuero, San Antonio Kennedy and Gonzales all have similar records entering district play while La Vernia leads the way at 19-6. San Antonio Memorial is 1-16 entering district play.

Up first for the Apaches is Kennedy, and the Rockets are currently the hottest team in the district having won seven straight games over Comfort, San Antonio Lutheran, Lytle, Randolph, state-ranked San Antonio Cole, state-ranked Marion and San Antonio YMLA. Kennedy is led by junior Ayden Saunders (13.1 PPG, 47% 3-point shooter), junior Jaylon Hudson (11.3 PPG, 5.3 RPG) and freshman JJ Aragon (9.3 points, 4.0 RPG).

Gonzales is led by junior Damion Hunt (11.7 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 3.7 SPG), senior Danny Goodman (7.7 PPG, 7.6 RPG) and junior Brealien Jones (7.4 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 3.0 SPG).

The Apaches will take on the Rockets at 7:30 pm Friday night at Vic Salazar Gymnasium.

“This district is wide open, and every night is going to be a battle,” Keane said. “If we focus on us and what we control, we will have a chance to win every game we play. Right now we are looking forward to opening at home and finding a way to start 1-0.”