“We practiced it every day. I worked out at home on my own just for this moment. I watched video every day. It was in the back of my mind every day.” Arroyo’s Primitivo Gomez after beating Gabrielinio 67-66 in early January. El Primo is averaging a Valley best 25 points to go with 10 boards per game. Arroyo and Gabrielino meet again on Wednesday.
By Steve Ramirez
Arroyo’s boys basketball team edged Gabrielino, 67-66, when the teams played for first place in the Mission Valley League on Jan. 11 in San Gabriel.
A similar nailbiter is expected Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. when the rivals meet at Arroyo with first place on the line.
The host Knights, who are 16-6 overall and 6-0 in league play, are led by senior swing player Primitivo Gomez, who is averaging 25 points a game – including a team-high 36 3-pointers – and 10 rebounds per game.
The Knights also feature senior swing players Edgar Lupercio, who is averaging 10 points a game, and Ryan Tran, who averages 9.8.
Gabrielino (16-6, 5-1), which won league last season, counters with seniors Tyler Shimamoto, who averages 22 points a game, and Elijah Peters, who averages 15.
Gomez scored 30 points in the first meeting in helping the Knights build a 20-point lead before they held on for a one-point victory. It was the school’s first win over Gabrielino in the past 10 meetings.
“We didn’t put the nail in the coffin,” Gomez said after the game. “We made a couple of mistakes that we could have avoided, but we got smart.”
Arroyo now must do it again.