WATSONVILLE — Jason Gallo, the St. Francis Sharks’ star senior big man, wasn’t afraid to take the last shot. He wasn’t afraid to trust his teammates with that responsibility either. And he wasn’t afraid to live up to his outgoing and goofy reputation — at all times.
Singing an Alicia Keys song for karaoke in front of dozens during a team trip wasn’t out of the ordinary for Gallo. And trying to squeeze his 6-foot-5-inch frame under a limbo bar with hundreds watching at the school’s “Battle for the Paddle” contest almost seemed too mundane.
“I’m an entertainer,” Gallo said. “I like to make people smile. I like to make people laugh.”
And the basketball court was far and away his favorite venue. Always gesturing toward the crowd for more cheers and slapping his big mitts together after finishing through contact, Gallo was unabashedly himself when the lights shone down on the hardwood and the ball was thrown into the air.
“That’s him,” said St. Francis head coach Ed Kelly. “He’s not worried to give you everything he’s got. He’s not afraid to be who he is.”
For being the fearless and consistent heart of the Sharks’ squad, the Pajaronian is naming Gallo our Player of the Year for boys basketball.
A rebounding machine with a smooth jumper and soft touch around the rim, Gallo helped St. Francis notch the program’s fourth consecutive 20-win season. The Sharks finished 20-6 overall and advanced to the Central Coast Section Division V semifinals, where they lost to Pinewood in triple overtime.
They also notched a 10-2 record in Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League action and took second in the league behind the champion Santa Cruz Cardinals. For his regular brilliance in league play, Gallo earned a spot on the All-SCCAL First Team for the second straight season.
With fellow senior forward Chase Watkins missing for the first fourth of the season, Gallo led the team in points (19) and rebounds (12) per game and also managed to get his teammates involved. He averaged 2.3 assists and helped the team’s eight new players adjust to their roles and the speed of the varsity game. He scored when he needed to, passed to the open man and anchored the St. Francis defense with his long wingspan.
“With Chase out, he became the primary focus both offensively and defensively and I thought he did a fantastic job,” Kelly said. “He did a really good job of taking what the defense gave him and playing within himself on defense.”
He impressively finished his high school career as the program’s all-time leading scorer (1,414) and rebounder (963). The rebounding record was somewhat expected, Gallo said, but the points record was a nice surprise.
“I didn’t think I was going to be that high, honestly,” Gallo said. “I knew I was up there, but I didn’t know how many I had… I’m hoping they don’t break. I’m pretty sure the rebounds is going to be up there for a while, but the points, who knows?”
Gallo’s game had very humble beginnings just a handful of miles away from the school’s campus. Starting in the seventh grade, he and his father would walkover from their house in the Vista Montana neighborhood to the asphalt basketball court at Franich Park for 8 a.m. one-on-one workouts. They started with the basics — full-court layups, rebounds and free throws — and as his game started developing they added hook shots, 3-pointers, pull-up jumpers and dribbling drills.
Gallo’s love for basketball started growing through the workouts, and his relationship with his dad also flourished.
“I think it brought us closer together. We bonded over basketball,” Gallo said. “I have a deep respect for him. I listen to what he says.”
Gallo said he plans to continue playing basketball in college and is leaning toward playing at the junior college level next season with hopes of transferring out to a four-year college. Still growing into his 6-foot-5 frame, Gallo said he still has plenty of room for improvement in the coming years.
COACH OF THE YEAR
• Ed Kelly, St. Francis — A year after losing eight seniors from a team that won league, section and regional titles, Kelly was able to squeeze the most out of a young and inexperienced squad.
St. Francis finished second in the SCCAL and advanced to the CCS D-V semifinals for the third straight season.
THE REST OF THE TEAM
• Christian Quintero, Pajaro Valley — The high-scoring sophomore guard averaged 21.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 2.4 steals for the Grizzlies, who finished with a 13-12 overall record and advanced to the CCS playoffs.
Quintero was named the Monterey Bay League Pacific division Sophomore of the Year and earned a spot on the league’s first team.
• Rashaun Wooden, Aptos — The speedy senior guard averaged 13.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.5 steals for Aptos, which notched a 17-10 overall record and made the CCS playoffs for the eighth straight season.
Wooden made the All-SCCAL First Team for the second consecutive season.
• Chase Watkins, St. Francis — After missing the first quarter of the season with an abdominal injury, Watkins was back to his old self when he finally returned to the court for SCCAL play.
He averaged 18.0 points, 8.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game en route to All-SCCAL First Team honors.
He finished his four-year varsity career with the second-most points in program history (1,320).
• Lucas Schmidt, M.V.C. — The Mustangs’ 6-foot-9 center averaged 11.3 points, 11.7 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.2 steals and 3.2 blocks per game while helping the team to a 15-9 overall finish and the CCS playoffs.
Schmidt, who will play for NCAA Division I North Dakota next season, made the All-MBL-Gabilan division First Team for the second straight year.
• Michael Greene, M.V.C. — Greene led the Mustangs in points (12.9), assists (2.8) and steals (2.0) per game.
He was named to the All-MBL-Gabilan division First Team for his efforts, which included a 31-point game against Salinas.
• Blake Welle, Aptos — Aptos’ 6-foot-5 center/forward averaged a team-high 16.2 points and 7.7 rebounds while earning a spot on the All-SCCAL Second Team for the second time in as many years.
