The firepower that defined Gilbert boys basketball last season didn't return as graduation has its downside.

So Gilbert coach Jay Caserio is wondering where scoring will come from in the 2016-2017 campaign. It may be painful some days, but the Tigers performed the way Caserio mapped it out on Monday in their 53-38 victory over Williams Field to open the Welcome to the Jungle Invite at Gilbert High. It was the season opener for both schools.

"What I liked most was we did a great job of being patient on offense," Caserio said. "We worked the ball, and for the most part took the right shot.

Last year's top scorers Chris Bowling and Jacob Nicolds are on to college (NAU) and an LDS mission , respectively . The team's top scorer off the bench last year and perimeter threat, Steven Newendyke, is sidelined from injury to begin the year, So it is left to defense and patience to rule the court for the near term for Gilbert.

Junior Trajon Hawkins, playing off the bench each half, led Gilbert with 12 points. He connected for eight points in the second period to helo Gilbert gain separation from Williams Field after a low-scoiring first quarter. Hawkins quick hands and up-tempo game led to a couple successive baskets in the fourth period to finish off Williams Field for good.

Starting guards Caden Towt and Nick LaMancusa added 11 points apiece for Gilbert. LaMancusa thrived at the free-throw line making 9-of-10 attempts. The Tigers overall were 20-of-23 from the line. 

Williams Field led most of the first quarter and the teams settled for a 7-7 tie after the first eight minutes. Gilbert led 19-10 at halftime, but neither team had shooting percentages of note. Williams Field made 3 of 23 and Gilbert 5 of 20. Williams Field was 5 of 32 after three periods. By early in the final period they Black Hawks trailed by 20. 

Williams Field, facing a similar scenario to Gilbert in losing a top-scorer and center Wyatt Lowell (25 ppg) to graduation, is looking for new offensive leadership. Junior guard Duan Tate stepped up in the opener. He led Williams Field with 14 points. -- 13 in the second half.

Tate and junior guard Trent Worden teamed up for 18 of Williams Field's 21 points in the fourth quarter. Not enough to erase the frigid shooting of the first three quarters.