Gaels hang on for win over GV

Matt O'Brien

Wednesday, Feb. 17, 1999 | 10:28 a.m.

On paper, it seemed like a mismatch. Green Valley's girls basketball team, the No. 4 seed from the Sunrise Division, was traveling to Bishop Gorman to take on the Gaels, the Sunset Division champions and No. 3 ranked team in the state.

But those close to both programs knew not to anticipate a blowout. They undoubtedly recalled the Gators' first trip to Gorman earlier this season -- a four-point Gaels victory -- and expected more of the same. And that's exactly what they got as Gorman, in front of a small but enthusiastic home crowd, narrowly defeated Green Valley 55-49 Tuesday in the first round of the 4A Southern Zone tournament.

The victory allows the Gaels (25-3), defending zone champions, to advance to the semifinal round and gives them an automatic berth in next week's state tournament. The loss ends the Gators' season and marks the second consecutive year they've bowed out in the opening round.

Paige Sutton, recently selected to the All-Sunset Division first team, showed why many prep hoop fans consider her the best player in the Southern zone. The 6-2 Nebraska signee poured in 22 points and pulled down nine rebounds (both game highs) to spearhead the victory.

"When we go away from (Sutton), we're not too solid," Gorman first-year coach Sheryl Krmpotich confessed. "She really makes a lot of things happen for us. She's our go-to player."

With Green Valley's 2-3 zone collapsing on Sutton in the fourth quarter, Liz Cansdale and Jackie Munch stepped up for the Gaels. Munch, a reserve forward, had all five of her points in the final frame and Cansdale, who finished the game with 13 points, hit four of five free throws down the stretch to preserve the win.

Green Valley (12-11) was paced by Jenna Hortizuela and Rachel Andre, who had 13 points apiece.

"We're pleased with our season, but we wanted to go further than this," said Green Valley coach Alma Randolph. "It breaks my heart that it's over for our seniors."

* BASIC 57, CIMARRON-MEMORIAL 46: The Wolves (19-5) earned a return trip to the state tournament after a one-year absence behind Jennifer Kline's 23 points and 18 rebounds. Basic point guard Rana Brown left the game in the third quarter with an injury, but returned in the fourth and finished with 17 points. The Spartans end the season at 17-13.

* SILVERADO 62, BONANZA 50: The No. 5 Skyhawks (14-5) overcame a 29-point effort from Bengal forward Ronda Williams to advance. Nikki Hitchens scored 19 points for Silverado, while teammates Jayme Connors and Stormy Hanson added 16 and 12 points, respectively. Shastian Gago scored 13 points for Bonanza (10-7).

* LAS VEGAS 65, CHEYENNE 46: The ninth-ranked Wildcats (20-6) built a 25-4 lead after one quarter and never looked back. Lillie Williams scored 20 points to lead Las Vegas, with Wildcat Jasmere Kirby adding 15 points. Tenecia Jackson scored 19 in the losing cause for the Desert Shields (17-13).