Gaels cruise by McQueen to earn spot in title game

Spencer Patterson

Friday, Feb. 25, 2000 | 11:25 a.m.

RENO -- In the hours before the Bishop Gorman boys basketball team's state semifinal contest on Thursday, Gaels coach Jeff Wagonseller issued a challenge to forward Dyante Perkins.

Perkins' mission: Try to shut down McQueen swingman Karl Aaker, a deadly sharpshooter averaging nearly 20 points this season.

Just one day earlier, Aaker had scorched Las Vegas High for four first-half 3-pointers. Those shots helped the Lancers build an early lead, allowing the northern squad to run its deadly spread offense and post a stunning four-point win.

Wagonseller knew that if Aaker could be controlled, the Lancers would have trouble putting points on the board. And if they couldn't get a lead, they wouldn't be able to milk the clock.

So the Gorman coach turned to Perkins, a hard-nosed 6-3 junior best known as his school's starting quarterback.

"He gave me a challenge and said, 'Let's see what you can do with him,' " Perkins said. "He told me to say in his face."

Perkins did just that, shadowing Aaker from start to finish and holding him to just three first-half points and 10 in the ballgame.

With Aaker unable to get on track, the Lancers' stall was never a factor as the Gaels rolled to a 61-32 victory to advance to tonight's 4A state championship game against Durango.

"I think our defense was wonderful tonight, and probably the best effort was Dyante covering (Aaker)," Wagonseller said. "We told him it was a challenge tonight."

Showing the toughness that will likely earn him a Division I football scholarship next season, Perkins spent the first half fighting through screens to stay with Aaker. The Lancers' top threat went without a shot attempt in the first quarter, and managed just 1-of-4 shooting before halftime.

"I followed him wherever he went," Perkins said. "They set a lot of screens, but I love running through screens. I enjoyed guarding him. I would rather play defense and help the team win than score points."

Perkins scored just four points, but he had more than enough help from his teammates in that department.

Forward Paul Bania had the hot hand early, sinking three jumpers and a layup in the first half to help the Gaels (26-5) to a 23-16 halftime lead.

From there, guard Dinard Taylor took over, scoring 12 of his game-high 15 points after the break. His 3-pointer as time ran out in the third quarter gave Gorman a 43-23 lead, effectively sealing the Lancers' fate.

"I thought the third quarter was huge, the back-breaking quarter," Wagonseller said.

Agreed McQueen coach Eric Swain, "I think maybe they smelled blood in the third quarter."

Center Jason Carter was a force in the middle for Gorman throughout the contest, blocking four shots and grabbing six offensive rebounds to go with his 14 points.

Guard C.J. Watson did a solid job handling point guard duties for injured senior Danny Gomez, who sat out with a groin injury. Watson finished with 10 points, five rebounds and four steals.

Wagonseller said Gomez might play in tonight's title contest against rival Durango, which begins at 6:40 p.m.

"I think if we really had to tonight we could have gone to him," Wagonseller said. "But our trainer said to go tomorrow, he shouldn't go tonight."