Gorman outduels Western

Spencer Patterson

Thursday, Jan. 27, 2000 | 12:02 p.m.

For most of the season, Bishop Gorman's boys basketball team has held down the top spot in the Sun's statewide poll.

This week, the Gaels have ample opportunity to justify that ranking, with three tough contests on the road in the span of five days.

After traveling to Utah for an 11-point win over Pine View on Monday, Gorman got back to more important matters on Wednesday night, picking up a key 66-60 win over conference foe Western.

On Friday, the Gaels will try for their third road win of the week against Durango -- the only club in town with a win over Gorman this season.

"Every game is going to be tough," said Gaels coach Jeff Wagonseller, whose club improved to 18-3, 3-1 Northwest Division. "You better come ready to play every night in this division."

Gorman took control of Wednesday's game early, building a 20-5 lead behind a slew of second-chance baskets and Western turnovers. The Gaels took a page out of the Warriors' playbook, pressing the hosts and forcing them into seven first-quarter turnovers.

"It's the old adage that teams that press don't like to get pressed," Wagonseller said. "I've seen them press harder, so I think our press used up some of their energy."

Trailing 34-21 at halftime, the Warriors (13-8, 2-2) began to close the gap in the second half behind the inside play of Modesto Fowler (20 points, nine rebounds, two blocks). The Western center battled Gorman's Jason Carter (16 points, 12 rebounds) to a virtual draw, and helped his club get within three points, 56-53, with three minutes to play.

But Gorman guard Dinard Taylor broke out of a game-long shooting slump to sink a key 3-pointer, and a Carter dunk moments later all but sealed the win. From there, the Gaels made 5-of-6 free throws to move into a first-place tie in the division with Durango.

"I really think the key tonight was Jason Carter," Wagonseller said. "He played their big guy strong inside and stayed out of foul trouble."

On Friday, the Gaels will try to take sole possession of the division lead against the Trailblazers.