Gorman, Durango join forces for tournament

Spencer Patterson

Friday, July 14, 2000 | 10:43 a.m.

When it comes to Nevada prep basketball, there's no rivalry more intense these days than Durango vs. Bishop Gorman.

Since Durango opened in the fall of 1993, the teams have battled for division, zone and state superiority, with one club's greatest victory often coming at the other's expense.

That was never more true than last winter, when Bishop Gorman captured the 2000 4A state title with a thrilling 81-70 overtime win over the Trailblazers.

Yet on Saturday, just five months removed from that epic battle, Gaels and Blazers will take the court in a most unfamiliar position -- as teammates on the Big Time Tournament entry Las Vegas Stars.

Coached by Durango's Al LaRocque, the Stars will be Southern Nevada's lone representative in the 312-team event's elite "open" division. The squad was originally intended as a collection of the area's top individual talent, but ultimately evolved into a combination of the best from Gorman and Durango.

"Our philosophy has always been let the good players play on one team so they can maximize their exposure," LaRocque said. "The Gorman coaches and players understand the importance of that."

Added first-year Gorman coach Robert Smith, "I just felt it would be a great opportunity for our top players to be seen more as part of an all-star team."

The Stars will feature five Durango players: junior center Martrel Johnson, junior point guard Frank Brown, junior forward Brian Young, senior guard Jay Sterrod and incoming freshman guard Tywain McTyer, brother of TCU senior Thomas McTyer, a one-time Blazer.

That group will be joined by three Gaels who played major roles in helping their squad to the 2000 title: senior center Jason Carter -- considered the state's top prospect -- senior forward Paul Bania and senior guard Dinard Taylor.

"We've played with (the Durango players) in the summer before, at parks and open gyms," Carter said. "But it's never been anything this serious. We're trying to represent Vegas."

Rounding out the Stars' roster will be a player with ties to both schools, senior forward Justin Burns. After playing for Durango as a freshman, Burns left town for two years before returning and enrolling at Gorman in the spring.

Though ineligible to play for the Gaels by the state's transfer rules, Burns is expected to appeal his status this fall. If that fails, he would be unable to play for a private school as a senior, making a return to Durango a possibility.

"I don't care if he comes to Gorman or Durango or somewhere else," LaRocque said. "I just want him playing somewhere."

Those four players aside, Smith will also field a Bishop Gorman squad in the Big Time, something that should help his younger players prepare for the rigors of varsity play.

"It gives us a chance to play our players who don't normally get a lot of time," Smith said. "It's a good chance for them to see some good competition."

The Stars open tournament play Saturday against South Carolina's Beach Ball Select at 5 p.m. in Durango's main gym. The locals will also play twice on Sunday.

Also entered in the field are teams from Bonanza, Green Valley, Palo Verde, Cheyenne, Silverado, Valley and Western, along with the Las Vegas Select and Mad Moves, Inc. -- two teams with various local players.