Friday, Dec. 21, 2001 | 11:24 a.m.
Looking at Thursday's results, area basketball fans might not have guessed it has been 16 years since Southern Nevada produced its last Holiday Prep Classic champion.
Local Class 4A schools blitzed through the first round of the 80-team tournament, going 13-5 and advancing in the winner's bracket of all five brackets.
In Millennium Cup play, Bishop Gorman moved within a win of a potential showdown with east-side power Green Valley. The Gaels (7-0) rolled over Andrew Hill (Calif.) 78-61 behind 24 points, seven rebounds and four steals from C.J. Watson.
Brandon Knott and Mark Hill added 16 and 13 points, respectively, for the state's top-ranked team, which built an early 27-12 lead and never looked back, withstanding a 40-point onslaught from the Falcons' Jayson Obazuaye.
"We've been talking to the guys about not starting slowly, because we've done that in our first six games," Gorman coach Grant Rice said. "Against these teams we can't afford to come out sluggish."
Gorman will face Bonner (N.C.), a 72-60 winner over Carson (Calif.), today at 8:15 p.m. at Green Valley.
Durango (3-6), the area's third Millennium entry, fell into the consolation round with a 76-55 loss to Denver East (Colo.).
Cheyenne dominated St. Mary's (Ariz.) to open Gold Cup competition, blasting the Knights 91-65. Johnny Wheeler scored 23 points and grabbed seven rebounds and Keith Richardson added 16 points for the Desert Shields (11-1).
Desert Pines advanced in the Gold Cup draw, going on a late 8-0 run to defeat Stratford (Texas) 45-41. Nick Porter led the Jaguars (7-1) with 18 points and eight rebounds.
Cimarron-Memorial (6-3) also marched on in the Gold Cup, holding off Strake Jesuit (Texas) 68-65 behind 30 points from Robert Young and 26 from Jason Petrimoulx.
In Silver Cup competition, Valley (8-2) bested Arvada West (Colo.) 76-64, with Chris Tisdell leading four players in double figures with 22 points. Palo Verde (10-4) also won in Silver Cup play, getting 18 points and nine rebounds from Todd LaMasters in a 67-49 victory over George Washington (Colo.).
Mojave improved to 9-1 on the season with a 76-65 win over Vista (Calif.) in the Bronze Cup. Anthony Egnor and Mike McWilliams scored 17 and 15 points, respectively for the Rattlers. Silverado (3-8) also stayed alive in Bronze play, topping Ross Sheppard Secondary (Alberta, Canada) 44-33.
As fate would have it, all five of the Crusaders' starters were in the delayed vehicle, which arrived midway through the first half. The Spartans took advantage, building a 34-27 halftime lead en route to a 68-65 upset of the previously-unbeaten Texas team.
"I'm feeling much better, but I decided not to come early because I know I'd stay the whole day," McKay said.
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