Top-ranked Gorman roars past Durango at the Mack

Spencer Patterson

Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2001 | 11:21 a.m.

Like so much else this season, Bishop Gorman's boys basketball team made the adjustment to an unfamiliar environment look easy Monday night.

Playing a rare prep game at the Thomas & Mack Center, the Gaels came out smoking and never cooled off, trouncing rival Durango 85-65 for their ninth straight victory.

The game -- played before the Las Vegas Bandits' IBL game against Trenton -- gave the state's top-ranked team a chance to preview an arena setting before next month's 4A State Tournament, held at Nevada-Reno's Lawlor Events Center.

Gaels' coach Bob Hubbard, whose club shot a scorching 58.2 percent from the floor, said the larger court size complements his team's style to perfection.

"We were able to speed things up, and it makes it harder for teams to press us. By spacing the court, we were able to get some easy baskets," Hubbard said.

Bishop Gorman (20-2, 5-0 Southwest) dominated from start to finish, running out to a 21-9 lead after a first quarter in which it shot a siz- zling 71.4 percent (10-of-14). All five starters got onto the scoreboard in the first eight minutes, setting the tone for a contest that would see the Gaels get contributions from every player.

Guard Dinard Taylor led the way, dispelling the notion that cavernous surroundings affect perimeter shooters with a 10-of-16 showing from the field en route to a team-high 27 points.

"We got here early and took some shots, and that helped us out a lot," said Taylor, who also dished out six assists. "Depth perception is so different and then you add in the fans, but I got used to it in warmups."

Center Jason Carter anchored a ferocious effort on the defensive end, controlling the interior and blocking six shots to go with 12 rebounds, eight points and five rebounds.

Guard C.J. Watson provided a spark on both ends, scoring 15 points on 7-of-10 shooting, grabbing five rebounds and playing his usual brand of intense perimeter defense.

And forward Paul Bania had what Hubbard termed "his best game of the season," chipping in 10 points, five assists, two blocks and all-out hustle despite the lopsided score.

The Gaels' victory completed a season sweep of arch-rival Durango (18-8, 1-4), with Gorman winning the two games by an average of 17.5 points. Last year, the Gaels beat the Trailblazers in overtime for the 4A state title.

"The heat was on me because I gave up a home game, but everything good about high school basketball was here tonight," Hubbard said.

"You've got to be willing to step out and do some things if you want your program to grow."

Durango's Martrel Johnson led all players with 29 points and 15 rebounds, but his efforts weren't enough, as the Blazers fell behind by 29 points before whittling the lead to 20 with a late surge.

Edmond Parotte was the only other Durango player in double figures, finishing with 15 points.

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