Gorman gets opening victory but Gators make it interesting

Nick Christensen

Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2004 | 9:11 a.m.

There were moments Tuesday at Bishop Gorman High School that served as a reminder why the Gaels' boys basketball team is ranked among the best in the country.

And, there were moments that reminded everyone in the gym that no matter how good a team is on paper, it still has to play the game.

Gorman led by as many as 12 points in the first quarter, and fended off a Green Valley comeback in an up-tempo second half as the Gaels won their opener 64-57.

Bishop Gorman jumped out to an early 22-10 lead behind Kashif Watson's 12 first-quarter points on 3-for-3 shooting from 3-point range. The Gaels were able to hold onto a 12-point lead for most of the first half, with Green Valley unable to start to pull close.

The second half was another story, as Green Valley outscored the Gaels 14-9 in the third quarter, sparked by the first volley of Matt Gonzales' 17 second-half points. The Gators tied the game at 52 midway through the fourth quarter, and were down by just 1 when point guard Marcus Lawrence hit a basket then a 3-point jumper with under a minute to go to seal the win for Bishop Gorman (1-0).

Up to that point, Lawrence was 1-for-10 from the field in the game.

"He took the big shot," Gorman coach Grant Rice said. "It was one of those things that if it goes in, it's a great shot. If he misses it, it's not -- he should have taken it inside."

Lawrence said he probably should have known better, even if it worked out for the better that he didn't.

"When I came down, I felt in the zone," Lawrence said. "Chief (Kashif Watson) passed it to me, and being the point guard, I probably should have known better, but I didn't look at him."

Watson, who had just two points in the second quarter and five more in the third on 3-for-9 shooting over those two periods, came alive for 11 fourth-quarter points to help seal the win for Gorman. His 33 points led all scorers.

"We started coming back, and made sure we kept our composure," Watson said. "It wasn't so much I was feeling it tonight, it's just working hard and practicing jump shots."

The Gators certainly had plenty to leave Gorman happy about despite losing their opener. Before the season, first-year coach Adam Patai sounded skeptical of how his team would mesh on the court. After the sluggish start, the Gators seemed to fire on all cylinders.

"The effort was very good; there was a lack of execution a bit in spots," Patai said. "I still think we're a work in progress, and if we continue to build on our efforts every day, I like our chances."

Gonzales finished with 24 points, and sophomore forward Billy White, who was at Gorman last year, added 11 points for Green Valley, which hosts defending state champion Palo Verde on Thursday. Gorman plays state runner-up Foothill on Friday.