Thursday, Feb. 26, 2009 | 11:49 p.m.
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Bishop Gorman would never describe its 52-37 win over Hug Thursday night as ugly. No game is ugly when it gets you into the Nevada State championship game.
That said, the Gaels probably wouldn't enter this one in any beauty contests either.
"I wouldn't say it was the prettiest, to say it best," said Bishop Gorman coach Grant Rice. "We didn't play well offensively, we were really sloppy. We had 21 turnovers and that's not going to get it done [Friday] night, that's for sure."
As sloppy as the Gaels were on offense however, they were dominant on the defensive end, forcing 24 turnovers and holding the Hawks to just 34.2 percent shooting from the field. They all but shut down the Hawks' top offensive threat, senior guard Duke Williams, limiting him to three points on 1-of-11 shooting.
"Defensively we held them to 37 points so I was very happy with that," Rice said. "We really didn't press much, couple times we trapped, but other than it was just hard-nosed, man-to-man defense.
"We knew Duke had a great season, we told [senior guard] Kylel Coleman to keep him in front and he really did a great job. If you can limit their best player like that, then we're happy every time."
In addition to hassling Williams on defense, Coleman led the Gaels with 15 points. Coleman was the only player from Bishop Gorman to score in double figures.
The biggest difference for the Gaels came from the bench, where they outscored their Hawks' counterpart 20-2. Senior forward Xavier Grimble scored eight points and junior Taylor Spencer added seven.
"We went kind of big in the second half and I think that did a little better for us," Rice said. "I was really happy with Xavier and Taylor, I think both those guys gave us a huge lift off our bench."
The Hawks fell to an early 16-9 lead and never recovered, trailing by as much as 18 in the fourth quarter. With Williams suffering through an off night, Hug relied heavily on their big men. Forward Tre Johnson led the team with 12 points, eight rebounds and three blocked shots while forward Courtney Gardner added seven points, eight rebounds and three blocks.
Although the team managed defensive stops here and there, turnovers prevented them from really cutting into the Bishop Gorman lead.
"More than anything else it was the 24 turnovers," said Hug coach Brian Voyles. "If we had got eight more shots up, eight less turnovers, that's eight more times we either make one or do a good job on the boards. The turnovers were huge, they put enough pressure on us and we made the mistakes."
The Gaels will face Palo Verde in the championship game, a team they beat just one week ago in the Sunset Regional finals, 60-55. After a close game the first time around, it's a rematch many are looking forward to see.
"We're excited and I'm sure Palo is too," Rice said. "It seems like it always comes down to either Cheyenne and Gorman or Palo and Gorman. It's great for the fans and it's great for the schools. I'm sure it will be a packed house at the Orleans."
True to its namesake, The Orleans gives visitors a year-round Mardi Gras feeling with a New Orleans French Quarter environment.
Located just a short way from the center of gambling on the Strip, The Orleans offers a collection of attractions that helps to draw in a mix of locals and visitors.
In addition to the 1,885 hotel rooms and 134,000-square foot casino, the property has a 70-lane bowling center, an 18-screen movie theater, an 850-seat showroom and a 9,500-seat arena, home to the Las Vegas Wranglers hockey team.
The hotel also has 14 dining options, including Canal Street, The Prime Rib Loft, Koji Sushi Bar & China Bistro and Big Al’s Oyster Bar.
Brett Okamoto can be reached at 948-7817 or [email protected].
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