Centennial ends Bishop Gorman’s reign over Nevada in dramatic ending

Stephen R. Sylvanie / Special to the Home News

Centennial senior Deanna Daniels celebrates the Bulldogs’ 4A state championship victory over Bishop Gorman with teammate Alexis Bird (left) at the Orleans Arena on Friday night.

By Ray Brewer (contact)

Saturday, Feb. 28, 2009 | 12:17 a.m.

Alexis Byrd was not afraid to have the basketball in her hands with the state championship within reach.

After all, the Centennial guard had practiced this scenario hundreds of times at the end of practice this winter.

"I always say to myself, 'The state championship is on the line. You have to make these shots,'"‚ Byrd said. "When I got to the line, I knew we had it. I knew we were going to win the state championship."

Trailing Bishop Gorman by one point with time expiring in Friday's large-school girls state title game, Byrd was fouled attempting the potential winning shot with 0.5 seconds remaining.

The junior guard calmly sank both foul shots to lift Centennial to a thrilling 59-58 victory at the Orleans Arena to snap Gorman's streak of three straight state titles.

Moments after watching the second foul shot rattle in, Byrd became the center of a wild celebration underneath the basket. Roughly 200 Centennial students, most of which stood cheering from start to finish, stormed the court to join the festivities.

"She told me she was going to make the shots for the seniors," Centennial senior forward Johnna Brown said. "I had confidence in her."

Gorman's Chelsie Pitt scored an uncontested lay-up off an inbounds play with 16 seconds to play to give the Gaels their first lead since the first quarter, 58-57.

Centennial had three shots to win with under 10 seconds left before Yahindra Edwards was called for a foul on Byrd.

The rest is history as Byrd gave Centennial its first title since winning four consecutive crowns from 2002 to 2005. Gorman had won every year since.

"Alexis is a tough noodle," Centennial coach Karen Weitz said. "I had total confidence in her. All of my kids have the mental capacity to make those shots."

Weitz left Centennial for a college coaching job at the University of Pacific after the 2005 season but returned after one year. It took her time to rebuild the program.

"I knew I wasn't going to step right back in and win the state championship again," she said.

While Centennial's players and fans rejoiced after the dramatic ending, the mood was different on Gorman's bench. Some players cried while others sat in disbelief as their run of championships came to an end.

"We played our hearts out," Gorman coach Sheryl Krmpotich said. "There is nothing to be ashamed of or to feel sorry for if you play your heart out."

Byrd and Brown each had 15 points for Centennial while Deanna Daniels had 10 and Courtney Hayes added six.

Gorman got 15 points from guard Aaryn Ellenberg, and 14 a piece from Edwards and Dannielle Diamant.

Ray Brewer can be reached at 990-2662 or ray.brewer@hbcpub.com.