Las Vegas Sun

March 18, 2024

Prep Basketball:

Bishop Gorman’s last-second heroics sink Spring Valley

Expanded coverage

Bishop Gorman junior guard John Loyd is the one player Spring Valley doesn't want with the ball in his hands with the game on the line.

Loyd knocked down a three-point shot as time expired in overtime to lift the Gaels to a 78-75 overtime victory on Wednesday night. It was the second time this season he hit the game winner against the Grizzlies.

"I was tired and didn't feel like playing no more, so it was good to hit that shot," Loyd said. "I like crunch time. It's when I feel I can strive the most. The team looks up to me and kind of depends on me."

McAlister was disappointed his team lost to Gorman again on a last second shot. The Gaels defeated Spring Valley 52-51 on Dec. 16.

"Last time (Loyd) went coast to coast with a lay-up. This time he knocked down a three with no time left on the clock," Spring Valley coach Phil McAlister said. "Big time players make big time shots."

The final shot was set up when Spring Valley tied the game 75-75 as senior guard Jesse Chippoletti knocked down a pair of free throws with 10 seconds left in overtime.

Loyd received the inbounds pass and drove down the floor, pulled up for the three point shot and let fly.

"I came off the screen and they jumped somebody at me so I had stopped and they both flew by me, so I just saw an opening. My shot was feeling good all day, so I shot it and it went in," Loyd said.

Spring Valley led just once in the game at 68-66 when Chippoletti knocked down a pair of free throws with 2:41 left in overtime.

However, Gorman freshman forward Shabazz Muhammad tied the game back up on the ensuing possession and the Gaels would not fall behind again. Muhammad was the game's leading scorer with 22 points.

Loyd added 17, while Spring Valley was paced by Chippoletti's 20.

Bishop Gorman led by as many as 17 points in the second half, when the Gaels became complacent, according to coach Grant Rice.

"Third quarter was okay. Fourth quarter we were just really confused out there on offense and didn't do a very good job and Spring Valley made some shots to get back in the game," he said. "Once that momentum swings, a lot of things change."

The Grizzlies switched to a zone defense in the second half, which proved to be productive as the Gaels scored just 11 points in the third quarter and 10 points in the fourth.

"They went into that zone a little bit. We don't mind playing against the zone, we actually like it. At the end of the half we got a really good penetrate and kick," Rice said. "Our shots just didn't fall."

Gorman held a 66-63 lead in the final minute when senior guard Tyler Lewis drained a three with 19 seconds to play to tie the game. Loyd had a chance to win the game at the end of regulation, but his shot with 0.6 seconds on the clock came up short.

Brent Hinckley can be reached at 990-7822 or [email protected].

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