Las Vegas Sun

March 19, 2024

High School Basketball:

Gorman scores game’s initial 19 points in state semifinal win

Bishop Gorman

Christopher DeVargas

Bishop Gorman High basketball players Stephen Zimmerman, Nick Blair and Chase Jeter before the 2014-15 season.

Prep Sports Now

On to state

Las Vegas Sun sports reporters Ray Brewer and Case Keefer glance at the Division-1 and Division 1-A state tournaments. Are we bound to wind up with repeat champions in both classes?

That was quick.

Three-time defending high school state basketball champion Bishop Gorman didn’t surrender any points today in the first quarter against Northern Nevada’s Galena in the state semifinals, leading 19-0 after eight minutes and coasting into Friday’s state championship game with a 75-41 victory.

When Galena finally scored in the opening minute of the second quarter, most of the fans — even Gorman supporters — at the Orleans Arena cheered.

Galena went on a 10-2 scoring run to open the second quarter and had an 11-2 spurt in the third quarter, but Gorman’s lead was never in danger.

“I thought our defense was good the first quarter,” Gorman coach Grant Rice said. “They still got three or four open looks they could have knocked down. We were fortunate to get through that.”

Chase Jeter had a game-high 23 points and Stephen Zimmerman added 18 for Gorman, who had 10 players score. Nick Blair finished with eight points for Gorman and three others — Ugo Amadi, Charles O’Bannon and Travis Rice — scored five.

Gorman advances to play Palo Verde, who beat Canyon Springs in the other semifinal, for the state championship at 8 p.m. Friday at the Orleans Arena. A Gorman win would equal Virginia City’s record of 17 state championships and be the program’s sixth title in seven seasons.

Just last week Gorman topped Palo Verde 82-46 in the Sunset Regional championship game, but coach Rice knows beating the Panthers again won’t be easy. It’s the fourth meeting this season between the Summerlin rivals.

“I'm happy for Palo. They have done a good job,” Rice said. “Coach (Paul) Sanchez is one of the best guys in basketball. I like their team. I said that even after we beat them last week. They are a dangerous team. They realize that now. ... We know Palo is on a roll.”

Ray Brewer can be reached at 702-990-2662 or [email protected]. Follow Ray on Twitter at twitter.com/raybrewer21

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