LV INVITATIONAL: Gaels smother Sabercats

Playing its fifth game in 47 hours, Bishop Gorman's girls basketball team probably should have been tired and a step slow on defense Saturday afternoon.

Instead, the host Gaels put on a defensive clinic for the first 18 minutes of their game against Castle View (Colo.).

Gorman held the Sabercats to two field goals and five points in the first half and didn't allow a point during a 13-minute stretch en route to a 64-40 win in the final game of the Las Vegas Invitational.

"We really got after it defensively," said Gorman coach Sheryl Krmpotich. "They played their butts off. No other team played five games in this tournament, and it just speaks volumes for still having that intensity and that defensive tenacity to shut a team down."

Jess Brown's basket with 11:05 left in the first half gave Castle View a 5-4 lead.

The next time the Sabercats scored was on a free throw by Shaina Smidt with 14:02 left in the second half — a span of 13:03. It ended a 27-0 run by Gorman. Castle View broke its field goal drought two possessions later when Megan Sutherland's basket with 13:05 to play cut the Gaels' lead to 35-8.

"The kids are starting to jell together a little bit more," Krmpotich said. "The chemistry is getting there, and they're learning each other's demeanors."

Gorman (7-0) played two games Thursday, one Friday and started Saturday with a 69-47 victory over Arbor View, but with a roster of 13 healthy players and with a healthy lead in each of the five games, the Gaels were able to rotate players and keep everyone fresh.

"We actually have numbers this year," Krmpotich said. "When you have a roster of 13 or 14 kids, you have the luxury of doing that, and we haven't had that in years. They're able to play uptempo, and when they get tired, we substitute."

Aja Phoumiphat, one of seven freshmen on the team, hit four 3-pointers and led a balanced Gorman offensive attack with 13 points. Megan Jacobs added 11 points, and Madison Washington scored 10 for Gorman, which led 57-19 with 5:15 to go before turning the game over to the bench.

"Having everybody involved is what we have worked on," Krmpotich said. "It's easy to defend one person. It's hard to defend four or five. We have shooters on the outside who can open things up or drive and kick."

Smidt led Castle View (4-4) with 14 points, and teammate Michaela Trainer scored 11.

Bishop Gorman 69, Arbor View 47 — Jacobs and Skylar Jackson each scored 14 points as the Gaels downed the Aggies.

Washington added 13 points for Gorman, which led 40-19 at the half.

Kalli Hosier paced Arbor View with 12 points.

Skyline (Utah) 59, Valley 38 — Barrett Jessop and Madison Grange each had 12 points and six rebounds to lead the Eagles by the Vikings.

Sarah Trela-Hoskins added 12 points for Skyline.

Hannah Gebreyesus paced Valley with 10 points.

Skyline (Utah) 65, Arbor View 57 — Cameron Mooney had 18 points as the Eagles rallied from a 31-29 halftime deficit to top the Aggies.

Grange and Trela-Hoskins each had 17 points for Skyline

Alaysia Reed led Arbor View with 18 points. Autumn Westmoreland had 11 points, and Kera Farmer scored 10 for the Aggies.

Desert Hills (Utah) 61, Coronado 40 — Ashley Beckstrand scored 23 points to lead the Thunder by the Cougars.

Desert Hills led just 35-31 early in the second half before going on a 26-6 run to put the game out of reach.

Haley Tyrell led Coronado with nine points.

Barstow (Calif.) 55, Coronado 44 — Marion Mimis scored 17 points to lead the Aztecs by the Cougars.

Tasha Jackson added 16 points for Barstow, which led 34-21 at the half.

Tyrell paced Coronado with 11 points.

Liberty 72, Valley 24 — Taylor Turney had 23 points as the Patriots routed the Vikings.

Nancy Caballero added 14 points and 13 rebounds for Liberty, which led 44-19 at the half and began the second half on a 26-1 run. Gabby Doxtator had 13 points for the Patriots.

Sandra Scroggins had eight points for Valley, which committed 41 turnovers, including 28 in the first half.