4A GIRLS: Ellenberg fuels Gaels’ rout
RENO — Usually stoic on the court, Aaryn Ellenberg couldn’t help but wear a wide grin after she drained her fifth 3-pointer Thursday.
The senior guard gave her Bishop Gorman girls basketball teammates and coaches plenty to smile about, too.
Ellenberg poured in 31 points, including 21 of her team’s first 38, to carry the Gaels to a 61-40 rout of Reno in a Class 4A state semifinal at Lawlor Events Center.
“She could hit from anywhere,” Gorman coach Sheryl Krmpotich said of Ellenberg. “I think she shot an NBA 3. She was feeling it.”
Ellenberg hit three 3-pointers in the third quarter, including one from the wing about 3 feet beyond the arc.
“I didn’t know how far back that one was,” Ellenberg said. “She just wasn’t guarding me, so I shot it.
“I’m pretty confident. I just expect to do my best.”
Gorman (26-5) advanced to meet Reed (18-6) in the state title game at 6 p.m. Friday.
Ellenberg, a McDonald’s All-American who has signed with Oklahoma, made 10 of 16 shots from the floor. She was 5-for-7 on 3-pointers and made all six of her free throws.
Ellenberg’s 15 points in the third quarter helped the Gaels stretch their lead from 29-19 at halftime to 46-28 entering the fourth period. She played less than 25 minutes, sitting the final 6:38 after picking up her fourth foul.
“You expect your All-American to do that,” Krmpotich said. “She does it effortlessly.”
Gorman led only 12-11 after the first quarter but used a 2-3 zone defense to shut down the perimeter game of Reno (24-5).
Stephanie Rovetti led the Huskies with 16 points, and Sierra Sobrio scored 11.
Chelsie Pitt scored nine points and Zhane Dikes added eight for Gorman.
The win gives the Gaels a chance to lessen the painful memory of last year’s 59-58 loss to Centennial in the state final.
“It’s really big for us,” Ellenberg said. “We lost last year on a last-second call, so we need to get back to where we can be on top.”
Gorman won three consecutive state championships before losing to Centennial last year.
“We’ve just got to finish the job and leave no doubt,” Krmpotich said. “That’s been our motto all year.”