GIRLS BASKETBALL: Gorman cuts down Colorado opponent in Las Vegas Invitational title game

Bishop Gorman girls basketball coach Kevin Nixon was anxious to see how his team would fare against a taller opponent.

If Saturday is any indication, the undersized Gaels will be just fine.

Gorman’s small-ball tactics pressured Castle View (Colorado) into 24 turnovers, and the host Gaels ran away with a 52-35 victory in the championship game of the Las Vegas Invitational.

“That’s the biggest team we’ve played this year, so that was good for us to see how would we respond, especially with rebounds and just playing bigger teams,” Nixon said. “I thought we handled it very well. I thought we used our speed to the advantage.”

Skylar Jackson had 12 points and seven rebounds, Shaira Young finished with 12 points and four rebounds, and Caira Young added 12 points for the Gaels (6-0).

Castle View’s starting post players stand 6 feet, 3 inches and 6-1 but were rendered ineffective by the Gaels’ active defense. Gorman held the Sabercats to 31 percent shooting from the field and out-rebounded the visitors, 33-27.

India Cole, a 5-11 reserve, led Castle View with 10 points, all in the first quarter. Alexis Walker had seven points and seven rebounds for the Sabercats.

“We wanted to work on their best ball-handler,” Nixon said. “We kind of disrupted their offense by taking it out of her hands and I think that really helped us get the momentum in the game, especially on the defensive end.”

Gorman led 26-17 at halftime and withstood a quick 8-2 burst by the Sabercats early in the third quarter before pulling away. Caira and Shaira Young combined for 14 of the Gaels’ 26 second-half points.

“We got them free on some stuff and they hit some great shots,” Nixon said. “They got to the free-throw line. They did a great job on the offensive end in the second half of extending our lead.”

Quinece Hatcher’s basket gave the Gaels a 38-29 lead at the end of the third quarter, and Jackson’s baseline jumper put Gorman ahead 44-29 with 5:43 remaining.

The Gaels led by as many as 19 points late in the fourth quarter.

“We’re learning. We’re starting to build better chemistry right now,” Nixon said. “They’re starting to know what I want as a coach, so I’m starting to see it come together. We still have a lot of things to work on, but just getting games under our belt, as a coach, is really what I wanted to see.”

Faith Lutheran 52, Springville (Utah) 49 — At Bishop Gorman, Maddy Larson’s 24-point day helped carry the Crusaders over the Red Devils in the third-place game.

Casey Proctor supplied 12 points for the Crusaders, who led 28-21 at halftime.

Madi Henderson scored 15 for Springville, which connected on eight 3-pointers. Savannah Sumision added 10 points.

Coronado 48, Arbor View 46 — At Gorman, Haley Tyrell made two free throws with four seconds remaining to give the Cougars a victory over the Aggies in the fifth-place game.

Tyrell led Coronado with 18 points, and teammate Payton Caci scored 10.

Tyrell made one of two free throws with with 19 seconds remaining to put the Cougars on top 46-44 before Alaysia Reed raced the length of the court and scored to tie the game with 10 seconds remaining. But Tyrell was fouled in the backcourt as the Aggies’ trap was late arriving.

Kalli Hosier led Arbor View with 14 points. Autumn Westmoreland had 11 points, and Madison Cvijanovich added 10 points for the Aggies, who closed the third quarter on a 10-0 run to tie the game at 32.

Needles 58, The Meadows 17 — At The Meadows, Preslee Murch’s 18 points led the way in Needles’ victory over The Meadows.

Brenna Chavez had 15 points and Jayne Antone scored 10 for Needles.

Marcella Peek led The Meadows with nine points.

Lincoln County 60, Lake Mead 25 — At Lake Mead, Kailey Kelley scored 19 for the Lynx as they routed the Eagles.

Kristal Jackson scored 13 for the Lynx, and Sadie Soderborg added 11 points.

Josey White led Lake Mead scorers with 15 points.

St. Mary’s (Ariz.) 45, Mojave 34 — At Flagstaff, Ariz., the Knights defeated the Rattlers in the quarterfinals of the Pepsi Holiday Invitational.