Gorman girls storm to victory in state play-in game

Bishop Gorman’s girls basketball team wasn’t pleased with the way it started Friday’s Sunset Region final against Centennial.

The Gaels made up their minds that Monday’s Class 4A state play-in game at Arbor View wouldn’t be a repeat.

Gorman, which couldn’t find its legs in the opening minutes against Centennial, stormed to a 19-2 lead over Silverado on Monday and cruised to a 74-45 win. Gorman (28-4) will meet Green Valley in a state semifinal Thursday at 3 p.m. at the Orleans Arena.

“We felt we needed to come out strong and set the tempo,” Gorman coach Sheryl Krmpotich said. “We were a bit lethargic at the start Friday, and we didn’t want that to happen again.”

The Gaels scored the first six points of the game and, after a basket by Silverado’s Alena Evans, rattled off 13 more in a row to take a 19-2 lead on Zhane DIkes’ transition basket just 5:34 into the first quarter.

Gorman was 10-for-18 from the field with four offensive rebounds and no turnovers in the first quarter.

The Gaels’ lead was never fewer than 11 points the rest of the way as Gorman effectively used a mix of penetration and good entry passes to score early and often in the paint.

Dannielle Diamant, a 6-foot-4-inch senior, posted up against players at least four inches shorter than she. Aaryn Ellenberg penetrated, and Yahindra Edwards cashed in on stick-back baskets as Gorman scored 23 baskets in the paint. The Gaels had just seven turnovers.

“We try to expose a team’s weaknesses,” Krmpotich said.

Still, Silverado didn’t quit. The Skyhawks, who rallied from a 15-2 deficit to lead Green Valley in the first quarter of Saturday’s Sunrise final, were within 38-25 after Alena Evans made two free throws with 22.6 seconds left in the first half.

But a 15-0 run by the Gaels boosted the lead to 53-25 and removed any doubt.

Ellenberg led all scorers with 18 points. Diamant added 17 points and 10 rebounds, and Edwards scored 14. Gorman rested three of its starters for the final five minutes of the game and the other two for the final two-plus minutes.

“When we have the opportunity to get our starters some rest, we will,” Krmpotich said. “It’s getting near the end of the season, and everyone gets tired. We want to make sure they’re ready for Thursday.”

Mikayla Thielges led the Skyhawks with 14 points. Evans and Shea Collins each added 13.