Gorman’s Ryan Parks could play major role in Gaels title defense

By Ray Brewer (contact)

Thursday, Feb. 24, 2011 | 2:05 a.m.

When the Bishop Gorman High basketball team opens play Thursday in the state tournament at the Orleans Arena, the difference in the defending state champion Gaels winning a third straight championship could come from an unlikely source.

Guard Ryan Parks has become one of Gorman’s biggest offensive threats, taking advantage of opponents looking to contain Gorman’s talented trio of juniors — Rosco Allen, Ben Carter and Shabazz Muhammad are each major Division I prospects — in emerging as one of the area’s top players in the last month.

After the 6-foot senior guard was inserted into the starting lineup in the middle of last month, Gorman has scored more than 90 points seven times in averaging 82 points per game. Parks will look to continue the effort at 8 p.m. against Bishop Manogue of Reno.

“I just thought we needed a boost offensively, and he gave us that,” Gorman coach Grant Rice said. “When he shoots the ball, you expect him to make it. I know that is unfair pressure, but when he puts it up, chances are two out of three times, if he gets a good look, it goes in.”

Gorman, which has been in and out of several national polls all season, suffered its worst loss of the year on Jan. 17 when it was defeated 79-63 by then-No. 2 St. Patrick on ESPNU. Parks became a starter the next game, instantly taking pressure off the others with his ability to connect from the outside.

“(My teammates) always tell me to be ready. They trust me,” said Parks, who is averaging 8.4 points per game. “When I get the ball on an open look, they trust me to make it.”

Having Parks looming around the 3-point line has its benefits, Rice said.

“Ryan is such a team player,” Rice said. “He has actually opened it up for guys like Ben and Rosco. We definitely want to get him more attempts. The more attempts for Ryan Parks, the better. He has the green light and he knows it.”

Parks’ most significant contributions might have nothing to do with scoring.

Gorman lacks experience at the point guard position, meaning Parks and others will be relied upon to get the ball up the court and into the hands of the scorers — namely Muhammad, who is averaging 30 points per game in three playoff contests.

Knowing the opposition feels guard play could be Gorman’s Achilles heel doesn’t sit well with Parks.

“It definitely motivates me to get in the gym more to work on my game and ball handling (skills) to help my teammates,” he said.

Canyon Springs, the Sunrise Region champion, plays at 4:40 p.m. against Sierra Vista in the other semifinal game. The championship is 8 p.m. Friday at the Orleans Arena. The girls title game is 6 p.m. Friday.