Live Blog: Gorman again Nevada basketball champs, downs Canyon Springs for 3rd straight title

By Ray Brewer (contact)

Published Friday, Feb. 28, 2014 | 6 p.m.

Updated Friday, Feb. 28, 2014 | 9:54 p.m.

Bishop Gorman High trailed for about 8 seconds.

Canyon Springs took a brief one-point lead today midway through the Nevada state championship game at the Lawlor Events Center, but Noah Robotham buried a straight-away 3-pointer on Gorman’s ensuing possession to give the Gaels the advantage for good.

While Canyon Springs put up a fight in the first half, Gorman was simply the better team — again.

Gorman won its third straight state championship with 71-58 victory, overwhelming Canyon Springs in the second half for its fifth championship in the past six years. The win was coach Grant Rice’s seventh title at Gorman.

Gorman opened the second half on a 13-0 scoring run, using contributions from the entire roster. Obim Okeke made four 3-pointers, Chase Jeter scored a game-high 21 points and Robotham scored 13. All stats are unofficial.

Check back later for a complete summary. Thanks for everyone for following along.

Gorman grabs 7-point halftime lead against Canyon Springs in state title game

Chase Jeter scored nine first-half points today for the Bishop Gorman High basketball team in the state championship game against Canyon Springs at Lawlor Events Center, helping Gorman lead 33-27 at halftime.

Obim Okeke has eight points for Gorman, including a pair of 3-pointers.

Gorman has led for most of the first half. Canyon Springs briefly took a 16-15 advantage midway through the second quarter, but eight seconds later Noah Robotham buried a 3-pointer for Gorman to retake the lead.

The 6-foot-10 Jeter has been dominant on the inside, helping Gorman get some second-chance looks on the offensive end.

But don’t count out Canyon Springs — it only trails by seven points.

Canyon Springs, which yesterday in the state semifinals struggled so badly with its outside shooting that coach Freddie Banks forbid them from attempting long-ranged shots in the second half, has again fallen into the trap of trying to score from the outside.

Gorman has done a great job getting back on defense to limit the Canyon Springs transition game. Once back, its zone defense has taken Canyon Springs out of its rhythm.

Keep you posted as the night continues.

Gorman’s dynasty to be challenged in state title game against Canyon Springs

The Bishop Gorman High basketball team is in a familiar spot today at the Lawlor Events Center.

The Nevada power Gaels play Canyon Springs for their fifth state championship in the past six seasons, attempting to win the 17th state championship in program history. The final-game experience gives Gorman a leg up on a Canyon Springs team whose nerves were so bad in Thursday’s semifinals they scored just 17 first-half points.

But let’s not engrave Gorman’s name on the trophy just yet. Canyon Springs is more than capable of pulling off the upset.

Canyon Springs (25-4) enters on a 14-game winning streak, scoring about 80 points per game on the strength of its speed and athleticism creating uncontested baskets in transition.

With Division I players Shaquile Carr (UTEP), and brothers Gerad and Jordan Davis (Eastern Washington) leading the charge, Canyon Springs has the talent to equal Gorman in the backcourt.

On the inside, however, Gorman is better than everyone it plays — even when playing its national schedule. Junior post players Stephen Zimmerman and Chase Jeter will be matchup problems for Canyon Springs.

They are about 6 inches taller than the interior players they’ll face from Canyon Springs, and also stronger and more skilled.

I’ll keep everyone posted when the game begins. Follow on Twitter @raybrewer21 and join the conversation using the hashtag #sunstandout or #702hshoops.

Ray Brewer can be reached at 990-2662 or [email protected]. Follow Ray on Twitter at twitter.com/raybrewer21.