Defense makes up for Gaels’ rough shooting
Even the most ardent supporter of Bishop Gorman’s girls basketball team would have trouble giving the Gaels’ offense much better than a 'C’ grade Wednesday night.
Gorman made just 24 of 72 field-goal attempts, including a 12-for-24 effort by Zhane Dikes, and committed 18 turnovers.
But there was little doubt the Gaels deserved an 'A’ defensively.
Gorman held host Desert Oasis to 4 of 26 shooting with 29 turnovers in the first three quarters en route to a 58-39 victory in the Gaels’ first game in the continental U.S. this season.
“D-minus,” Gorman coach Sheryl Krmpotich said when asked to grade her team’s offense.
The Gaels (3-1, 1-0 Southwest League) played three games in a tournament in Honolulu last weekend, flew back on the red-eye flight Sunday night and arrived home on Monday.
By the end of Wednesday’s game, Gorman looked jetlagged.
“I don’t know if it was the travel, but we just didn’t look like ourselves,” said Krmpotich, who is in her 14th season with the Gaels. “I can honestly say I’m disappointed. It was a team I haven’t seen ever.”
The Gaels were just 11-for-41 from the field in the first half, missing countless shots from in the paint.
Still, Gorman was quick enough through three quarters to thwart the Diamondbacks’ four-guard offense.
Guards Auburn Smith, Sammi Tso and Tatiana Kearn — arguably the Diamondbacks’ top three players — managed just 15 points on 18 shots, and eight of the points came in the final quarter.
“We’ve been really working on our defense,” Krmpotich said. “We did some really good things. We’ve been working on our ball pressure and making them be able to handle it all game, making them be rushed and in a hurry.”
Meanwhile, Dikes was strong throughout, scoring 25 points and adding 12 rebounds.
“Zhane played hard. She probably could have 50, but she was so hyper,” Krmpotich said.
Meghan Carter came off the bench to tally 14 points, and Diamond Major grabbed 11 rebounds for Gorman.
Jaqueline Garcia led Desert Oasis (2-2, 1-1) with nine points.
