SUNSET GIRLS: Gorman backups step up, top Centennial for title

April Rivers’ name isn’t often at the tip of most people’s tongues when talking about Bishop Gorman girls basketball.

Neither are Julia Ewalefo, Kassie Beltran, Tonishia Childress nor Diamond Majors.

That might not be the case for much longer.

With four starters on the bench because of foul trouble, Gorman’s second wave came through with flying colors Friday to help the Gaels oust rival Centennial 75-64 in the Sunset Region final at Palo Verde.

“It feels great,” said Rivers, a freshman who came off the bench to score 24 points. “We just worked the ball around and looked for the open man. We didn’t feel any pressure.”

Gorman (25-5) advances to the Class 4A state semifinals, which begin in Reno on Thursday. Defending state champion Centennial ended its season at 25-5.

With three minutes left in the second quarter and the Gaels clinging to a 33-28 lead, four of Gorman’s starters — Aaryn Ellenberg, Chelsie Pitt, Amber Lane and Zhane Dikes — were on the bench with three fouls.

The Gaels had three freshmen, a sophomore and a little-used junior on the floor, none of whom entered the season with any measurable varsity experience.

“I was concerned, because I didn’t know how they’d react,” Gorman coach Sheryl Krmpotich said. “To have young ones step up, that was big.”

 

The quintet closed the half on a 6-2 run, building Gorman’s lead to 39-30 and giving the Gaels a push to start the second half.

“They just did an amazing job,” Krmpotich said. “They controlled the tempo, and they kept their composure. You expect that when you have maybe one or two of your starters out, but when you have four out, you don’t know what to expect.”

Gorman took away almost any chance Centennial had of scoring in the paint for most of the game and outrebounded the Bulldogs 18-6 in the first quarter and 44-33 in the game.

“We knew the first quarter was going to be key, and we didn’t come out ready to play,” Centennial coach Karen Weitz said. “If all five people on our team don’t step out ready to play, we’re in trouble.”

Gorman upped its lead to as much as 62-42 in the fourth quarter before Centennial’s Courtney Hayes sparked a near-miraculous comeback, willing Centennial to within six points with 1:16 remaining.

Rivers hit a huge 3-pointer with 47 seconds left, sealing the Bulldogs’ fate. She scored nine points in the fourth quarter.

“When I had the open shot, I just took it,” Rivers said.

Ellenberg added 12 points and 12 rebounds, Childress scored 11, and Majors and Pitt each scored 10 for Gorman.

Hayes led Centennial with 23 points. Alexis Byrd scored 16 points and Shannon Brown 13 for the Bulldogs.