Boys basketball preview: Liberty, Gorman to battle again

Bishop Gorman had already beaten Liberty four times entering last year’s Class 5A boys basketball state championship game.

Their fifth meeting went down to the wire, but the Patriots prevailed in overtime 63-62 to end the Gaels’ streak of nine straight championships.

Liberty enters this season with guards Angelo Kambala and Dedan Thomas returning. But Patriots coach Kevin Soares said his team has needed to make some changes after last season’s leading scorer, Joshua Jefferson, graduated.

“We have a lot of players coming back from last year, but it’s going to be a new look,” Soares said. “We’ve got to play a little bit differently this year. It’s been a little bit of an adjustment, but it’s been fun working with them and seeing the progress they’re making.”

Liberty and Gorman are the favorites in 5A as the high school basketball season in Southern Nevada begins with a full slate of games this week.

Soares expects this year’s Patriots team to be more up-tempo and guard-oriented since they do not have the noticeable advantage inside that they used to wear down opponents last season.

Gorman coach Grant Rice said he likes the mix of youth and experience on this year’s Gaels team. He also likes their depth and believes he can receive contributions from anyone in his 10- to 12-player rotation.

The Gaels won their first game Saturday, beating Bishop O’Dowd 76-57 in Oakland, California. Rice said Gorman’s nonconference schedule is the toughest he’s put together and will get the Gaels ready to try to reclaim the state championship.

“It’s about getting us in a position where we have a chance to get back there, but there are so many good teams,” Rice said. “A lot of local teams have raised their game and talent level.”

There are several other contenders in 5A that will look to challenge Liberty and Gorman.

Durango lost only three seniors off last year’s team that went 20-6 and lost to Liberty in the Southern League semifinals. Guards Taj Degourville and Tylen Riley return as Durango’s top scorers from last season.

Former Durango guard and UCLA commit Sebastian Mack joins Coronado and will fill the void left by outgoing guard Richard Issacs.

In 4A, Mojave returns 10 players from last year’s state championship team, including its leading scorer, sophomore CJ Shaw.

Las Vegas, a 4A state semifinalist last season, gave Mojave fits last year. The teams split their two regular-season meetings, which were decided by a combined three points.

Spring Valley, last year’s 4A runner-up and Desert League champion, returns with a junior-heavy roster trying to get back to the title game.

Contact Alex Wright at awright@reviewjournal.com. Follow @AlexWright1028 on Twitter.