State title preview? Bishop Gorman basketball outlasts Coronado, 62-58 – Las Vegas Sun News

The Bishop Gorman basketball team prevailed 62-58 over Coronado on Saturday in a Big City Showdown that lived up to its billing, with the game coming down to a missed 3-pointer by Coronado in the closing seconds.

Some consider it a preview of the state championship game.

The closely contested affair continued a Big City Showdown history that began in the early 2000s when Henderson-based Findlay Prep — a national powerhouse with top-tier players but ineligible to compete for a Nevada championship — squared off against state power Bishop Gorman.

The annual meeting produced overtime games, back-and-forth finishes, and typically sold-out crowds at the Cox Pavilion or South Point Arena.

When Findlay Prep folded, Coronado stepped in — both to host the event, which has expanded to a six-game, all-day affair, and to take Findlay’s place in the marquee showdown.

Saturday’s showdown featured a DJ, loud student sections from both schools, and another nail-biter finish that again showed the best high school basketball the city has to offer.

Gorman coach Grant Rice says it best: “This was awesome,” he said of the environment. “Just a fun night, a good Saturday night of basketball.”

Junior guard Tyler Johnson took over in the final minutes, first with a thunderous dunk for a two-point Gorman lead with 2:09 remaining. On the next possession, he drove to the basket for a layup, then found Dino Roberts cutting to the rim with a crisp pass for an easy bucket.

But Coronado refused to fold. 

Amare Oba drained a 3-pointer with 1:06 to play, trimming the deficit to three points. DeVaughn Dorrough followed with a pair of free throws to make it a one-point game.

After Gorman’s Braylen Williams split a pair from the line for a two-point edge, Coronado had one last chance to win. Collins’ 3-pointer rimmed out. Johnson, who finished with 21 points, sealed it with two free throws for the final margin.

“(The dunk) changed the momentum of the game and helped change our energy level,” said Johnson, grasping the game’s Most Valuable Player trophy.

Gorman’s offense was inconsistent most of the night, though the Gaels did build a 10-point lead sparked by a pair of 3-pointers from Hudson Dannels.

But it was Gorman’s defense that proved decisive, especially in the final seconds.

Center Tyler Bright was limited by foul trouble all evening, but he still altered shots and battled for rebounds in the final minute. Johnson, the city’s reigning defensive player of the year, was a menace on the ball all night.

He may have been the best player on the court — impressive considering Coronado has three players with college offers, including top class of 2027 recruit Munir Greig.

“Defense wins games — that’s what I was always taught,” Johnson said. “As long as we play hard the whole game, start to finish defensively, we can play with anyone.”

The sense is that Gorman, the two-time defending state champions, and Coronado are on a collision course to meet for the state title.

But there’s plenty of quality basketball being played in Class 5A. Liberty built a double-digit lead against Desert Pines in one of the showdown’s earlier games and held on for a 67-66 win.

Mojave, which took second at state last year, lost to Coronado by just six points last week in a league game. Mojave led at halftime.

“We have a lot of basketball left ahead of us,” Rice said. “The league is really tough, so we will get back to work Monday.”