Basketball Game Preview: Bishop Gorman Gaels vs. Paradise Honors Panthers

The Bishop Gorman Gaels will be taking part in a tournament against the Paradise Honors Panthers at 3:00 p.m. on Friday.

Bishop Gorman is coming in fresh off a high-stakes matchup with another highly-ranked state team: Sierra Canyon, who was ranked fifth in their home state at the time (Bishop Gorman was ranked tenth). Bishop Gorman came up short against Sierra Canyon last Saturday, falling 66-43. The contest marked the Gaels' lowest-scoring game so far this season.

Bishop Gorman might have lost, but man, Aaliah Spaight was a machine: she went 8 for 19 on her way to 24 points and six rebounds. Spaight's evening made it 11 games in a row in which she has scored at least ten points. The team also got some help courtesy of Aubrey Johnson, who posted seven points and three blocks.

Meanwhile, Paradise Honors came tearing into Tuesday's matchup with five straight wins (a stretch where they outscored their opponents by an average of 44.2 points) and they left with even more momentum. They breezed by the Eagles to the tune of 62-16. The Panthers have made a habit of sweeping their opponents off the court, having now won eight contests by 24 points or more this season.

Bishop Gorman better keep an eye on Morgan Van Dyke. She was instrumental in Paradise Honors' win, going 12 of 20 on her way to 26 points in addition to seven steals and six boards. Van Dyke is crushing it when it comes to steals: she's grabbed at least two every time she's taken the court this season. The team also got some help courtesy of Lizzy Guincho, who almost dropped a double-double on nine boards and nine steals.

Paradise Honors was working as a unit and finished the game with 12 assists. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as ALA - Gilbert North only posted three assists.

Paradise Honors pushed their record up to 9-1 with the win, which was their third straight on the road. Those victories came thanks to their defensive effort, having only surrendered 16.3 points per game. As for Bishop Gorman, they have traveled a rocky road recently having lost three of their last four games, which put a noticeable dent in their 2-4 record this season.