Spencer’s block preserves Findlay Prep’s narrow win over Gorman

Findlay Prep center Horace Spencer lost sight of his man on the final play Saturday at South Point Arena, and it almost cost the top-ranked Pilots the game.

But the 6-foot-8-inch center came up with a blocked shot to save a 50-49 victory over Bishop Gorman in a matchup between Southern Nevada powers.

“I got caught off guard by the guy cutting to the corner,” Spencer said. “I had to try to readjust and not give up on the play. I had to just try and get the block, try and stop the basket.”

Gorman had the ball under its own basket with 1.1 seconds left, and Spencer was guarding Gorman’s 7-0 center, Stephen Zimmerman. Zimmerman got open near the right block and took a pass from Richie Thornton, but Spencer got the game-saving block as time expired.

“Zim got lost under the basket, and Horace made an incredible play, ran underneath and had an incredible block to save the game for us,” said Findlay Prep senior Allonzo Trier, who led all scorers with 26 points. “Thank God he did.”

Spencer said: “He should have dunked it. He was right on me, but I guess he didn’t want to do that. That’s their loss.

“Zimmerman’s a great player, and he could have dunked it if he wanted to.”

The Pilots (18-1) led 50-46 after a free throw by P.J. Washington with 12.7 seconds left, but Gorman still managed to get an opportunity to win the game.

The Gaels got the ball to sophomore Charles O’Bannon in the left corner, and his 3-pointer cut the lead to one with two seconds left. Gorman called timeout, then forced a five-second call to get the ball back.

“We just had to tough it out from there for two seconds,” Trier said. “We had to play big-boy basketball and get a stop to end the game.”

Gorman inbounded the ball to O’Bannon in the left corner, and he was fouled by Washington. The officials ruled the foul was before O’Bannon could attempt a shot, and the Gaels weren’t yet in the bonus, so Gorman had to inbound again.

“We had two chances,” Gorman coach Grant Rice said. “We drew up two really good plays and got two looks, and it didn’t go our way. I’m really proud of our guys.”

Gorman (16-6) was in control early, as Findlay missed its first nine field goals. The Gaels led 15-8 after a fast-break bucket by O’Bannon, but Trier answered with a three-point play on the other end to spark the Pilots.

After starting the game 1-for-11 from the field, the Pilots finally got going, and a reverse layup by Spencer in the final minute of the first half gave Findlay a 24-21 halftime lead.

“We kind of had the exact same thing last year happen to us against Bishop Gorman,” Findlay coach Andy Johnson said. “Our guys, they really dug in deep, got some stops and were able to grind out a win.”

Findlay took the lead midway through the second quarter when Gorman’s Chase Jeter was called for goaltending on a Trier shot that put the Pilots ahead 19-17.

Findlay led until a Zach Collins jumper put Gorman up 35-34 with 3:07 left in the third quarter.

Gorman’s last lead came when Jeter took an interior pass from Zimmerman for a dunk that gave the Gaels a 39-38 lead with 5:26 to play.

But Trier nailed a 3-pointer on the ensuing possession, and the Pilots wouldn’t trail again.

“It was definitely great. We wanted this game so much,” Trier said. “We knew how important it was. It was a wild, crazy finish, but I’m glad we came out on top.”

The Pilots were coming off a 76-68 overtime loss to Wayne (Ohio), and Trier said it was important to win to get the team back on track. Findlay is ranked No. 1 in the nation by USA Today.

“It’s definitely important for us,” Trier said. “We needed this bounce-back win. Hopefully this will get us back on track and get us focused to carry on for the rest of the season.”

Spencer had eight points, nine rebounds and two blocked shots for Findlay.

O’Bannon paced Gorman with 18 points, and Zimmerman had 10 points, seven rebounds and four assists. Jeter added eight points and 10 rebounds.

“It wasn’t the prettiest of basketball, but I’m proud of the way our guys fought until the end,” Rice said.

Contact prep sports editor Damon Seiters at dseiters@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-4587. Follow him on Twitter: @DamonSeiters.