Johnathan Loyd relishes his role as a distributor for Bishop Gorman's boys basketball team.
The senior point guard doesn't mind being the finisher on a fast break, either. Then there are days like Friday, when he does all of the above.
Loyd had 24 points and 12 assists and keyed a second-quarter surge to help the Gaels run away with a 106-89 Southwest League win over visiting Western.
"I can depend on them," Loyd said of his teammates. "That's something a point guard really loves. I don't have to score; they can have 40 points and I can have assists, and that's it."
Gorman (20-1, 11-0) opened the second quarter on 21-2 run, which included two alley-oop dunks off Loyd assists.
"We had to pick up the intensity," Gaels swingman Shabazz Muhammad said of the run. "Western's a good team, but if we run, I think no team in the valley can stop us running."
Muhammad, a sophomore, led all scorers with 32 points. Brigham Young signee Anson Winder added 20, and Rosco Allen chipped in 12 for the Gaels.
"If someone wants to run with us, we'll accept that," Gorman coach Grant Rice said. "If you give (Loyd) the ball and give him options, it's pretty tough to stop him. He's a special kid."
The Gaels, ranked No. 12 nationally by USA Today, haven't lost since their season opener Dec. 12 against Findlay Prep.
Gorman was determined to open the game strong after needing a second-half surge to pull out an 81-71 win at Western on Jan. 5.
The first quarter featured nine lead changes, but the Warriors (13-5, 8-2) trailed by 25 points at halftime.
Kentrell Washington poured in 31 points for Western, which lost despite shooting 26-for-31 at the free-throw line.
Aaron Buckley supplied 17 points and seven rebounds for the Warriors, whose six-game winning streak was snapped. Sir Washington scored 15 points and Albert Miller 12 for Western.
Gorman topped 100 points for the second time this season.
Contact reporter Tristan Aird at taird@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-5203.
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