The Big City Showdown has become a staple of the Las Vegas high school regular season. For several years, the event featured a inter-city battle between long time Nevada juggernaut Bishop Gorman and prep school powerhouse Findlay Prep. With the dissolution of Findlay Prep as a program last year, Coronado (Henderson NV) and its elite Top 10 junior Jaden Hardy stepped in to fill Findlay Prep’s role as Gorman’s chief Sin City rival this year.
This year’s edition was held at UNLV’s Cox Pavilion last night and was tipped-off by a fabulous pre-game performance by an Elvis Presley-impersonator who sang “Viva Las Vegas” to the estimated 2,000 people in attendance.
After being down 17-15 at the end of the 1st Quarter and at the half 35-33, athletic unsigned 6-6 2020 forward Mwani Wilkinson sparked a 2nd half rally that propelled Gorman to a 70-62 win. Mwani finished with a game-high 19 points (9/11 FG) to go along with 7 rebounds. Playing less than 100% due to a recent injury, 6-0 2021 Zaon Collins proved to be a steady captain for the Gaels in the 2nd half and finished with 11 points and 8 assists.
Coronado was led by 6-5 2020 Tyrelle “Fat Daddy” Hunt with 15 points and 7 boards and Hardy who finished with 13 points.
These 2 programs are likely to meet again in the upcoming Nevada state playoffs. Will Elvis be on-hand again for an encore performance?
