Malachi Gorman pulls up for a short jumper against Kennedy. Photos by Rick Sloan

RANCHO CORDOVA, CA (MPG) - This past August, Cordova Lancers' senior forward Malachi Gorman was kicked out of an open gym session for aspiring basketball players held by new head coach Kevin Bridgeforth. The first-year coach wanted to see how the 6-foot-3 youngster would respond to adversity as well as questions about his maturity. Gorman didn't know it at the time but that difficult lesson would prove to be exactly what was needed for the talented athlete to take his game to the next level. 

Gorman would soon return to campus to find his coach, desperate to get back in his good graces. He asked Bridgeforth if there was anything he could do to get back on the court. It was at that moment that Bridgeforth knew the type of player he had on his hands. 

"I knew right then," Bridgeforth said. "From that moment, he's done a complete 180 in terms of trying to be the leader of this team. His maturity has expedited in such a short amount of time and his ability to make his teammates better has really impressed me."

Malachi Gorman takes the ball to the hoop against McClatchy.

From the summer until now, Gorman's work ethic on the court, in the weight room and in the classroom has caught the eye of his coaches and teammates, who now view him as the team’s true leader. But it has been his mental toughness and willingness to be coached that has impressed Bridgeforth the most. 

"Malachi is one of those kids that loves basketball," he said. "He loves every aspect of it. He shows up to practice every single day dressed and ready to go. You can just see the fire in his eyes."

Gorman, who currently leads the Lancers in scoring at 11 points per game, has only been playing basketball since his freshman year at Cordova. But his pure athleticism and ability to receive coaching have helped Gorman improve by leaps and bounds year over year. Gorman was quick to credit those who have aided him along the way when asked about the reasons for his ascent. 

Malachi Gorman goes up for a layup after a steal against Kennedy.

"I've had a lot of great coaches in my life, including Coach Bridgeforth," Gorman said of how he has been able to improve his game so quickly. 

"They've all pushed me and said I could be great,” Gorman said. “I've worked hard, I picked up the things I needed to pick up and I've just kept it going."

Gorman intends on playing basketball in college, with his sights set on attending a local community college after graduation. Bridgeforth said that the dynamic senior can definitely play at the next level if he finds the right situation. 

"I believe if he falls into the right hands and gets the right kind of coaching like he has here, he can be one hell of a player,” Bridgeforth said.