Mack Lyon Girls Basketball #1 In Tournament

Rachel Brandes
Submitted Mar. 12, 2008

The Mack Lyon Middle School Girls “A” Basketball Team (Mustangs) took home a first place trophy in the Garrett Invitational Tournament held in Boulder City from February 29-March 1. Coaches Brent Thompson and Jared Meyer couldn’t be more proud of their team.

“These girls have shown amazing improvement throughout the season,” stated Thompson. With chaperones Deanna Harding and Annette Olsen, the team headed to Las Vegas for a league game on the evening of February 29. The team played well and left with a win.

They headed straight to Boulder City to begin tournament play. The team played their first game that evening against a Needles, California team. The Needles team came into the tournament with a great league record only to be beaten by the girls of Mack Lyon.

Dyanna Enriquez helped the team take a lead with a big three point shot and the Mustangs won with a final score of 28-26.

The team stayed the night in Boulder City and played game two on Saturday against Pahrump. The Mustangs had already taken two previous beatings from this team in league season games. Not this time! The Mustangs took the win with a final score of 24-23.

Ashley Noto had a great three point shot which put the Mustangs one point away from the lead. With tough defense and 1:40 left on the clock the point guard fouled out and Hannah Leavitt was put into the game. Leavitt rebounded the ball and with three opposing players closing in on her shot and scored to give the Mustangs that one point lead with a minute and 30 seconds on the clock.

With a defensive stand the Mustangs were able to hold the Pahrump team from scoring. With only ten seconds of play left on the clock, Amanda Campbell rebounded and passed out to Chanel LaCroix who held onto the ball until the clock ran out.

Game three was played against Fox Creek, Arizona. The Mustangs came out and took the lead right away. LaCroix with her three point shooting and great steals to start the game gave the Mustangs a five point lead. “We controlled the whole game,” said Thompson. Paige Leavitt was recognized for playing solid in all three games with great defense and rebounding.

Final score ended with Mustangs 34 Fox Creek 25. The Mustangs win the Tournament. The girls came home with a trophy that will be displayed at the middle school.

“The whole team contributed,” said Thompson. Dyanna Enriquez was voted Most Valuable Player by the coaches of the tournament and presented with a trophy of her own. Chanel LaCroix was voted onto the All Tournament Team and presented with a medal.

Coach Thompson took all the girls bowling and out for Panda Express for a team celebration. The team sits with a record of 17 wins – 8 losses so far for the season. They are sitting in third place in the Clark County City League.

This year is the sixth year for Coach Thompson and the first year coaching for Coach Meyer. Congratulations Lady Mustangs!