MVHS Pirates Win Holiday Classic

After a disappointing showing in the Fairmont Prep Classic before Christmas Break, Moapa Valley Head Coach Dallas Larsen was looking for an increased defensive intensity that could lead the Pirates to improving their much-maligned defense. Larsen got his Christmas wish a few days late when Moapa Valley used a defensive-oriented game plan to win the Moapa Valley Holiday Classic held on December 29-30. The Pirates faced off against the Meadows School in the first game of the tournament. Max Jenkins

Sensing the moment, Jenkins began a comeback that ended with a 15-footer to put the Pirates back in control 11-9. Moapa Valley led 17-12 after the first quarter.

In the second quarter, the Pirates used their defensive intensity to create offensive possessions. Matt Vallet was the recipient of a cross-court pass from Shaun Hilton, that set up a fast-break layup and increased Moapa Valley’s lead to 21-12 with 6:01 left in the quarter. The Pirates took a strong 32-20 lead into halftime.

Third quarter action saw more tough defense as the Moapa Valley team slowly increased its lead with an aggressive defensive intensity. The Pirates took a 41-24 lead when Brad Weiss got another fast-break opportunity. The Pirates would close the game with a layup from Matt Vallet with :01 left in the quarter. Moapa led 47-35.

High scorers for Game 1 were Max Jenkins with 18 points, Matt Vallet with 12 points, and Shaun Hilton with 13 points.

In the primetime game, the Pirates faced off against Lincoln County. Despite missing star guard Dantley Walker, Lincoln County took control early in the game, using forward Eric Rippetoe. Rippetoe keyed the Lynx early, giving Lincoln County a 17-12 lead at the end of the first quarter.

After a pep-talk from Head Coach Dallas Larsen, Moapa Valley came out ready to play in the second half. In order to create mismatches favorable to the Pirates, Larsen moved Casen Lewis to the point and put Shaun Hilton in the post. The move proved favorable indeed as Hilton tied the game at 29-29 on a layup.

After a couple of Max Jenkins free throws gave the Pirates their first lead, Zach Geary hit a shot from the corner that gave Moapa a 37-33 lead with 4:38 left in the quarter. By the end of the quarter, Moapa Valley had stretched its lead to 46-35 with a Brad Weiss jumpshot at the buzzer.

The Pirates dominated in the fourth quarter as a variety of players scored to give Moapa Valley a sizable lead. Casen Lewis gave the finishing touch on the victory as he made a three-pointer at the end to give Moapa a 67-46 victory.

Max Jenkins finished the game with 25 points, Shaun Hilton had 11 points, and Zach Geary had 8 points.

In the third and final game of the tournament for the Pirates, Moapa Valley faced off against Larsen’s former school, West Wendover. The Pirates jumped on the Wolverines early as Jake Pearce opened the scoring with an easy layup. That shot dictated the game as the Pirates soared to a 20-8 lead at the end of the quarter.

Ball-control, crisp passing, and speed categorized the second quarter for Moapa Valley. Using a run-and-gun offense, the Pirates took a 37-17 lead when Matt Vallet scored on an easy layup. Moapa led 43-20 at the half.

As the Pirates continued to dominate in the third and fourth quarters, the end results became clear; a 84-41 Pirate victory and a Moapa victory in the Moapa Valley Holiday Classic.

High scorers for the Championship game were Matt Vallet with 16, Max Jenkins with 15, and Shaun Hilton with 15. Jenkins was also the Tournament MVP.

“Wendover had 25 turnovers tonight,” commented Pirates coach Dallas Larsen. “We had the kids focus on defense and that is what created the offense. Overall, we’re focusing on defense and improving that for the division season.”