| MVHS | 72 |
| South Tahoe | 64 |
By Dave Belcher
Moapa Valley Progress
Moapa Valley High School Varsity Basketball won its state semi-final game at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas on Friday, February 25. During the course of the game, Moapa lost a 15 point lead but held on in overtime to end with 72 – 64 score against South Tahoe.
The game started hot. Seven seconds in, point guart, Bobby Perez sunk a “3” ball right off the bat giving the Vikings a 3-0 lead. Moapa followed a minute later with two free throws then a “3” from Dakota Watters.
Perez hit another “3” and gave South Tahoe a 6-5 lead in the 1st quarter. Moapa went to the line 8 times converting 7 in the quarter. The Vikings were 2 for 4. Moapa took a 14-10 lead after the first.
Moapa scored with a Watters lay-up then Weiss was fouled on a put back the next trip down the floor. He converted a free throws and Moapa was up eight with 6:53 left in the half.
The Vikings scored a total 11 points in the second quarter. Perez had 10 points followed by Peter Pielaet-Strayer’s seven for the Vikings in the first half. Moapa scored 14 in the half. They were led by Josh Thompson’s 10. Moapa took a 28-21 lead into the half.
The real difference in this game was Moapa’s guards who were spreading the floor and then driving the lane for lay ups. They were also getting to the line. When the middle would close up Waters would nail a three.
Moapa hit three “3’s” during the third quarter and had a lead of 15 with three minutes left in the third. It was a twelve point Pirate lead of 48-36 after the 3rd quarter.
The fourth quarter saw a fierce Viking press. South Tahoe fought back and ended up with a one point lead.
At that point, Moapa inbounded the ball which was tipped then recovered by Thompson who threw it down court catching South Tahoe out of position. Hayden Cooper drove for a lay up on the base line and was fouled with: 1.5 seconds on the clock.
Cooper went to the line for two shots. He made the first tying the score at 60. South Tahoe immediately called a time. Then Cooper missed his second shot. Time expired on the rebound and the game went into over time.
The Vikings then turned the ball over right off. Moapa handled the Viking press as Waters knocked down another “3”. That started a Pirate 12 point overtime while allowing only four for the Vikings.
Moapa stretched the lead and came away with a 72-64 win, and a chance to play for the state title against Lowry the next day.
Pielaet-strayer had 26 points; Perez had 20 in the loss. Thompson led Moapa with 20.
