By Dave Belcher

Moapa Valley Progress

MVHS varsity basketball guard Dakota Waters, #3, shoots for two points during last Friday’s home game against Virgin Valley.

Frustration was the feeling that the Moapa Valley High School boys basketball team was feeling when they left Gary Batchelor gymnasium on Friday night. The arch rival from Virgin Valley came to town and beat the Pirates 45-24 in a game that would determine placement in the southern 3A regional tournament for the right to play Boulder City.

The Pirate boys couldn’t sink a basket to save their lives. They scored 5 in the 1st quarter then 6 in each of the 2nd and 3rd quarters and finally 7 for the 4th. It wasn’t for the lack of trying. The ball just wouldn’t go in for them.

Virgin Valley started the game with Dee Bowler making a quick basket. He was fouled on the shot to make it a three point lead. From that point on, the Bulldogs would never trail in the game.

Two and a half minutes later Kasen Hughes scored the Pirates’ first points. At that point, Moapa was the closest it would come all night with a score of 2-3.

Virgin Valley scored the next 7 points taking a 10-2 lead before Landon Willard hit a three pointer with 1:20. That finished the scoring in the 1st quarter for the Pirates.

Jackson Mortensen scored Moapa’s first three points in the next quarter with hard work down low. He was fouled both times getting rebounds and going up with the shots. He had 5 points on the night all from the free throw line.

The Pirates didn’t score again until there was twenty seconds left in the half. Landon Willard made another three pointer. Still, Moapa was only down 8 at the half.

The half time score was 19-11.

During half time the two school principals shot free throws and three pointers with the winner receiving 100 bucks for their school from Lisa McCormick and American Family Insurance. Hafen took the early lead but Hanavold hit four of his final five 3’s to tie as the Moapa side cheered him on. As time expired the score was still tied so each school received 100 bucks.

Moapa had two players with 6 points Willard and Sean McConell. Jackson Mortensen and Dakota Watters each had 5 points with Hughes getting the other two.

For Virgin Valley, Teerlink had 16 as he nailed several 3 pointers. Bowler added 9 to the total.

It was during the 3rd quarter two weeks ago that Moapa caught and passed the Dawgs on their way to the victory. This was in the minds of both Moapa and also Virgin Valley as the third quarter began Friday. The Dawgs had scored 8 points before Watters made a layup off the inbound pass with 4:20 in the 3rd quarter.

McConnell made a layup and was fouled. He converted the free throw for the old-school three point play. Virgin Valley finished the quarter with a layup and a 14 point lead.

Still there was hope for the Pirates trailing 31-17. If they could just make some baskets. But it never happened. Virgin Valley got its last 14 points and Moapa got only 7.

The Bulldogs went home happy and Moapa was left scratching their heads.