By Dave Belcher

Moapa Valley Progress

The Moapa Valley High School Boys Basketball team finished its regular season play with two losses last week.

To start the week the Pirates hosted the Boulder City Eagles. The Eagles came only needing a win against the Pirates to clinch a first round playoff ‘bye’ tomorrow night. That is just what happened. But the Pirates didn’t go down with a fight; scratching and clawing all the way.

The Pirates went into the game still licking the wounds from the beating they took the previous Friday in the paws of the Virgin Valley Bulldogs.

In any case, the Pirates had a couple things they could do. They could pack it in and give up on a very long and frustrating season; or they could pin their ears back and continue the battle giving all that they have. Having only three wins on the season very few could blame them if they followed the first option.

But with a chance to still make the state championship tournament and defend the title from last season, the boy’s weren’t ready to roll over and die yet.

Boulder City came to town as the favorite in the south for the state tournament.

In a very physical contest the Pirates found what they lost last Friday in putting the ball through the hoop. Dakota Watters made Moapa fans recall last season as he stroked home 4 three pointers. He scored 20 points to lead the Pirates and keep them close throughout the night.

The first quarter found the two teams tied at 12 apiece. If there was one thing that could have made a difference it would be free throws. Moapa was 8-23.

The team trailed by four at the half and had a good feeling as they left the floor.

But it was in the second half that Boulder City showed just how good they really are. Boulder extended the lead to 7 after the 3rd quarter. The Eagles held the Pirates to 9 third quarter points while scoring 12 of their own. Whenever the Pirates would get close, Bailey would hit a big bucket to slow down the momentum.

Bailey had 20 points of his own and helped from the outside while Hafen worked the inside getting some put-backs and rebounds.

In the 4th quarter, Boulder maintained the pressure as Moapa began to slowly fade. Moapa still scored 12 points in the quarter but were never being allowed to score more than that in any quarter.

Moapa battled for every rebound and played their best but the better team won by 12 as they finished with 17 in the 4th to win 57-45.

Friday night at Cheyenne High School the boy’s played their final game of the regular season and went down to the Desert Shields 67-48.

Moapa held a four point lead after the first quarter 15-11 and trailed by only one headed into the locker room at half 29-28.

Moapa came out in the 3rd and did what they had done so many times this season: they got cold. The Pirates scored 7 while the Shields poured in 25 to take an 18 point lead into the final quarter.

The Pirates were led by Shane Terrill’s 11 points. Dakota Watters scored 9.

Cheyenne was led by Branch who scored 17 followed by Peterson and his 12.

What did the Pirates shoot at the line? 50%: 1-2. Cheyenne was 4-7.

Pirates play Virgin Valley tomorrow night at 7PM at Durango High School. The winner gets Boulder City on Saturday. The loser is finished for the season.