By GANNON HANEVOLD
Moapa Valley Progress
The Moapa Valley High School Girls Basketball team went home earlier than expected last year, despite taking home the regular season league title being frontrunners for their second consecutive state tournament appearance. A heartbreaking loss to the Mojave Rattlers after three overtimes ended the season.
Since then, the team has been looking forward to getting back in this year. Now, with a new head coach and plenty of returning playmakers, the Pirates are confident they can make yet another run.
Leading the Pirates this season will be head coach Brandon Jones. After a summer of offseason training and some preseason practices, Jones is excited about what his team has to offer.
“I learn something new everyday,” Jones said. “I’ve been a basketball coach for ten years and have coached girls in track for twelve years. I’ve just never done girls basketball together. It’s been fun to learn and get to know these girls a bit.”
Jones takes over for a program that has grown accustomed to success year after year. That kind of tradition and experience helps speed up the learning curve, he said.
“They all know basketball, so when I’m trying to install new things they pick up on it quick,” Jones said of his returning athletes.
The list of players who were on last season’s undefeated roster include reigning region MVP Lainey Cornwall as well as Kaitlyn Anderson, Emilie Barraza, Peyton Schraft, Ashlyn Western, Kaitlyn Hopkins, and Andalin Hillstead. Barraza, Cornwall and Schraft were named the team’s captains.
The Pirates have plenty of scoring power with Cornwall and Andersen both landing in the top three for the league in points per game last season. Jones also pointed out junior Andalin Hillstead’s ability to space out the offense. “She’s a good shooter and off the ball she knows where to go,” he said.
Jones elaborated on his expectations for the offense. “I’ve done a lot of research and looked up different offenses that involve a lot of motion and five out,” he said. “We’re trying to focus on getting the girls to want to drive and then look to dish and score.”
As for the defensive end of the court, the Pirates will be looking to quicken the pace to make up for a height disadvantage. “We’re really going to focus on pressing and defense, especially early in the year,” Jones said.
He also pointed out the importance of slowing the tempo if necessary. “We don’t have a lot of size, so a lot of times we’ll be playing with four or five guards,” Jones said. “We’re going to be pressing a lot and trying a little run and gun style. At the same time, we know we need a Plan B and have to be able to get in the half court and score too.”
The high expectations are warranted, considering the playoff experience and championship aspirations this particular group of girls has. Many of the team’s players were a part of the 2016-2017 state tournament run for the Pirates. They hope to get Moapa Valley back to that level of competition.
Last season concluded with a bitter tone. Now, with a new coach and varied approach to the game, Moapa Valley has hopes of running the table this season. The pieces are in place for yet another year of success on the court for Moapa Valley girls basketball.
