By DAVE BELCHER
Moapa Valley Progress
There is a new feel in the locker room, and on the practice court, of the Moapa Valley High School Boys Basketball team.
That is partly due to a big change in the landscape of the 3A division. With the recent NIAA realignment, big Las Vegas schools like Desert Pines, Clark and Cheyenne have returned back to the 4A division where they belong. Now, the rest of the 3A can come into the season with a hope of making it to a state title.
Another big change from last year is in the Pirates’ coaching this year. Former head coach, Dallas Larsen has stepped down after 10 years of leading the program. He finished with a record of 89-162. Larsen led the team to winning the state championship in 2011, the year before the big 4A schools were dropped down into the 3A.
Coach Stuart Humes has been hired to take Larsen’s place. Humes came from coaching the Pirate Varsity Girls’ basketball program after six seasons. He finished that post with a 95-63 record including a state tournament berth two years ago.
The Pirate Boys team returns six players from last year’s team. Two of them started including senior Derek Reese who averaged 17 points a game last year and 10 rebounds.
There are a total of six seniors on this year’s team. Josh Cox at 6’4”, Chase Hoy 5’10”, Jessup Lake 6’3”, Dallas Larsen 6” and Jerrick Stastny 5’10” are the seniors who are expected to lead the team this year.
There are also several underclassmen who are players to watch. Returning to the team is Lucas Walker, a sophomore. Walker averaged 8 points a game and dished out 6 assists a game last season. In addition, Preston Humes, Cameron Reese 6’3” will play as sophomores on the varsity team this year. Houston Neilson 6’3” and Destry Jones are the juniors.
“We have a nice balance of experience and talented youth this season,” said Humes. “We are looking for a balanced team effort where any player on the roster can have a big night.”
“The boys have been focused and working hard and want to win games,” Humes added. “We feel like we can win our division and compete for a region Championship.”
Last year the Pirates finished with a 6-18 record overall and were fifth in the Sunrise with a 4-8 league record.
The Pirates started the season this week with their first home game against Slam Academy. They will travel into Las Vegas this weekend to play in the Lake Mead Holiday classic. Come support your Pirates and enjoy some exciting Basketball.
