By DAVE BELCHER
Moapa Valley Progress
The Moapa Valley High School Boys’ Basketball team:
Last Year the Pirates had their first winning season in a long time. They saw a record of 16-11 during a very rough year that saw their head coach suspended the last few games. An interim coach took charge at that point.
Despite all of the turmoil, it was the first winning season since 2010-11 when the Pirates won their ninth state title in school history. That season they finished 17-11 overall.
There is a lot that is new about this year’s MVHS team. Kevin Walker was named the MVHS Boys Basketball Head Coach last Spring. Walker has been working hard to help the players transition into a new season.
The team has lost six from last year’s team due to graduation. That includes the second leading scorer on last years team, Jessop Lake, who averaged 12 points and 8 rebounds per game. Derek Reese and his 7 rebounds per game has also graduated.
But returning this year is a team that is smaller but quick and stronger defensively. They can also shoot much better than the team from last year.
“We will be a fun team to watch this year,” said Walker. “We will press and fast break often.”
The team will be returning its leading scorer from last year, assist man and point guard Lucas Walker. Walker was first team all division and second team southern region last year.
Also returning is Cameron Reese at 6’4”. He was the team’s third leading scorer last year and received an honorable mention.
“He will play inside and out,” said Walker of Reese.
The Pirates will also have Preston Humes, Housten Neilson and Kashten Frei who will round out the five returning from last year.
Frei was injured in the first football game this year. The lingering effects of that injury has hurt him early on. But Walker said that as practices have moved along Frei is moving and playing better each week.
The Pirates will depend on their ability to share the ball, trust each other and communicate well with each other.
The Pirates will be tested early as they will play Del Sol and possibly Boulder City this weekend at the Lake Mead Christian tournament. They will then play at Chaparral on December 10.
“We will compete with Chaparral and Boulder City for the top playoff spots in the league this year,” said Walker.
The Pirates will travel to Chaparral in their first league game December 10 then host Virgin Valley in the second league game on December 20. They will play in the Vegas Invitational starting January 2 and travel to Boulder City on January 14.
Come and support Pirate basketball!
