VVHS Basketball Programs Back On Court

By LOU MARTIN

The Progress

High school basketball has returned to Clark County after a two year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Every coach in CCSD is facing the same problem regarding players. Their most experienced players were only freshman and sophomore when the pandemic shut down high school basketball and are now juniors and seniors. The coaches will be counting on freshmen and sophomores to fill out their rosters.

The problem is compounded by the lack of experienced referees in the county. The Nevada Interscholastic Athletic Association (NIAA) rules change committee has reduced the number of in game refs to two from three to combat the problem.

In addition to one less ref, inexperienced referees will be calling some games which will test coaches, players and students alike. All in the gym must be at their best behavior when possible refereeing mistakes are made.

Eligibility issues also could be a problem as students returned from home schooling.

VVHS Boys prepare for full season
The Virgin Valley High School Boys Basketball team will start this season with a new coach, system and philosophy as Ty Wakefield debuts as the Dawgs head coach.
“We will be a G.R.E.A.T. team this year,” said coach Wakefield.

Wakefield breaks this acronym down with the following words: G- Gratitude, R- Respect, E-Effort, A- Attitude and T- Teamwork.
“If we meet these goals we will be a great team,” Wakefield said.

The Bulldogs had 42 kids tryout for the team this year over a two day period. With that kind of turnout, the program will compete in all levels fielding varsity, J.V. and freshman teams.

The Dawgs will count upon nine football players throughout their rosters. These players just completed competition at the Nevada 3A State Championships and have had very little time for basketball practice.
Wakefield said that he will be counting on Benson Leavitt, Cameron Perkins, Ashten Roman, Jimmy Kelley, Jayden Hunter, Jared Jensen, Curt Felix on the varsity roster; and Alex Valle and Mason Montoya on the freshman team.

In addition, Alan Villanueva, Stratton Waite, Braden Harris, Matt Hughes, Wyatt Leavitt and Tristan Murguria will round out the varsity roster.
“We are also hoping that former quarterback and student Kyler Sudweeks will be reinstated by December,” Wakefield said.

Sudweeks transferred to Utah two years ago and returned to VVHS recently.
“We will be running a simple offense,” said Wakefield. “Run, gun, shoot and transition off the ball will be our offensive scheme. We will stress the 3-ball to keep the ball moving. Leavitt, Waite and Perkins will lead from their point guard position. Roman will be our all-around utility player. Our defense is also simple: pressure the ball from start to finish.”

The Bulldogs open the season competing in The Lake Mead Invitational on December 2 in Las Vegas.

Their first home game will be on December 8 against Coral Academy.

Lady Bulldogs put up a young team
The Virgin Valley High School Girls Basketball team is also gearing up for the long-awaited full season ahead.

Former coach and VVHS Principal Cliff Hughes returns to the court after a long coaching hiatus to guide the Lady Dogs in this post pandemic year.

Turnout to practice was sparse this year. The Lady Bulldogs had only 22 girl’s try out for three rosters. The Dawgs will no doubt have players moving up and down between rosters.
“We are young,” said Coach Hughes. “But we have some experience in key positions.”

Senior Adi Snyder and junior Brook Montoya will be leading the offense along with Riley Price and Evia Toone. Senior Lisa Whipple also will add experience to the team along with younger players Kacie Garrett, Ana Tuasinga, Alexia De Santiago and Marcie Baltizar. Freshmen Reggie Frey, Natalie Isidro and Audry Fiso should also help with additional experience.

“Our defense will be mixed, alternating from zone to some man to man,” Hughes said. “We will press depending on competition level and timing.”

“On offense we will use the 3-ball when open to test the defense,” Hughes added. “Missing a whole year has really hurt the kids with some of them having no experience playing basketball at all.”

The Bulldogs will also open the season at the Lake Mead Invitational. The Dawgs will host their first game on December 10 against SECTA