Pirate boys fall to Boulder City in hard fought game

By DAVE BELCHER

The Progress

The Moapa Valley High School Boys Basketball team traveled to Boulder City on Tuesday, Jan. 11 for the two teams’ only face-off in the regular season. It was a game to remember with the Eagles coming away with a close 55-51 win.

As usual when the Pirates and Eagles get together it is a physical battle.

The Eagles took an early lead and maintained it during most of the first quarter, building a 10-4 lead with 2:06 to play in the first.

Moapa Valley scored the next six points including back to back layups in the final seconds to tie the game by the end of the quarter.

The second quarter saw the pace pushed as the Pirates started making shots. They scored four three-pointers in a two minute period leading them to a 22-point quarter and a 32-27 lead by halftime. Peyton Neilson found his range from the 3-point line connecting on three during the run.

The start of the third quarter with the pace still quick, Moapa Valley scored five points in the first two minutes. Then as if a lid was placed over the Pirates’ basket, the shots stopped falling through allowing the Eagles to take the lead, 37-39.
Moapa Valley never caught up as the Eagles built a 45-52 lead with 1:36 to play.

Down the stretch, calls weren’t going the Pirates way as players were hitting the floor. As time ran out the Eagles celebrated the 55-51 win.

“I’m so proud of the effort the boys gave playing at Boulder City,” said MVHS Head Coach Kevin Walker. “It’s always a tough place to play and we nearly came away with the win. I think lessons were learned that will be valuable as league now begins and we look down the road towards the southern region tournament.”

Gavin Douglas led the Eagles with 19 points. The senior scored from inside and was 6-7 from the free throw line. As a team the Eagles were 4-14 from the three point line and 15-36 from the field. Roman Rose scored 13 points for the Eagles including 9-10 from the free throw line.

Moapa Valley didn’t report their stats.

Boulder City sits in second place in the Mountain Division with a 10-7 record overall and 1-0 in league behind SLAM who is 16-2 overall and 1-0 in league.

The Pirates will resume the ‘post-pause’ schedule this week. They are scheduled to travel to Somerset Sky Pointe on Wednesday for their first league game.