MVHS boys take down Coral Academy 53-40

Moapa Valley High School senior Jaxson Bunker had 16 points, seven assists and four steals to lead the Pirates over Coral Academy of Science, Las Vegas, 53-40 on Saturday, Dec. 20 at the Tarkanian Classic Tournament.

Junior Jack Wheeler added 10 points and five rebounds, and classmate Weston Ruiz had 11 points and three steals.

The Pirates nearly took down the Griffins from Buckley, ultimately falling 72-64 on Tuesday, Dec. 23. Junior Austin Reese had a double-double, scoring 20 points on 54% shooting and grabbing 11 rebounds. He also had a block and turned the ball over just one time.

Bunker added 12 points, eight boards, eight assists and two steals in the win. Six Pirates had at least six points in the victory, but 17 turnovers made it difficult to overcome the Griffins’ scoring efficiency.

On Monday, Dec. 21, the Wasatch Wasps got the best of MVHS, 53-39. Reese had 12 points and 11 rebounds for another double-double, and Bunker added 11 points and five boards in the loss.

The Pirates attempted just six free throws in the game, instead attempting 21 3-pointers and hitting just five. Moapa Valley didn’t shoot well from 2-point range either, though, hitting just 10 of 33 shots. Turnovers again were an issue, as the Pirates coughed it up 21 times.

Bunker went off for 21 points, 12 rebounds and four assists, but it wasn’t enough in the 72-53 loss to Moanalua on Friday, Dec. 19. Bunker hit four of six 3-point attempts but was just three-for-10 from two-point range. The Pirates shot just 37% from inside the arc.

The Pirates play Green Valley at 10:45 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 2.