Basketball is a family matter at Virgin Valley High School

Many families have passed through sports at Virgin Valley High School throughout the years, and names like Bowler, Leavitt, Barnum, Jensen and others have left their mark on Bulldog athletics. This year is rare, though, as two sets of brothers and sisters are leading their teams to the Nevada State 3A championships.

Malachi Davis and Corban Waite have led their Bulldog boys team to a 13-1 league record and south second seed at this year’s tournament. Lady Bulldog stars Hannah Waite and Raia Davis’ girls team won the Southern Division 3A Championship and a first seed in the tourney with a 14-0 record. Hannah leads the Bulldogs in most statistics, followed by Raia. Malachi and Corban sit one and two in stats to lead the Dawgs.

When asked who and what motivated them in their basketball careers, the girls emphatically said their big brothers and family members have inspired them since grade school. They want to be as good – or better – than them. On the boys’ side, Malachi said he has played ball competitively since the fourth grade, and Corban added that he has played ball “it seems like forever.”

The consensus was that basketball has taught them competitiveness, sportsmanship and working with their teammates, which made their home lives better. They feel the competitiveness has made it easier to deal with others. They have all played together with the club team, Mesquite Mystics, since 2019.