The Pahrump Valley High School (PVHS) Trojans girls’ basketball team concluded their journey at the 24th Annual Holiday Classic tournament with two challenging games on January 3 and January 4. Despite setbacks, the Trojans showcased their determination and defensive grit, leaving plenty of positives to build on as they look ahead to the remainder of their season.
On the afternoon of January 3, the Trojans faced the Reed High School Raiders from Sparks, Nevada. It was a tough game for PVHS, as they struggled offensively against a strong Raiders squad, ultimately falling 56-16. The Raiders’ defense held the Trojans scoreless in the first quarter while putting up 22 points of their own. In the second quarter, Savannah Thompson and Ryleigh Denton contributed PVHS’s first points, combining for four. The Trojans’ defensive efforts held the Raiders to 10 points in the quarter, but they entered halftime trailing 32-4.
The second half showed the Trojans’ resilience. They added 12 points, with contributions from Thompson, Denton, and Riley Saldana, while holding the Raiders to 9 in the third quarter. However, Reed pulled away in the fourth, adding 15 points and holding the Trojans scoreless once more to seal the victory. Despite the loss, PVHS stood tall on defense, grabbing 32 rebounds and recording 9 steals in the game.
On January 4, the Trojans faced the Boulder City Eagles in a nail-biting finale. The game showcased PVHS’s fighting spirit, with the team falling just short in a narrow 34-32 loss. The first quarter saw both teams struggle to find their rhythm, with the Eagles leading 3-2 until late contributions from Thompson and Saldana put the Trojans at 5 points. In the second quarter, the Eagles found their footing, adding 15 points, while PVHS managed another five, highlighted by baskets from Thompson and Ella Odegard. The Eagles entered halftime with an 18-10 lead.
The third quarter saw the Trojans hit their stride, led by a strong performance from Saldana, who racked up nine points, including four two-point field goals and a free throw. Denton added another basket to bring the Trojans’ total to 21, matching the Eagles point for point in the quarter.
In the fourth, PVHS surged back, holding Boulder City to just five points while adding 11 of their own. Denton contributed a clutch three-pointer and a two-point basket, while Saldana and Thompson kept the momentum going with key scores. Despite their strongest quarter of the game, the Trojans couldn’t close the gap and fell by just two points.
Reflecting on the tournament, Coach Bob Hopkins acknowledged the ups and downs, saying, “We did well against two teams we should have and poorly against two teams we expected to. We had a tough two and a half quarters against Boulder. Should have done better but we were still missing starters Trinity French and Jules Ondrisko. We had some bright spots. There are still things we need to work on, but we’re learning and getting there.”
The Holiday Classic gave the Trojans an opportunity to test their skills against tough competition while refining their strategies. With the team continuing to grow and key players returning soon, PVHS fans are hopeful for a strong finish to the season. Keep an eye out for more updates on this hardworking squad.
