The Pahrump Valley High School girls’ varsity basketball team battled through a physical, low-scoring contest on the road Friday night, January 16, earning a hard-fought 29–26 league victory over the Boulder City Eagles.
The Trojans won the opening tip but struggled early to find rhythm offensively, as both teams traded turnovers and missed opportunities in a tightly contested first quarter. With just under five minutes remaining, Riley Saldaña attacked the paint, finishing through contact for an and-one to put Pahrump Valley on the board. After Boulder City answered, the Trojans found momentum late in the quarter. A three from the left wing gave Pahrump Valley the lead, and Addi Nelsen followed with a deep triple from the top of the key in the final seconds to send the Trojans into the second quarter up 9–4.
Boulder City opened the second quarter with a three to close the gap, but Pahrump Valley continued to apply constant defensive pressure, pressing full court and meeting the ball at half court in man defense. Jules Ondrisko checked in midway through the quarter, marking her first game of the season after recovering from a shoulder injury. Ondrisko immediately made her presence felt, drawing a foul and knocking down a free throw. Kaitlyn Brown later went to the line and calmly sank both attempts, and Saldaña added two more free throws after being fouled on a drive. Despite another Boulder City three, the Trojans maintained their composure and took a 15–12 lead into halftime.
Ondrisko opened the second half in place of Autumn Colon, as the Trojans continued to emphasize defensive pressure. After a brief scoring drought, Nelsen broke free for a one-on-one layup, extending the lead. Saldaña and Ella Odegard added points at the line, and Ondrisko capped the quarter with a strong drive from the perimeter to the basket. Boulder City stayed within striking distance, cutting the margin to one late in the third, but Pahrump Valley carried a narrow advantage into the final period.
The fourth quarter remained tense from start to finish. Saldaña tied the game early with a spin move in the paint, but Boulder City answered to reclaim the lead. With time winding down, Brown attacked the lane and finished to pull the Trojans within two. After a defensive stop, Pahrump Valley ran an out-of-bounds play that resulted in Brown being fouled on a three-point attempt. She calmly knocked down all three free throws, giving the Trojans a one-point lead with 34 seconds remaining.
In the closing moments, Odegard split a pair of free throws, Saldaña secured a key rebound, and Nelsen was fouled while pushing the ball ahead. Nelsen converted one more free throw to seal the win. Pahrump Valley closed out the final possession with disciplined defense, securing the 29–26 victory.
After the game, Head Coach Bob Hopkins acknowledged the grind of the contest but emphasized the importance of the result. “We didn’t play very good, but it was a good win. We needed it,” Hopkins said. He noted the team’s growth within league play, adding that the Trojans now sit at 5–2 in league, 10–7 overall, with seven straight wins. Reflecting on the decisive moment at the line, Hopkins said he was confident when Brown stepped up late, calling her “probably our best free throw shooter.”
Pahrump Valley will look to build on the momentum Tuesday when the Trojans visit Coral Academy in another key league matchup.
