Author: Amy Veloz
The Pahrump Valley High School boys’ basketball team put together a strong, well-paced performance on the road Wednesday night, January 7, rolling past Cristo Rey behind active defense, quick ball movement, and steady scoring throughout the lineup. Pahrump Valley controlled the opening moments right from the tip. Aydon Veloz and Lucas Gavenda went to work on the glass early, with Gavenda drawing a foul on a putback attempt and converting both free throws to open the scoring. The Trojans immediately settled into a full-court press that set the tone for the rest of the night. Gavenda followed with a strong…
As Noah Flores looks back on his high school years, it’s clear that his journey has been shaped by dedication, curiosity, and a deep appreciation for both people and experiences. From early morning practices to academic milestones that set him apart, Noah’s time in high school reflects a balance of discipline, passion, and personal growth. Some of Noah’s most meaningful memories come from his involvement in cross country and track—sports he has participated in throughout his entire high school career. Through these programs, he had the opportunity to travel to new places, experience competition beyond his hometown, and share those…
The Pahrump Valley High School boys’ basketball team wrapped up Holiday Classic play on Saturday, Jan. 3, with a hard-earned 77–66 victory over the Amplus Academy Archers, finishing the tournament with a strong performance that reflected growth, toughness, and improved chemistry. Playing with a shortened rotation of nine athletes, the Trojans opened the game locked in defensively, starting in man-to-man coverage while applying full-court pressure. Early ball movement paid off as Josh Slusher found Lucas Gavenda underneath for the game’s first basket, followed by a transition three from Keir Sheppard off a pass from Caden Briscoe. Amplus responded with outside…
In a community-wide effort rooted in awareness, compassion, and prevention, Soroptimist Pahrump Valley has launched a Human Trafficking Awareness Campaign that meets people where they already are—inside local coffee shops and cafés across Pahrump. By pairing everyday routines with critical information, the campaign aims to spark conversations, increase understanding, and remind residents that human trafficking is not a distant issue, but one that can exist quietly in any town, including small rural communities. Leading this initiative is Elaine Cassell, the Human Trafficking Awareness Chair for Soroptimist Pahrump Valley. While Cassell also serves as District 6 Director for the region, she…
The past year was a time of uncomfortable growth for me. I’m a people pleaser by nature, and it was the first time I’ve had to come to grips with not pleasing everyone while trying my hardest to. A few friendships ended, a few new ones began, and my priorities dramatically shifted. I’m proud to look back and see that I stuck to my values the entire year – choosing my kids’ well-being over everything and focusing on our little family above all else. Most of the lessons I learned the hard way are a bit gruff – but they’ll…
The Pahrump Valley High School boys’ basketball team opened play at the Holiday Classic tournament in impressive fashion on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, earning a 75–65 victory over Chaparral High School in a fast-paced, physical matchup that showcased depth, defensive pressure, and balanced scoring. Pahrump Valley set the tone early with full-court pressure, forcing turnovers and turning defense into offense. After Chaparral scored first, Caden Briscoe answered with a three-pointer from the top of the key, sparking a run fueled by steals and transition buckets. Keir Sheppard and Lucas Gavenda were especially active in the opening quarter, combining for steals,…
The Pahrump Valley High School wrestling program delivered a strong showing Tuesday, January 6, as the JV and girls teams hosted CIVICA Academy in Pahrump. With CIVICA limited in several weight classes, the night featured a mix of scored JV bouts and exhibition matches against Trojan varsity wrestlers, allowing Pahrump Valley to maximize mat time while continuing to develop depth across the program. The Trojans turned in dominant performances throughout the lineup, earning a 72–0 team victory. The 106-pound weight class resulted in a double forfeit, as neither Pahrump Valley nor CIVICA had a wrestler entered. Competition officially began at…
The Pahrump Valley High School girls’ flag football team took the field at home in Pahrump on Wednesday, January 7, hosting Clark High School in a game that showcased the Trojans’ resilience, effort, and determination from start to finish. Jazymyn Herrera opened the game at quarterback for Pahrump Valley as the Lady Trojans worked to establish their offense early. Clark struck first with a punt return touchdown, but the Trojans continued to battle on both sides of the ball. Defensively, Ma’liyah Collins made her presence felt right away, pulling a quick flag after an interception to limit additional yardage. Despite…
The Pahrump Valley High School girls’ varsity basketball team wrapped up play at the Gator Winter Classic on a high note Tuesday, December 30, earning a convincing win over Lee Williams High School of Kingman, Arizona. The victory provided a strong finish to both the tournament and the 2025 calendar year, showcasing the Lady Trojans’ growth, balance, and confidence on both ends of the floor. The Lady Trojans set the tone early, forcing a jump ball on the opening possession and quickly establishing defensive pressure. After Lee Williams scored first at the free-throw line, Riley Saldaña answered with an and-one…
The Pahrump Valley High School boys wrestling team continued to build momentum early in the season as they competed at the 2025 Sierra Nevada Classic, finishing 21st out of 30 teams in a highly competitive field that included programs from Nevada, California, Idaho, Oregon, Arizona and Hawaii. In just their third tournament of the year, the Trojans faced deep, experienced brackets across nearly every weight class, using the challenging matchups as an early measuring stick while continuing to establish their rhythm and identity this season. At 106 pounds, Timothy Stutzman contributed seven team points, opening his run with a quick…