The Pahrump Valley High School girls’ basketball team battled to the final seconds in their second game of the HBCU High School Basketball Holiday Jam, falling just short in a 33–31 loss to The Legacy Longhorns of North Las Vegas on Monday, December 22, at Valley High School.
Pahrump set the tempo early with hustle and ball movement. Riley Saldaña opened the scoring after a sharp short-corner pass from Sydney Crotty, and Addi Nelsen followed with a confident three-pointer from the left corner to give the Lady Trojans an early lift. The teams traded baskets throughout the opening quarter, with Nelsen knocking down another three from the right wing to keep the game tight at 9–8 heading into the second.
In the second quarter, Legacy applied heavy pressure, frequently trapping the ball to force turnovers, but Pahrump responded with strong execution in transition. A fast-break sequence featuring Kaitlyn Brown, Saldaña, and Crotty led to an inside finish, and Brown followed with a drive from the wing. Aurora Bowers added a layup, and Brown later buried a deep three from the left wing as the Lady Trojans leaned into a full-court press. Despite the pressure and a late basket by Legacy, Pahrump went into halftime holding a narrow 16–13 advantage.
Legacy used its size and pressure to swing momentum in the third quarter, capitalizing on turnovers to regain the lead. Brown steadied the Lady Trojans with a basket and free throws, while Autumn Colon sparked the defense with steals that created opportunities on the offensive end. Still, Legacy carried a 27–20 edge into the fourth.
Pahrump refused to fold. Brown attacked the rim early in the final period, and Colon converted a coast-to-coast layup off a steal to pull the Lady Trojans within one. With just under four minutes remaining, Nelsen drilled a clutch three-pointer to put Pahrump back in front, 29–28. The final minutes featured scrappy defense and key stops on both sides, including a block by Saldaña and multiple forced turnovers.
With the game tied late, Legacy managed to regain the lead, and despite good looks and second-chance opportunities in the closing seconds, the Lady Trojans were unable to convert, ending the night with a hard-fought 33–31 loss.
Head Coach Bob Hopkins acknowledged the disappointment but emphasized the bigger picture for his young squad.
“We had an opportunity to get one today and didn’t,” Hopkins said. “It’s a work in progress. We’re young, and these are the kinds of games we need to learn from.”
Hopkins also pointed to individual efforts that stood out. “Addi looked like she was ready to shoot today,” he said, noting her confidence from beyond the arc. He also praised Colon’s defensive impact, adding that her energy on that end helped keep Pahrump within striking distance throughout the game.
Reflecting on the tournament as a whole, Hopkins said the team’s resilience has been encouraging. “Yesterday’s game was a little ugly, but they didn’t give up—they played hard and got the win,” he said. “We came back again today and had a chance late. That’s what I’m looking for as we keep building.”
The Lady Trojans will await their next matchup as tournament play continues, carrying valuable experience forward from two close, competitive games against tough opposition.
