The Pahrump Valley High School Trojans’ varsity girls’ basketball team fought down to the final buzzer in a thrilling showdown against the Boulder City Eagles at home on Tuesday night. Despite an incredible defensive effort and a furious fourth-quarter rally, the Trojans fell just short, 36-35.
Head Coach Bob Hopkins praised his team’s resilience and effort in the hard-fought battle.
“I love games like this because I actually get to coach,” Hopkins said. “When we’re losing by 20 or winning by 20, there isn’t much coaching. But in a game like this, every decision, every adjustment matters.”
Despite the tough loss, Hopkins had nothing but praise for his players, especially their defensive effort. “The girls played probably the best game of defense all season,” he said. “They took the lead from the JV girls, who played really tough defense tonight, and then they went out there and did the same thing.”
Hopkins also emphasized that this was a true team effort. “In a loss like this, we don’t point any fingers. Everyone had opportunities to make a difference, and it didn’t come down to a single play.”
The Trojans’ starting lineup—Riley Saldana, Jules Ondrisko, Savannah Thompson, Ryleigh Denton, and Trinity French—set the tone early with aggressive defense and strong ball movement. Despite Boulder City striking first with a quick three-pointer, Saldana responded with a bucket inside, signaling that the Trojans were ready for battle. The first quarter saw back-and-forth action, with Saldana igniting the crowd by forcing a turnover and turning it into a go-ahead layup. At the end of one, Pahrump held a slim 10-9 lead.
Boulder City maintained early momentum, capitalizing on offensive rebounds and fast-break opportunities to take a 7-2 lead. Pahrump responded as Saldana drove inside again for a basket, then Evalenne Armendariz, in her first night this season due to knee surgery early this year, found her down low for another score. Moments later, Saldana stole the ball and sprinted down the court for a layup, giving the Trojans an 8-7 lead.
The Eagles briefly regained control, scoring off a missed shot, but Saldana stayed aggressive, driving inside for another bucket and drawing a foul. She missed the extra point, but the Trojans held onto a slim 10-9 advantage at the end of the first quarter.
In the second quarter, the Trojans kept up their defensive intensity, but Boulder City’s offense found ways to break through. A basket with an assist from French to Denton extended Pahrump’s lead to 12-9, but Boulder responded with back-to-back baskets to take the lead. Ondrisko battled in the paint, grabbing an offensive rebound and putting it back up to give the Trojans a 14-13 edge.
Boulder City, however, capitalized on a pair of trips to the free-throw line, making three of four shots. In the final seconds of the half, they added another basket inside, pushing their lead to 19-14 at the break.
Coming out of halftime, the Trojans wasted no time cutting into the deficit. Saldana knocked down a smooth outside jumper, and Ondrisko drew a shooting foul, making one of two free throws. Moments later, Ondrisko came up with a steal and took it coast-to-coast for a layup, tying the game at 19-19.
Boulder City quickly answered, drawing a foul and making one free throw to regain a one-point lead. Saldana continued to make her presence felt, attacking the rim and sinking two clutch free throws to put Pahrump back on top, 21-20.
The Eagles responded with a layup, followed by a deep three-pointer that gave them a four-point cushion. Another quick basket extended their lead to six, but Saldana stayed aggressive, muscling her way inside for two. After a missed pair of free throws by Boulder, the Eagles regrouped and sank another three-pointer to widen the gap to 30-22.
With the Trojans needing a spark, Saldana once again delivered, drawing a foul and calmly knocking down both free throws to make it 30-25. However, Boulder added another basket inside leaving the Trojans entering the final quarter trailing 32-25.
With the game on the line, the Trojans turned up the intensity. Saldana started the quarter by spinning into the lane and sinking a tough jumper in the paint. Armendariz then found her again inside for another basket, bringing Pahrump within three at 32-29.
Boulder City responded with a layup, but the Trojans answered right back. Denton made a key defensive play, stealing the inbound pass and finding Thompson for a quick two points. Moments later, Armendariz dished a perfect pass to Thompson inside, and after a battle for the rebound, Thompson converted another bucket, making it a one-point game at 34-33.
The Eagles fought to maintain their lead, scoring inside again, but Pahrump refused to go away. Ondrisko came up with a huge steal and found Saldana in transition, who laid it in to bring the Trojans within one, 36-35.
With time winding down, Boulder City drew a foul but missed both free throws, giving the Trojans a chance. Pahrump had a final opportunity in the closing seconds, but a contested shot at the buzzer fell just short.
Despite the heartbreaking loss, the Trojans showcased their grit, defensive intensity, and ability to battle back under pressure. While the final score didn’t go in their favor, the Trojans proved that they are a team that won’t back down from a challenge. With their defensive tenacity and never-give-up attitude, they’ll be ready for their upcoming battles with Sloan, Meadows and SLAM. The final home game for the Lady Trojans will be Friday, February 7th vs. SLAM, at 6:30 p.m.
