The Pahrump Valley High School Girls’ JV basketball team ended their season on a high note Friday, February 7, with a thrilling 31-30 win over the SLAM Bulls. The Trojans put on an impressive display of teamwork, energy, and determination in their final game, keeping fans on the edge of their seats until the final buzzer.
Starters Autumn Colon, Ella Odegard, Natalia Vallin, Sydney Crotty, and Addi Nelsen set the tone early, with Crotty scoring the team’s first two baskets off assists from Odegard. The Trojans moved the ball well, finding open looks and capitalizing on scoring opportunities. Crotty continued to shine, adding another inside shot off an inbound pass to put Pahrump ahead 6-4 midway through the first quarter. Nelsen extended the lead with a trip to the free-throw line, and quick passing between Nelsen, Crotty, and Odegard resulted in another inside basket. Despite SLAM answering back with a fast-break score, the Trojans closed out the first quarter leading 9-6.
Pahrump’s defense stepped up in the second quarter, forcing turnovers and making SLAM work for every possession. Cindal Monahan battled under the basket, earning a trip to the free-throw line and hustling for rebounds. Odegard and Monahan connected for a key inside shot, while Natalia Vallin’s steal and aggressive play kept the Bulls from gaining momentum. The team’s unselfish ball movement continued to pay off, with Crotty converting a steal into points and Natalie Soto driving inside for a strong finish. The Trojans carried a 20-10 lead into halftime.
SLAM came out strong in the third quarter, cutting into Pahrump’s lead with back-to-back inside shots. The Trojans remained composed, with Odegard drawing a foul and hitting a free throw, followed by a smooth jumper from Crotty off a pass from Colon. As SLAM continued to press, the Trojans responded with patience, executing plays and capitalizing on opportunities in the paint. A well-placed inbound pass to Odegard extended the lead to 27-19 heading into the final quarter.
The fourth quarter brought intense moments as SLAM fought back, scoring six unanswered points to close the gap to 27-25. Colon found Nelsen for a crucial basket inside, helping the Trojans maintain their advantage. The game’s closing minutes were filled with tension, as Odegard earned a trip to the free-throw line and a technical foul on SLAM gave the Trojans another scoring opportunity. Odegard’s clutch free throws proved vital as SLAM kept pressing, pulling within one point with just seconds remaining. The Trojans’ defense held firm in the final moments, securing the 31-30 victory.
Coach Darla Sheppard reflected on the season’s conclusion, saying, “I was pleased that the girls concluded the season on a high note with the win against SLAM. They were such a fun group of girls to coach. They demonstrated so much effort and hustle. They developed so much throughout the year as well. Some of them had never played basketball and this was their first year, but they developed so much just from putting in extra work and being very coachable.”
The coaching staff was extremely pleased with how the girls played, showing poise and teamwork throughout the game. It was a fitting way to close out the season, with the Trojans giving everything they had in a hard-fought win.
