The Pahrump Valley High School varsity girls’ basketball team delivered an impressive performance on Tuesday, January 21, defeating the Coral Academy of Science Las Vegas Falcons 49-40 in front of an enthusiastic home crowd. The Trojans, led by starters Ryleigh Denton, Savannah Thompson, Trinity French, Riley Saldana, and Nala Dalton, showcased determination, teamwork, and skill throughout the game.
The Trojans wasted no time asserting dominance in the first quarter. Trinity French found Riley Saldana inside for the game’s first basket, and Saldana followed with another push to the hoop, extending the lead to 4-0. Denton electrified the crowd with a steal and a layup, while Saldana added a free throw after drawing a foul. Saldana wasn’t done yet, driving inside for another two points, pushing the Trojans’ lead to 9-0. Thompson kept the momentum alive, scoring on a strong inside move and later adding another layup off a steal. Pahrump closed the quarter leading 13-6, holding the Falcons to limited scoring opportunities.
In the second quarter, the Trojans responded quickly to a Falcons three-pointer. Jules Ondrisko’s quick basket restored control, and Denton drained a deep three-pointer off an assist from Addi Nelsen to widen the gap. Saldana, unstoppable near the basket, added two free throws and another inside shot to pad the lead. Despite a late surge from the Falcons, including a buzzer-beating three-pointer, the Trojans entered halftime with a slim 24-22 lead.
The third quarter began with a scoring battle. Denton opened the period with a clutch three-pointer, while Saldana showcased her versatility with a spin move and layup. French added a free throw after drawing a foul, and Saldana’s defensive skills shone again with a steal converted into two points. Denton closed the quarter with another three-pointer, giving the Trojans a solid 35-29 advantage heading into the final stretch.
The fourth quarter saw the Trojans push their offense into high gear. Denton tied the game at 36 with a free throw after the Falcons briefly took the lead. French’s steal and assist to Ondrisko brought the Trojans back on top, and Ondrisko followed with another quick basket. Saldana and Denton combined for several critical plays, including Saldana’s steal and Denton’s coast-to-coast layup to extend the lead to 44-38. Thompson added another clutch basket late in the game, and Ondrisko sealed the win with a free throw. Saldana capped off her stellar performance with one final steal, passing to Denton for the game’s last points, securing a 49-40 victory.
The Trojans’ scoring was driven by standout performances from Denton, Saldana, Ondrisko, and Thompson, whose ability to convert steals into points and execute under pressure was key. The team’s balanced attack and defensive energy gave them control of the game, and they’ll look to carry this momentum into future matchups. The home crowd’s energy and support fueled the Trojans in this exciting win.
