The Pahrump Valley High School boys’ basketball team closed out a dramatic road contest with poise and timely shooting, earning a 54–48 win over the Green Valley Christian Guardians on Wednesday, January 21, at Green Valley Christian.
Green Valley Christian opened the night by winning the tip and knocking down a three-pointer to take an early 3–0 lead, but the Trojans quickly settled in. Lucas Gavenda got Pahrump Valley on the board at the free-throw line, converting both attempts after being fouled on a shot. Moments later, Gavenda followed Trae Plein’s miss for a putback, then caught a long pass in the paint for another score as the Trojans briefly pulled ahead. Caden Briscoe added a left-side layup to keep things tight, though the Guardians finished the quarter strong to take a 19–8 advantage at the end of the first.
The second quarter saw Pahrump Valley chip away possession by possession. Keir Sheppard was fouled and converted at the line, and Aydon Veloz went to work inside with a rebound and post move in the paint. Briscoe buried a three from the top of the key, and Veloz followed with two more baskets—one from the left block and another short jumper just outside the paint—to cut the deficit to two. Briscoe then jumped a passing lane for a steal and coast-to-coast layup, tightening the game even further. Trae Plein answered a foul with a three from the left corner to give the Trojans a brief edge, but the Guardians responded late, sending Pahrump Valley to the locker room trailing 28–23 at halftime.
Defensively, Sheppard spent much of the first half face-guarding Green Valley Christian’s top perimeter shooter, limiting clean looks and setting the tone for the second half.
Green Valley Christian scored first after the break, extending the lead to 30–23, but the Trojans responded immediately. Gavenda hit a free throw, Sheppard drilled a deep three, and Gavenda added two more from the line after being fouled on a transition opportunity. The Guardians answered with a three of their own, but Pahrump Valley continued to attack. Sheppard finished a full-court layup when the defense failed to step up, and Veloz scored inside late in the quarter to keep the Trojans within striking distance heading into the fourth.
The final period turned into a back-and-forth battle. Gavenda opened the quarter with a basket to tie the game at 39, though the Guardians answered with another three. Briscoe and Plein each made trips to the line, and Gavenda knocked down a clutch three from the right wing to pull the Trojans within three. With just over two minutes remaining, Josh Slusher grabbed an offensive rebound and drew a foul, setting up a key possession. After a missed call on a Gavenda attempt, Sheppard cleaned up the play with a putback and converted the and-one to knot the game at 46–46.
Pahrump Valley applied full-court pressure, forcing a timeout, then calmly executed in the bonus. Briscoe knocked down two free throws to put the Trojans ahead, but Green Valley Christian answered to tie it once more. Running a patient offense with crisp ball movement, the Trojans went back to the line, where Briscoe again converted both. With 33 seconds remaining, Gavenda sealed the night by draining a deep three, pushing the lead to five. A defensive rebound and one final free throw from Briscoe closed out the 54–48 victory.
After the game, Head Coach Toby Henry praised his team’s effort and execution.
“What a great game for our boys! They worked harder than any team I’ve coached. We had a game plan and our guys stuck to it. We were down 12 and our guys never gave up. Just like always, they never give up. It was a great win for our program.”
The road win showcased Pahrump Valley’s balanced scoring, disciplined defense, and ability to deliver in key moments as the Trojans get closer to post season.
