Bob Hopkins, head coach of the Pahrump Valley High School girls’ basketball team, is entering his 21st year coaching girls’ basketball in Pahrump, adding to an impressive career spanning nearly five decades. Known for his strategic expertise and emphasis on defensive play, Hopkins is gearing up for what he describes as a “rebuilding year” with a young and relatively inexperienced team.
Having retired from teaching just before the pandemic, Bob Hopkins remains a vital part of the local basketball community. Over nearly three decades in Pahrump, he has developed a program known for its grit, determination, and defensive focus. Reflecting on the upcoming season, Hopkins shared his goals for the team: “We just want to get better every practice and every game. We might not be as strong as we’ve been in the past, but we’re not going to be as bad as people think either. If we can get things going, we have a shot at winning the league.”
This season comes with challenges as the team lost several key seniors to graduation. Hopkins confirmed that Riley Saldana is the only returning player with significant varsity experience. Additionally, standout player Evelyn Armendariz is sidelined with an injury, though she may return late in the season. Hopkins is cautious about her timeline. “I’ve told her not to push it. If she comes back too soon, it could set her back even more,” he noted. Despite these setbacks, the team sees promise in newcomers and younger players. Ryleigh Denton, a returning player who moved back to Pahrump after spending the last few years in Italy while her father was deployed, is expected to make an impact. Trinity French, another senior, is also likely to play a key role. “We’ve got a lot of freshmen and sophomores who show potential,” Hopkins said. “We had 30 girls at tryouts, and that’s encouraging.”
Coach Hopkins has assembled a dedicated coaching staff to guide the team through the season. His assistants include Brittany Wagner, Darla Sheppard, Erik Odegard, and Jessica Saldana, all of whom bring unique experiences and skills to the team. Hopkins takes particular pride in working with former players who know his system inside and out. “Darla was on two state championship teams in 2004 and 2005, and Brittany was a freshman on our travel team when we won in 2005. They’ve been through it all and understand the level of commitment and hard work it takes,” Hopkins said. Jessica Saldana, who also played for Hopkins on the 2004 state championship team, rounds out the team of alumni coaches. “These women know exactly what I expect and can pass that knowledge and work ethic on to the players.”
Erik Odegard is the exception when it comes to playing for Coach Hopkins. Having joined the team after coaching at the middle school level for several years, Hopkins values the perspective Odegard brings, adding, “He’s done a great job developing younger players. Having him on the team is a big plus, especially since we have so many underclassmen this year.” Odegard will be the Freshman team coach.
This season, Hopkins plans to focus on defense, which has been the backbone of his teams for years. “We don’t score a lot, but we play really good defense,” he said. “This year, we’re emphasizing our read-and-react offense. It’s all about movement, passing, and cutting—no standing around.” The introduction of the shot clock, a first for Nevada high school basketball, is another adjustment. Hopkins views it as a positive change. “We’ve faced the shot clock in out-of-state tournaments before, and it’s never been a problem for us. It’s a good thing—it forces quicker decisions and rewards good defense.”
The team’s schedule faced an unexpected shake-up when a tournament they planned to attend was canceled. Hopkins is now scrambling to find replacement games. “If we don’t find games, we’ll go into our first home game on December 13th with only two games under our belt, while teams like Moapa Valley will have played seven,” he explained. Hopkins expects stiff competition in the league, citing Coral Academy, Boulder City, and Meadows as likely contenders. On the other side of the division, he predicts Virgin Valley will be strong. “It should be evenly matched this year,” he said. “We just need to get out there and play hard.”
The team continues to engage the community through its Adopt a Player fundraiser, which allows individuals to support players by helping cover expenses like travel, uniforms, and equipment. “It’s a great way for the community to get involved and show these girls they have people rooting for them,” Hopkins shared. Anyone interested in supporting the team with this $25 donation can reach out to Coach Hopkins via text for more information at 775-910-9409. The donation also comes with a Trojans Basketball shirt.
Hopkins has always emphasized effort and accountability on the court. “When we play, fans tell me they love watching our kids because they play hard,” he said. His goal for this young team is to instill that same tenacity. “Mistakes happen, but you can’t let them compound. Hustle back, and don’t give up.”
With decades of experience, a dedicated coaching staff, and a crop of eager young players, Coach Hopkins is optimistic about the season ahead. The team may be rebuilding, but under his leadership, they’ll continue to be a source of pride for Pahrump Valley High School and its community.
