The Pahrump Valley High School Trojans boys’ junior varsity basketball team faced a tough opponent in the Doral Academy Red Rock Dragons on Monday, January 6, at home. Despite falling 43-68, the Trojans displayed commendable effort that kept their spirits high throughout the game.
The Dragons set the tone early with an aggressive full-court press that pressured the Trojans into several turnovers. However, Pahrump’s Luca Blundo got the team on the board with a clean two-point shot to bring the score to 5-8 early in the first quarter. The Dragons’ relentless defense began to widen the gap, but the Trojans fought back. Levi Denton broke through the press with a determined drive to the basket, adding two points to make it 7-16. Shortly after, TC Hone was fouled on a strong play in the post, sinking his shot and the free throw to bring the score to 10-21. Late in the quarter, Trae Plein added a basket under the hoop, closing the first quarter at 12-27.
In the second quarter, the Trojans started to find their rhythm. Jack Toth electrified the crowd with a deep three-pointer, cutting into the Dragons’ lead. Moments later, Jamiah Mendenhall drew a foul and converted one of two free throws, further narrowing the gap. Lucas Gavenda showcased his athleticism with a contested layup on a fast break, keeping the Trojans in the fight. At halftime, the Trojans trailed 19-38, but their energy and determination were evident.
The third quarter saw the Trojans mounting a stronger offensive effort. Gavenda opened the scoring with a smooth layup, and Plein added to the momentum by drawing a foul and sinking one of his free throws. Despite the Dragons pulling ahead, Plein continued to shine, scoring consistently and giving the team a boost. As the quarter ended with a score of 31-57, the Trojans’ bench remained engaged and supportive, emphasizing the team’s resilience.
The Trojans continued to battle in the final quarter, with key contributions from several players. Caden Neeley powered through the defense for a tough basket and earned a trip to the free-throw line, where he narrowly missed the extra point. Kamden Moore followed with a hard-fought play in the paint, converting a shot and the accompanying free throw to bring the score to 36-63. Denton attacked the basket with a driving layup and earned another point at the line shortly after. The Trojans ended the game on a high note, with Mendenhall and Neeley drawing fouls and putting the Dragons’ defense to the test. Despite the final score of 43-68, the Trojans’ persistence and teamwork were evident throughout the game.
Though the Dragons took the win, the Trojans demonstrated remarkable determination against a challenging opponent. Each player contributed to the team’s effort, gaining valuable experience and confidence as they continue their season. Fans can look forward to seeing this young team build on their performance in upcoming games, with their next home game on Friday, January 10th at 5p.m in the Pathways gym.
