The Pahrump Valley High School Girls’ Basketball team (Trojans) displayed promising development during their tournament appearance in Reno from December 5–7, 2024. The team competed in three games, finishing with a 2-1 record and highlighting their potential as a young, growing squad. The weekend drew support from nearly a dozen PVHS alumni and Superintendent Dr. Joe Gent, who traveled to cheer on the team.
The Trojans began the tournament with a commanding 64-8 victory over enCompass Academy (Explorers) on December 5. The lopsided win allowed for significant contributions from all players, with everyone scoring and getting valuable time on the court. “Everybody scored in the first game, and everybody got to play a lot,” said Head Coach Bob Hopkins. Riley Saldana led the scoring with 10 points, and Autumn Colon added defensive intensity with 5 steals.
Their second game on December 6 against Sparks High School (Railroaders) proved more challenging. The Trojans started strong but struggled in the second half, converting just 1 of 22 shots in the third quarter. They narrowly lost 29-26 in a low-scoring affair. “I was not happy with our kids’ effort in the second half,” admitted Coach Hopkins. “We worked on our press offense, but we hadn’t really worked on pressing anybody.” Despite the loss, the team showed flashes of determination, with Riley Saldana and Ryleigh Denton each scoring 8 points. Freshman Ella Odegard was a bright spot in the game. “Ella had to play post for us, after Savannah Thompson’s injury, and did a super job,” said Coach Hopkins. “I think she’s the only one that made a field goal in the second half of that game.”
The Trojans closed the tournament on December 7 with a dominant performance against Dayton High School (Dust Devils), winning 52-24. Learning from the Sparks game, they implemented a full-court press early, which helped them score 21 points in the first quarter alone. “We came out and pressed right away, and it worked,” said Coach Hopkins. Ryleigh Denton had a standout game, scoring 24 points, making 9 steals, and going 7 for 7 from the free-throw line. Denton’s aggressive play also led to 4 fouls. Odegard continued her strong weekend, contributing 12 points and stepping into into the key post role again.
Coach Hopkins expressed satisfaction with the team’s progress over the weekend. “It was the kind of tournament that we needed, so we can see what the kids can do,” he said. While the team faced some adversity, including Savannah Thompson being sidelined for the remainder of the tournament, after a hit in the Sparks game, the experience provided valuable lessons for the young squad.
Next up, the Trojans will play their first league game against Coral Academy on Thursday, followed by a home matchup against Moapa Valley on Friday, a team Coach Hopkins respects. “Moapa’s a little bit like us—they lost a lot of their kids from last year. It should be an interesting game,” he said.
The Reno tournament was a strong step forward for the Trojans, showcasing their talent and growth as a team. With key players stepping up and the entire roster contributing, they look ready to tackle the challenges of the season ahead.
*A special thank you to Alina Veloz for the photos.
