The Pahrump Valley High School boys’ JV basketball team faced a tough road test on Friday, December 12, traveling to Mesquite to take on the Virgin Valley Bulldogs. While the Bulldogs ultimately pulled away for a 48–23 win, the Trojans showed determination, competitive stretches, and moments of strong execution throughout the game.
Pahrump Valley opened the night with confidence, as Chasen Hamann and Anthony Montanez combined to score the first four points for the Trojans, giving the visitors an early edge. The opening quarter remained tight, with both teams trading baskets. Virgin Valley briefly pulled ahead with a layup and a three-pointer, but Kamden Moore answered with a strong move inside to keep the Trojans within two late in the period. Virgin Valley added a free throw just before the buzzer to take a narrow 9–6 lead after one.
The Trojans continued to fight in the second quarter. Bradly Griffin opened the scoring with a layup, and after Virgin Valley responded, Tanner Gott drilled a three-pointer to knot the game at 11–11 midway through the quarter. Defensive pressure on both sides slowed the pace, and while the Bulldogs were able to string together a few baskets, Griffin added another score late to keep Pahrump Valley close. At halftime, the Trojans trailed 19–13 but remained well within reach.
Pahrump Valley came out of the break with renewed energy. Gott opened the third quarter with a floater in the lane, and Moore followed with a three-pointer to cut the deficit to three. Moments later, Gott connected again from beyond the arc to tie the game at 21–21, marking a strong surge for the Trojans and their closest point of the contest. Virgin Valley responded with a late run, however, scoring in the final seconds of the quarter to take a 29–21 lead heading into the fourth.
The Bulldogs found their rhythm in the final period, capitalizing on offensive rebounds and transition opportunities to build momentum. Despite the run, the Trojans continued to compete, with Griffin attacking the basket for a late layup as Pahrump Valley worked to close out the game with effort on both ends of the floor. Virgin Valley added several late baskets to seal the 48–23 result.
JV Head Coach Royce Avena reflected on the game afterward, saying, “We never found our rhythm. We missed several layups at the start and we never recovered. At the end of the third period we cut it to six. But in the fourth we just couldn’t build any momentum and ultimately that’s what did us in.”
While the final score didn’t favor the Trojans, the game featured strong stretches of play, especially during the third quarter rally. The road experience and lessons learned against a physical Virgin Valley squad will be valuable as Pahrump Valley continues to build chemistry and push forward through the season.
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