On Friday, January 24th, Pahrump Valley High School’s Trojans hosted the Bonanza High School Bengals for a thrilling Senior Night game, celebrating the dedication and achievements of six seniors: Tramaine Burras, Antwahn Jackson, Nash Barnes, Eric Figueroa Renteria, Cartier Jenkins, and team manager Angelina Valdez. The atmosphere was electric as the seniors were honored for their contributions to the team and school, with the packed house rallying behind the Trojans in a hard-fought game. Despite their best efforts, the Trojans came up short, falling 49-62 in an action-packed matchup.
The game began with high energy as the Trojans took control early. Tramaine Burras won the opening tip and immediately scored a layup to set the tone. The Trojans’ defense came alive, forcing multiple turnovers, including a steal that led to a foul on the Bengals, giving Pahrump another chance to score. Burras shone again with a powerful spin move in the paint for another layup. While the Bengals responded with quick threes and fast-break points, the Trojans kept pushing. Antwahn Jackson and Nash Barnes worked hard on both ends of the court, with Jackson’s vision creating opportunities and Barnes driving into the lane for crucial points. The first quarter ended with Bonanza leading 19-10.
In the second quarter, the Trojans turned up the intensity. Burras continued to dominate, showcasing his athleticism with a monster block that brought the crowd to its feet. Angelina Valdez, celebrated earlier in the evening for her role as team manager, was seen on the sidelines cheering passionately and ensuring the team stayed focused. On the court, Alex Lozano added energy with a quick fast-break layup, while Jamiah Mendenhall stepped in with some tough defensive stops. Despite their efforts, Bonanza’s sharp shooting kept them ahead, leading 31-21 at halftime.
After regrouping during the break, the Trojans came out determined in the third quarter. Burras opened the scoring with a layup and a foul, converting the “and-one” to bring the Trojans closer. Jack Toth followed with a clutch three-pointer from the left wing, energizing the bench and the crowd. Pahrump’s defense stayed aggressive, with Cartier Jenkins and Lucas Gavenda stepping up to contest Bonanza’s drives. Burras continued to slash through the defense for short jumpers, while Lozano fought hard on the boards, but Bonanza’s consistent shooting kept them ahead, closing the third quarter with a 47-36 lead.
The fourth quarter saw the Trojans leave everything on the court. Mendenhall had a standout moment with a thunderous block, turning defense into offense as the Trojans pushed the ball up the court. Burras powered through for another layup and capped off a highlight reel moment with a crowd-pleasing dunk. Lozano drilled a three-pointer from the left wing, keeping the Trojans within striking distance. However, Bonanza answered every challenge with deep threes and quick drives, managing the clock effectively in the final minutes. Despite late steals and a fast-break layup attempt by Jackson, the Trojans couldn’t close the gap.
The game ended with Bonanza securing a 62-49 victory, but the night was about more than the score. Senior Night was a celebration of the leadership and contributions of the seniors, with Valdez’s role as a steady, supportive presence off the court earning her just as much recognition as the players. Though the loss was tough, the Trojans displayed toughness and heart throughout the game, giving their fans and their seniors a night to remember.
*A special thank you to Hunter Mellinger for his assistance on this article.
