The Pahrump Valley High School boys’ basketball team faced a demanding Friday at the Holiday Classic, playing two physical, fast-paced games that featured momentum swings, sustained defensive pressure, and late-game intensity against strong opponents.
In the first game of the day against Doral Academy Red Rock, the Trojans were locked in early, holding a narrow edge in the opening minutes before Red Rock Doral surged late in the first quarter to take a 22–16 lead. Lucas Gavenda helped steady Pahrump Valley with a free throw in the closing seconds of the period, keeping the deficit manageable.
The Trojans gained traction in the second quarter, cutting into the lead with improved ball movement and defensive rebounding. A fast-break layup by Trae Plein and a strong finish underneath by Gavenda trimmed the margin to five, and a Plein three-pointer followed by two free throws from Keir Sheppard tied the game at 25–25. Red Rock Doral answered with back-to-back threes late, but Gavenda battled inside for a putback to make it 31–33 before the opponent hit a buzzer-beater to carry a 35–31 lead into halftime.
Red Rock Doral extended its advantage early in the third quarter, pushing the lead to 41–31 after a series of second-chance opportunities. Pahrump Valley responded with renewed defensive pressure, forcing turnovers and converting them into points. Gavenda scored on consecutive drives, Sheppard finished after a steal, and an and-one by Gavenda brought the Trojans within six at 42–48 midway through the quarter. Despite another Red Rock Doral push, Pahrump Valley stayed within striking distance heading into the fourth.
The Trojans opened the final quarter aggressively, using full-court pressure to spark a run. Plein and Gavenda scored off steals, and a corner three by Caden Briscoe helped close the gap. Late in the game, Sheppard caught fire from deep, knocking down multiple three-pointers to bring Pahrump Valley within one at 81–80 with under a minute remaining. Red Rock Doral converted key free throws down the stretch, and despite a final push, the Trojans fell 86–80 after an intense, back-and-forth finish.
Later that day, Pahrump Valley returned to the court to face the Western High School Warriors. The Trojans came out strong, with Sheppard hitting an opening three from the corner and Aydon Veloz scoring inside to build an early 5–2 lead. Defensive pressure paid off again as steals led to quick baskets, including another Sheppard jumper that helped extend the advantage to 12–4.
Western slowly worked its way back, capitalizing on turnovers and late first-quarter fouls to close the gap. Pahrump Valley carried a 16–11 lead late in the opening period, but Western trimmed it to five at the break. The second quarter proved difficult offensively for the Trojans, as Western took advantage of missed opportunities to take a 28–22 lead into halftime.
In the third quarter, Pahrump Valley looked to regain momentum. Josh Slusher earned free throws on a putback, and Gavenda knocked down a corner three to keep the Trojans within reach. A quick sequence featuring an offensive rebound by Veloz and a Sheppard three cut the deficit to 34–29, but Western responded consistently to maintain control and led 40–31 entering the fourth quarter.
The Trojans continued to compete in the final period, with Gavenda scoring through contact for an and-one and Sam Mendoza drilling a three from the right wing. Despite continued pressure and defensive effort, Western answered each run and pulled away late, securing a 56–41 win.
Across both Friday games, Pahrump Valley showed persistence, defensive intensity, and the ability to respond to momentum swings against quality competition. The Trojans’ effort on both ends of the floor reflected continued growth and resilience, setting the stage for their final game of the Holiday Classic the following day as they looked to carry lessons learned into the rest of the tournament and the weeks ahead.
