The Pahrump Valley High School Trojans boys’ basketball team gave their home crowd a night to remember on Friday, December 13, with a stunning last-second 49-48 win against the Moapa Valley Pirates. In a game filled with ups and downs, the Trojans battled back from an early 17-point deficit, showcasing resilience, teamwork, and heart.
The Pirates came out strong, quickly building a commanding 17-0 lead in the first quarter, using a relentless press and sharp shooting. It wasn’t until Alejandro Lozano’s layup late in the quarter that the Trojans got on the board. Tramaine Burras followed up with a layup and a free throw, and Lucas Gavenda’s buzzer-beater brought the score to 17-7 at the end of the first quarter.
“We had a rough start, but we finally picked it up in the second half, which I totally appreciate,” said Head Coach Braydon Preston. “It was all about getting the offense going.”
The Trojans’ offense began to find its rhythm in the second quarter, with contributions from Lozano, Burras, and Jack Toth. Lozano’s breakaway layup and jumper highlighted the team’s growing momentum, narrowing the gap to 24-19 at halftime.
Coach Preston’s halftime message resonated with the team. “I told them to fix their attitudes and focus on reversing the ball on offense. That was our main objective,” he said. The Trojans looked like a different team in the second half, attacking the basket, hitting key shots, and playing with renewed energy.
In the third quarter, Toth’s three-pointer and Lozano’s inside scoring brought the Trojans within striking distance. Caden Briscoe’s buzzer-beater narrowed the Pirates’ lead to 37-33 heading into the final quarter.
The fourth quarter was a nail-biter. Lozano’s three-pointer and Burras’ layup kept the Trojans in the game, while Toth’s clutch three-pointer brought the Trojans to within one point. With less than two minutes remaining, Gavenda’s rebound and putback made it a one-point game at 47-46.
Then came the dramatic finish. With just 0.3 seconds left on the clock, Briscoe drained a three-pointer to put the Trojans ahead 49-48. Moapa called a timeout and attempted to respond, quickly throwing the ball downcourt. With the Trojans in the bonus and reluctant to play overly aggressive defense, Moapa managed to get off a last-second shot. The ball hit the rim but didn’t fall, sealing the Trojans’ hard-fought victory.
“It was an all-team effort, and I greatly appreciate this team working together,” Coach Preston said. “We stayed positive, and that made the difference.”
Alejandro Lozano led the Trojans with 15 points, while Burras, Toth, and Briscoe all delivered crucial plays when it mattered most. The victory showcased the Trojans’ ability to overcome adversity and fight until the final buzzer.
With a win like this, the Trojans proved their determination and teamwork, leaving fans eager to see what’s next for the season.
