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Jan. 28, 2009
GAME DAY: DURANGO AT PVHSLADY TROJANS, BLAZERS TIED FOR THIRD IN SOUTHWEST
Today Who: Durango TrailBlazers at Pahrump Valley What: Sunset Region Southwest Class 4-A Division girls and boys basketball doubleheader. When: 5 p.m. girls, 6:30 p.m. boys. Where: Pahrump Valley High School gym. Durango Girls Coach: Lindsay Callaghan (first year) 2007-08 Record: 27-5 (10-2 Southwest) 2008-09 Record: 16-8 (5-3 Southwest) Pahrump Valley's girls are tied with Sierra Vista and Durango for third place in the Southwest; each is 5-3 in the division. Only the top four teams in each of the four divisions in Las Vegas qualify for the Southern 4-A regionals. The Blazer girls: Before the season began, the major concern was who was going to replace Lindy LaRocque, who scored 2,678 career points and is now at Stanford. Mia Bell, a 5-foot-6 senior guard, has stepped in with big-time numbers, averaging more than 30 points per game for a couple weeks before she was held to 15 by Bishop Gorman Monday night in a 59-29 loss to the Southwest-leading Gaels. Seven other letter winners are on the roster for Callaghan, a rookie coach. The players to watch include Jasmine Thomas (5-4 guard), Cherelle Hicks (5-10 junior forward), Amanda Boucher (5-5 guard) and Lindsay Williams (5-9 forward). Kristen Gaines is a 5-10 senior forward. Key common opponents: The Blazers lost 96-90 in two overtimes to Bonanza (a 66-62 winner against Pahrump Valley), lost 60-38 and 59-29 to Gorman (the Trojans fell 74-36), defeated Sierra Vista 61-54 (the Trojans lost 50-49 in overtime) and defeated Faith Lutheran 65-26 (the Trojans beat the Crusaders twice in the Times Trojans Cage Classic in December). -- Bonanza Boys Coach: DeShawn Henry (second season) 2007-2008: 12-13 (8-4 Southwest) 2008-2009: 11-7 (6-2 Southwest) Durango is bigger than some college teams, with five players listed at 6-5 or better on the preseason roster. The players to watch include Marcus Falley, a 6-3 senior guard who averaged 16 points per game last season and Monday night, scored 25 points in a 77-71 loss to Gorman. Donovan Williams, a 6-5 sophomore, is a potential big-time player. Kris Bennett, a 6-7 senior, already is, especially on defense. Other men to watch include 6-8 sophomore Greg Gentry and 6-6 freshman Shawn Jones. The bottom line for Pahrump Valley's teams? To stay close, the Lady Trojans have to find the best defensive matchup possible to slow down Mia Bell, a UNLV signee. The PVHS boys have to contend with the Blazers' impressive size to be competitive. -- Next games Pahrump Valley: In the division: Friday: At Sierra Vista, 5 p.m. Saturday: At Durango, 1:30 p.m. (postponed from Dec. 17.) Monday: At Bishop Gorman, 5 p.m. Feb. 4: Home, vs. Western, 5 p.m. (Banner Night) Feb. 5, Home, vs. Desert Oasis, 5 p.m. Feb. 11, At Bonanza, 5 p.m. Feb. 13, Home, vs. Spring Valley, 5 p.m. (Senior Appreciation Night). Regular season ends. -- Playoffs Sunset Regionals: Feb. 17-21: Sites to be determined. Nevada state tournament: Feb. 26-28: At The Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. |
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