Desert Pines’ Dayshawn Wiley (2) dunks the ball during the Class 4A Mountain Region championship game against Faith Lutheran at Desert Pines High School Thursday, Feb. 20, 2020. The Desert Pines Jaguars beat the Faith Lutheran Crusaders 74-55.
Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 | 8:45 p.m.
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Mike Uzan was confident he had the state’s best high school basketball team.
When Desert Pines won the class 3A title in 2013, Uzan didn’t hesitate wondering what would happen if his Jaguars matched up against Bishop Gorman, the large-school classification power. Always advocating for his players, he proudly said he liked their chances.
As Desert Pines became one of the Las Vegas area’s best programs, Uzan never changed his tune: Forget about the classification, the Jags can play with, and beat, anyone.
Friday, they will finally get that chance.
Desert Pines, now in the class 4A, knocked off Durango in the state semifinals Thursday at Lawlor Events Center, racing out to a double-digit lead and facing little resistance in a 72-50 win. They’ll head to the state championship game to face Gorman, the unquestioned favorites who will be playing for their ninth straight title.
A showdown with Gorman is not only a chance for Desert Pines to win a championship — it’s about solidifying the Jaguars' place as one of the valley’s elite basketball brands. They’ve won many regional titles, were the 3A champions in 2013, 2017 and 2018, and have a roster of players who can play with anyone in the city. Milos Uzan (Mike’s son), Dayshawn Wiley and Anthony Swift — each underclassmen — are college-caliber players.
“This is what we do. We coach kids,” coach Uzan said. “Our kids believe in what we do, that is the best part about it. If our kids believe in what we do, our parents believe in what we do and everybody believes in what we do — it makes it go.”
Desert Pines undoubtedly flies under the radar. Maybe it’s because they are located in east Las Vegas, where neighboring schools in the Northeast League often struggle to field a competitive team. Maybe it’s because they don’t regularly play against opponents in the more challenging Desert Region, such as Gorman, Coronado and Durango. Or maybe it’s because they haven’t had the chance to share a floor with Gorman with a championship on the line.
Regardless, there is no shortage of swagger.
“We know the type of team we have. We are confident,” said Milos Uzan, who led Desert Pines with 24 points, including a pair of 3-pointers in the third quarter when Durango was attempting to mount a comeback.
Desert Pines head coach Michael Uzan calls out to players during the Class 4A Mountain Region championship game against Faith Lutheran at Desert Pines High School Thursday, Feb. 20, 2020. The Desert Pines Jaguars beat the Faith Lutheran Crusaders 74-55.
Wiley had 12 points for Desert Pines and football standout Darnell Washington (he’s the nation’s top tight end for 2020) added eight points, all coming in the fourth quarter.
More important: The athleticism of the Desert Pines players, especially from its guards, controlled the game on both ends of the court for most of the night. The pressure defense and fast-paced offense is nothing new — it’s the same product year in and year out. Friday, it will face the ultimate test, and coach Uzan likes their chances.
So, how do you beat Gorman?
“Just come tomorrow and check it out,” Uzan said.
Ray Brewer can be reached at 702-990-2662 or [email protected]. Follow Ray on Twitter at twitter.com/raybrewer21
