Basic hopes for continued momentum

By Sean Ammerman

Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2008 | 5:10 p.m.

Basic's boys basketball team hopes its performance in the Lake Mead Holiday Classic will spark a turnaround.

The Wolves, who have missed the postseason the last two years, went 5-0 in the 12-team tournament, defeating Boulder City High 58-43 on Saturday in the finals to claim the title.

The question now is whether Basic can continue the momentum into Southeast Division play.

"This gives us a lot of confidence," Basic coach Steve Bentz said. "Usually it takes five or six games before we get our first win so starting off 5-1 is good. It definitely feels good to be on the other side of it."

Basic opened the season with a 57-54 loss at Chaparral on Dec. 2, but had an easier time against its opponents in the tournament, which ran Dec. 4 to 65 at Lake Mead Christian Academy in Henderson.

The Wolves, the only 4A school in the tournament, won by an average of 17 points per game while having three of its players —center James Holmes, guard Mike Feher, and forward Nick Sangchaloay — named to the all-tournament team.

"I expected us to come in and win," Bentz said. "Even though there were a lot of small schools in the tournament, there were some good teams. It only takes eight players to have a good team."

Sangchaloay, a first-year varsity player, averaged 14 points per game to be named the tournament's MVP .

"I feel like I have a lot to prove this year," said Sangchaloay, who was ineligible last season after transferring from Green Valley High. "It was killing me last year to watch the team play but not be able to contribute."

While Sangchaloay was a major threat early in the tournament, he was limited to four points by Boulder City in the finals.

Basic turned to junior guard Tyler Dobbins, who scored eight points in a 12-2 second quarter run that established a comfortable lead.

"This was a really good win for us," said Dobbins, who finished with 12 points, nine assists and seven steals. "Basic usually doesn't come together until the end of the season. This will hopefully get us to jump start the season early."

Boulder City cut its deficit to five points early in the fourth quarter, but Basic's Vince Carducci stopped the rally with a 3-pointer.

Basic looks to continue its strong play when the league schedule begins against Silverado on Dec. 16.

Sean Ammerman can be reached at 990-2661 or [email protected].