Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Prep Basketball:

Boulder City girls move one step closer to 3A title

Expanded coverage

Boulder City High's girls basketball team advanced to the 3A Southern League title game with a 60-52 win against Moapa Valley on Thursday.

The Eagles also secured a berth in the 3A State tournament with the victory.

"This win was huge. Two teams go to state, so no matter what happens on Saturday we're going," Boulder City coach Brian Lemmel said.

Senior forward Caiti Forrester led the way for the Eagles with 30 points, seven assists and six rebounds in the first semifinal game of the tournament.

Freshman forward Karlee Koopman shined in her playoff debut with a double-double performance. She scored 12 points on 67 percent field shooting and grabbed 10 boards.

"It was a little nerve-wracking at the start of the game, but I knew I could count on everyone and that gave me confidence," Koopman said.

She said she's looking forward to playing in the state tournament, Feb. 27 at the Orleans Arena.

"It's amazing. I'm a freshman in my first year on varsity," she said. "We'll be ready. We practiced really good this past week for this game. We'll be ready for next week's games."

Boulder City took a 29-27 lead late in the second quarter on a three-pointer by Forrester, and while the Pirates stayed within striking distance could not overtake the Eagles.

"We played nervously at the beginning and let them hang around," Lemmel said. "We finally started to get it together in the fourth quarter."

Forrester nailed two more three-point shots in the final minutes of the third quarter, giving Boulder City a 45-38 edge.

The Pirates were able to get back within five points at 50-45 at the start of the fourth quarter, but Boulder City never let up.

Moapa Valley senior forward Brianne Olige and junior guard Shilo Parashonts each had 13 points to lead the Pirates.

The 3A Southern League girls championship game is scheduled for a 6:40 tip-off on Saturday at Desert Oasis.

Brent Hinckley is the Boulder City News sports writer and can be reached at 990-7822 or [email protected].

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