Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Valley beats Coronado, improves to 2-0

Vikings shake off injury to star player, start season hot

Prep Sports Now

Transitioning from football to basketball

Las Vegas Sun reporters Ray Brewer and Case Keefer wrap up the football season by discussing Bishop Gorman's second straight state championship and introduce the basketball season. They also discuss who to look out for next football season and debate the merits of sweatpants.

Team pages

Senior guard Christian Kessee scored 30 points Tuesday night as Valley won an 85-78 battle against Coronado.

Although Kessee contributed the bulk of the scoring, Valley coach Brian Farnsworth said the Vikings had a complete team victory. A number of Vikings scored nine points and J.J. Coleman and Royce Finley both had efficient all-around efforts.

“We rebounded really well and defended when we had to,” Farnsworth said. “That was the difference in the game.”

The win improved Valley’s record to 2-0 in a year where expectations are at their highest. The Vikings return all of their starters from last year’s team that made the Sunrise region semifinals.

They have 11 seniors.

“They want to go out with a bang,” Farnsworth said.

Farnsworth’s confidence in the class is apparent when considering what he’s dealt with this month. Farnsworth learned that Khristian Kirkwood — who led the Vikings last year in points, rebounds and assists — would miss at least a month with a broken foot.

Instead of panicking, Farnsworth moved on and trusted other players with expanded minutes.

“We’re pretty deep,” Farnsworth said. “I think that means we can play with anyone and I would hope we challenge for our league title. It’s about kids accepting their roles.”

The team appeared to have no problem with that against Coronado. They scored 29 points in the first quarter and jumped out to a big lead before allowing the Cougars to get back within two points in the second half.

But Valley was able to hold Coronado off with timely shots and defensive stands.

“We controlled pretty much the whole game,” Farnsworth said. “We’re hoping we can continue to be successful.”

Case Keefer can be reached at 948-2790 or [email protected]. Follow Case on Twitter at twitter.com/casekeefer.

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