This final score is sure deceiving. The Valley Vikings basketball team beat host Las Vegas High 79-68 Friday, but it was anything but a comfortable double-digit victory in a battle of two undefeated Northeast League teams. Las Vegas led by 12 points entering the fourth quarter and appeared well on its way to earning sole possession of first place. But Valley picked up the pace in the final eight minutes, using a full-court pressure to create several turnovers and easy baskets, and scoring 36 fourth-quarter points to grab the crucial win.
Daniel Young knew he could be a better basketball player. Despite having minor success last year as a junior, the 6-foot-8 Valley High power forward wasn’t satisfied with himself. He averaged 8 points, 8 rebounds and 3 assists per game last year in helping the Vikings win the Northeast League title. The hard work has resulted in a college scholarship to Cal State-Fullerton.
The Green Valley High basketball team won this game because of its post players. Forward Devan Kohn scored 34 points and grabbed 17 rebounds Thursday, and center Brandon Hoisington had 16 points on 8-of-9 shooting in leading the Gators to a 72-54 victory against Valley in the Sunrise Regional semifinals at Foothill.
It was tough to tell Cameron Burton was a freshman playing in his first playoff game. Burton calmly drained a trio of 3-pointers in the fourth quarter Wednesday, helping the host Valley High basketball team overcome a seven-point fourth quarter deficit in a 72-66 victory against Coronado in the Sunrise Regional quarterfinals.
Chris Swanson was fouled hard on an aggressive drive the rim in the third quarter Friday night, being knocked to the floor and landing with a loud thud several in the gymnasium could hear. The Valley High point guard was in clear pain underneath the basket, needing a minute to regain his strength before finishing the Vikings’ home against rival Las Vegas High. The 5-foot-9, 135-pound Swanson could have easily avoided contact the rest of the night.
Freddie Banks doesn’t hesitate responding when asked who is the best high school basketball player to come out of Las Vegas. Banks smoothly answers the question with the same confidence he displayed in taking a crucial shot with the game on the line. “Freddie Banks, that is who is the best,” said Banks, who enjoyed a storied career at Valley High in the early 1980s before becoming one of UNLV’s all-time greats. He earned the right to talk about himself in the third person one unforgettable night in the March of 1987, when he seemingly couldn’t miss in knocking down ...
The Foothill High basketball team erased an 18-point third quarter deficit Tuesday in rallying for a 68-66 victory against visiting Valley in the Sunrise Regional quarterfinals.
Michael Thompson couldn’t lose track of where Canyon Springs teammate Jared Brandon was on the floor even if he wanted to. At this point, it’s become second nature. Thompson and Brandon have developed a feel for how each other that few can match after playing hundreds of games together over the course of many years. Valley knows about it all too well after Tuesday night. Thompson and Brandon, both seniors, led Canyon Springs to a 93-73 beat down against the team that’s supposed to cause it the most problems in the Northeast division.
This wasn’t the homecoming Hank Thorns envisioned. Thorns, a former Valley High basketball standout, returned to Southern Nevada Saturday with TCU but was limited to nine points and five assists against host UNLV in an 83-49 blowout defeat.
Like a spark slowly trickling down a long fuse, it was only a matter of time before Valley ignited in Tuesday night’s game against Arbor View. The Vikings slogged through a rough first half and trailed the Aggies at halftime, but burst the game open in the second half to take a 74-65 victory.
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.