‘V Game’ between Las Vegas and Valley helps bring back old memories

By Ray Brewer (contact)

Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2017 | 10:05 p.m.

You don’t easily forget these type of nights.

I was a pimple-faced freshman at Chaparral High in 1990 when the Cowboys hosted Western in the first game of the season. We had Damian Smith, who I promise is the best 3-point shooter in state history. Western had Prince Fowler, maybe the best player in state history, and big man Booker T. Washington.

The game went back and forth. The excitement grew with each possession. I don’t remember who won that night, probably because in the grand scheme of things wins and loses are secondary in high school sports.

I was reminded of that tonight.

Las Vegas High coach Jason Wilson has told me for years to check out the "V Game" between the Wildcats and Valley. Two years ago it sold out and fans were turned away. The atmosphere, he promised, was something I’ve never experienced.

Wilson was right. Tuesday was an awesome night for all involved, even for Valley players who put up a valiant fight until the end of a 70-61 defeat.

It reminded me of how intense high school basketball was in Las Vegas when I was growing up, when the town was much smaller and each school was loaded with talented players. The growth has watered down the talent.

Valley trailed by 20 points at the beginning of the fourth quarter when its fans started chanting, “Valley, Valley.” It came as a bit of a surprise considering the score and the fact Valley was the road team. Valley responded by trimming the lead to seven points, which you should have expected considering it’s a rivalry game.

The band seemed to play louder, the cheerleaders cheered more intently and coaches stomped their feet with more authority on the sideline. It seemed like a playoff game.

“You can throw records and whatever else out the door in this rivalry game,” Wilson said. “They just kept coming at us.”

Earlier this week, Wilson received plenty of text messages of encouragement from former players because they knew it was the week of the "V-Game" and Vegas hasn’t lost the rivalry in four years. Make it five.

The schools have been around for decades and have a rich history. We still talk about Las Vegas’ Freddie “Machine Gun” Thompson and Valley’s Freddie Banks. We remember going to games at the old Las Vegas High in downtown and jockeying for a seat on Friday night. They called it the “Cat Cage.”

The "V Game," even if it’s for one night, brings us back in time. The kids appreciate their small part in the history, realizing tonight wasn’t about them — it was about playing for the players before them. Win or lose, the result wasn’t important.

The kids — from the players on the court to the students in the stands — helped continue a tradition. They were creating their own memories. For as big as Las Vegas has grown, we are still a small town. And in our small town, we love our high schools.

“It was loud. What a great atmosphere,” Las Vegas guard Deondre Northey said. “We just keep on fighting.”

Ray Brewer can be reached at 702-990-2662 or [email protected]. Follow Ray on Twitter at twitter.com/raybrewer21