Dave Maxwell
Pahranagat’s Culen Highbe goes up for a lay in against Sandy Valley. Saturday night the Panthers host Virgin Valley.
At Indian Springs Jan. 7, D’Quan Porchia hit a 15-foot jumper from the right elbow just ahead of the buzzer in overtime to lift the Spring Mountain Golden Eagles by Pahranagat Valley 46-44.
Porchia finished with 19 points, and teammate Guy Whitley scored 14 for Spring Mountain, which outscored Pahranagat 3-1 in overtime.
Culen Highbe led Pahranagat with a career high 20 points.
“It was a good game from a spectator’s point of view,” said Panther coach Mike Strong. “Very competitive. Each team would have a run and the other team would answer. Our kids played really well. We rebounded on the offensive boards really well, something we have been talking about needing to improve.”
Spring Mountain (5-6, 1-1) hit a three-pointer inside the last 20 seconds to take the lead, but Tabor Maxwell nailed his own three-pointer for the Panthers at the buzzer to tie it at 43 and send it to overtime.
Porchia’s game winner in overtime was one of those lucky shots that looks to miss, as he had two defenders in his face, but bounces off the glass just right.
The next night, Alamo opened their home league schedule behind the 6-8 Highbe once again. He led a balanced attack with 14 points as the Panthers beat the Sandy Valley Sidewinders 72-35.
Shawn Wadsworth added 11 points, and Cody Williams scored 10 for Pahranagat Valley, which led 36-14 at the half.
Wyatt Robinson had 13 points for Sandy Valley (2-5, 0-2).
Strong said, “All the kids played really hard, and we pushed the ball really well. We attacked the offensive boards well.” The team shared the ball and shared the points as 10 players were in the scoring column.
At the foul line, Pahranagat was 8 for 11 (73 percent) and Sandy Valley was 7 for 12 (58 percent).
Lund (0-3, 0-1) forfeited the varsity boys to Alamo on Saturday.
This weekend the Panthers (10-6, 2-1) have a road game tonight at Round Mountain and host Virgin Valley in a non-league game on Saturday at 6 p.m.
It will be Tough Like Tyce Night at the gym Saturday, a fundraiser to help defray the medical costs for 2-year old Tyce Campbell, son of former PVHS standout Amy Higbee.
The Panther boys next home league game is with Adelson Thursday, Jan. 14.
