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Pahranagat junior Sarah Back gets fouled by Tonopah’s Lauren Klapper.
This Saturday, the Lady Panthers host 3A Sunrise league leader Moapa Valley.
At Alamo last Saturday, Madison Williams scored eight points to help the Panthers topple the Tonopah Muckers 44-22. Madalyn Taylor and Karley Whipple each added seven points for Pahranagat Valley.
Lauren Klapper and Delaney Friel scored six points apiece to lead Tonopah.
Momentum turned in favor of the Lady Panthers very quickly in the first quarter as they held the Muckers scoreless until the final seconds when they made a couple of free throws.
The Panther girls came out with a very aggressive offense and defense, creating many turnovers and scoring opportunities and a run-and-gun offense. “It was a new thing for us,” said Coach Amy Huntsman. She thinks it might be something the team may work on perfecting here in the latter part of the season.
Pahranagat had a 22-11 halftime lead. Tonopah (3-10, 1-1) seems down this year, as they only scored 11 additional points in the second half.
Earlier on Tuesday, the girls registered a 54-31 win over Word of Life in league action. Word of Life will probably earn a berth in the playoffs, as their only remaining challenge will be at Tonopah this Saturday.
Pahranagat Valley has just one game this week, on Saturday, hosting a strong Moapa Valley team in non-league action. The Bulldogs are 18-3 heading into this week, leading the 3A Sunrise league and on a four-game winning streak. They will be coming to Alamo after having played at No. 2, Virgin Valley, (9-9) on Friday.
Moapa Valley is 5-2 against the Lady Panthers since 2007 and have won the last five meetings. “I don’t know much about them this season.” Huntsman said, “Usually they are very quick and like to put pressure on the ball. They’ll be a tough team.”
Moapa Valley was the 3A Southern League tournament champion last year, but lost to Lowry in last year’s state semi-finals.
Following this weekend, the Panther girls have just three league games remaining before the league tournament. If Pahranagat can finish No. 1 or 2, they will gain an automatic bye to the tournament semifinals in Las Vegas at a site yet to be determined.
