Lady Panthers bested by Smith Valley at State

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The Pahranagat Valley High School Lady Panther basketball team’s season ended in the 1A State Quarterfinals, as Smith Valley eliminated PVHS 49-36 at Reno High School on Thursday, Feb. 19. 

“[W]e struggled to rotate defensively quick enough and gave up too many easy scores. We also found ourselves in foul trouble, and unfortunately, our shots just didn’t fall,” said PVHS head coach Rebekah Steel. “All in all though, they worked hard and never gave up.” 

The Lady Panthers fell behind 8-2 halfway through the first, but senior Cami Cannon got some paint points to make it 10-6, and it was 12-8 Bulldogs after one period of play. Turnovers were a problem for the Panthers, as Smith Valley pushed the lead to 22-12 with four minutes until halftime. Junior Sofie Walch took a charge to slow the Bulldogs’ momentum, and classmate Sera Miller broke loose in the paint on a sideline inbounds play to make it a 6-point game. 

PVHS sophomore Raelee Christian then banked in a three and gathered a steal that made it 24-19 with less than two minutes until halftime. It was 26-19 going into the second half. Smith Valley started the second half with a 9-0 run. Miller stopped the bleeding with paint points and then collected an offensive rebound and put it back up to make it 35-23 with 2:21 left in the third. It was 41-26 going into the fourth. 

The Lady Panthers missed too many open looks and turned it over too many times, but this is a young team that featured just three seniors. Juniors Walch, Miller, Rylee Lewis and Sydnee Melton should return to lead next year’s squad, joined by sophomores Christian, Sierra Matthews and Shelby Fry; and a promising group of freshmen, including current varsity players Lia Rowley and Reagan Shumway. 

“We had a great season. There were a lot of things to be proud of. These girls work hard and play with class. They represented the school, community, and themselves very well. Their leadership is top notch…I am going to really miss our seniors. I am looking forward to our awesome underclassmen as they fill hard shoes, but they are very gritty and will definitely accept the challenge.”