Moapa Valley boys hand Faith Lutheran home league defeat
Moapa Valley boys basketball coach Dallas Larsen didn’t try to conceal from his players that Faith Lutheran had never lost a Class 3A Southern League game at home before Friday.
“We talked about how they had never been beat in 3A on their home court,” Larsen said. “I told them, 'Are you going to step up to the challenge?’ ”
Not only did the visiting Pirates rise to the challenge, they also made a little history.
Shaun Hilton scored the go-ahead basket on the low block in the final two minutes, James Frehner made a pair of clutch free throws and Moapa Valley held on for a 58-54 victory that ended Faith Lutheran’s home streak.
It was a physical game, with double technical fouls being called on four players and five technicals overall.
“It’s a huge statement for us,” said Hilton, who scored a team-high 21 points. “It puts us in first in our league. As long as we keep playing solid defense and take care of the ball, we’ll be just fine.”
The Pirates sealed the victory by outscoring the Crusaders 11-5 in the final four minutes.
“We felt if I got the ball in the post, I could do my moves and get to the hoop, and that’s what we did,” Hilton said.
Max Jenkins added 18 points for Moapa Valley (10-3, 2-0). The Pirates shot 22-for-31 at the free-throw line.
“We didn’t execute down the stretch,” said Faith Lutheran coach Bret Walter, whose team made 12 of 22 at the line. “The game got physical, obviously, and they beat us by 10 at the line.”
The Crusaders have won four straight 3A state titles, but are in unfamiliar territory with an entirely new starting lineup.
“They’re going to have to take something from it,” Walter said. “They have to be ready to go every night. If they don’t know that now, then they never will.”
Brett Lubbe scored 22 points and Taylor Jantz 14 for Faith Lutheran (6-14, 1-1).
Moapa Valley guard Brad Weiss was held scoreless, but had eight rebounds and five assists. He also played solid defense, limiting Faith Lutheran scoring leader Chase Saunders to six points.
