1A GIRLS: Balanced Panthers claim fourth straight league tourney title
Pahranagat Valley’s girls basketball team prides itself on spreading the floor with multiple scoring options.
That quality was at the forefront Saturday as the Panthers captured their fourth consecutive Class 1A Southern League tournament title.
Bailee Hosier had 16 points and five steals, Kimberly Lewis had 16 points and seven rebounds, and the Panthers rolled to a 66-50 win over Beatty in the league final at Durango High.
Halie Lewis had 13 points and three assists, and Traci Strong scored 13 points for Pahranagat Valley (24-4), which jumped to an early 12-2 lead and was never seriously threatened.
“That’s been one of our goals this year,” Panthers coach Amy Huntsman said of the offensive balance. “I think it’s so much harder to defend a team that has balanced scoring instead of just one player.
“Hopefully if one kid gets double teamed or someone’s off, then someone else can step up.”
Both teams advanced to Friday’s Class 1A state semifinals at UNR’s Lawlor Events Center. Pahranagat Valley will meet Eureka at 11 a.m., and Beatty will play Wells at 2:20 p.m.
Kennedy Huntsman added six points for Pahranagat Valley, which built a 36-17 halftime lead on the undermanned Hornets (11-4).
Hosier was in an early rhythm shooting, scoring nine points in the first quarter and 14 of her 16 in the first half.
“We’ve been working on getting it inside to the posts,” Hosier said. “We can pass into our posts more, but just took the shots. When I’m open, I usually shoot.”
Amber Ibarra had 25 points, five rebounds and two blocks for Beatty, which had only six active players.
Melynda Gross added 10 points, six rebounds and two blocks for the Hornets.
