MOUNTAIN VIEW TOURNEY: Olige’s free throws send Moapa Valley to title game

When Brianne Olige stepped to the free-throw line with a chance to send Moapa Valley to the title game of the Vegas Invitational, Pirates girls basketball coach Jessica Bucklin was more than confident in her senior forward.

Bucklin already was thinking of ways to stop a potential Needles last-second shot attempt. And after Olige went 2-for-2 at the line with 11 seconds remaining, that’s exactly what Moapa Valley did.

The Pirates rallied for a dramatic 39-38 win over the Mustangs on Friday in the semifinals of the tournament at Mountain View. They’ll face Lincoln County in the championship game at 8 p.m. Saturday.

“I had faith in her 100 percent,” Bucklin said of Olige, who had team highs of 11 points and 12 rebounds. “I was more concerned with us getting back and stopping their shot.”

The best look Needles could get was a desperation 3-pointer from the top of the key that missed as time expired.

“This is what we’ve been working for, and it feels great,” Olige said of reaching the title game. “I have a lot of confidence in our team now. We pulled it together and beat them.”

Junior guard Shilo Parashonts had seven points, five assists and three steals for Moapa Valley, which also got seven points from Caley Dunlap. The Pirates shot 7-for-8 at the foul line.

Alex Chandler had 12 points, three assists and two blocks for Needles, which led the entire second and third quarters before relinquishing the lead in the fourth.

Miranda Brackett added eight points and 11 rebounds for the defending Class 2A state champion Mustangs.

“We’ve been preaching on cutting down turnovers,” said Needles coach Manuel Calderon, whose team had 13 turnovers against Moapa Valley and 14 in a 43-39 win over Virgin Valley earlier in the day. “It’s kind of been the sword in our back.”

Moapa Valley, which outlasted Needles 13-7 in the fourth quarter, had seven players score overall.

“We’ve got it all spread out,” Bucklin said of her team’s offense. “Everybody attacks the basket. Even the girls that only played a minute or two gave it everything they had.”

Lincoln County 50, Faith Lutheran 26 — The Lynx held the Crusaders scoreless in the fourth quarter on their way to clinching a spot in the title game.

Senior guard Maicah LeBaron had 18 points for Lincoln County, which had eight players score.

Kelsey McCourt had 10 points for Faith Lutheran, which was outscored 14-3 in the second quarter.

The Lynx will try to go to 3-0 against the Pirates this season when they meet in the title game.

Fairmont Prep 48, Agassi Prep 26 — Jordan Esparza had 20 points to lead the Huskies, who bolted to a 36-11 halftime lead.

Larrisha Burrell, Tamiyka Clark and Noelle Chavis each scored six points for Agassi Prep.

In pool play:
Mountain View 45, Beatty 28 — Senior guard Ellie Markwardt returned from an ankle sprain that kept her sidelined Thursday to score a game-high 14 points and lead the Saints past Beatty.

Patrice Marshall scored all 12 of her points on 3-pointers for Mountain View, which led 17-4 after the first quarter.

Lincoln County 49, River Valley (Ariz.) 34 — Marissa Smerek scored 17 points and Kori Gloeckner 10 to lead the Lynx to the win.

Needles 43, Virgin Valley 39 — The Bulldogs used a 19-14 scoring edge in the third quarter to get back in the game, but the Mustangs held on for the win.

Brackett paced Needles with 18 points.

Virgin Valley sophomore center Rachel Morris scored 21 points.

Moapa Valley 53, Beatty 23 — The Pirates led 47-12 after three quarters — including a 19-2 margin in the third — on their way to an easy win.

Jessica Waite and Kayla Riggins each had 10 points for Moapa Valley, which had eight players score.

Autumn Spicer scored eight points for the Hornets, who shot 3-for-13 on free throws.

Fairmont Prep (Calif.) 44, Lake Mead 12 — The Huskies coasted to an easy win.

Freshmen Emily Dean and Jordan Clarke each scored five points for the Eagles.

Virgin Valley 46, Trinity 20 — The Thunder rallied from a 17-4 deficit entering the second quarter to pull within 20-14, but the Bulldogs closed the game on a 26-6 run.

Morris, who had 13 points, was one of eight players to score for Virgin Valley.