3A REGIONALS: Teerlink helps Bulldog boys lumber into final

Winning ugly is something any basketball coach will take.

Doing so in a postseason game against a rival will make it just memorable enough.

Junior post Tyson Teerlink had nine points, nine rebounds and three steals to lead Virgin Valley’s boys to a 29-22 victory over nemesis Moapa Valley in a Class 3A Southern League semifinal Thursday at Durango.

“We’ve got to be happy that we got a win. That may be the ugliest game I’ve ever been involved in,” Bulldogs coach Rich Bohne said. “Both teams couldn’t hit the broadside of a barn, both teams missing good looks. Obviously there were some nerves that came into play. It’s always fun to beat Moapa, but Boulder’s not going to let us play like that again.”

Virgin Valley (12-14) advanced to meet Boulder City (18-9) in the league title game at 8:20 p.m. Saturday, with the winner clinching the lone bid to next week’s 3A state tournament in Reno.

Moapa Valley (3-21) stole the momentum when Shane Terril made a running 3-pointer from near halfcourt at the halftime buzzer to take a 14-12 lead. But the Bulldogs held the Pirates scoreless in the third quarter until a transition layup by Ben Stanly in the final minute of the period.

A steal and layup by Terril pulled Moapa Valley within 25-22 with just under 3 minutes left. But Virgin Valley’s Dee Bowler and Nolan Tanner combined to shoot 4-for-6 from the free-throw line in the final 47 seconds to help the Bulldogs pull away.

“I’m happy for the kids,” Bohne said. “They really wanted it, and I think both teams wanted it so bad they got out of their own comfort zone.”

Bowler had six points and five rebounds for the Bulldogs, and Dillon Graves added six points. Tanner supplied three points and nine rebounds for Virgin Valley.

Terril scored seven points and Stanly had four points and five rebounds for Moapa Valley, which attempted only three free throws to 18 for Virgin Valley.

GIRLS

Boulder City 58, Moapa Valley 30 — Katlyn Daly scored 12 points as the Eagles (22-5) cruised past the Pirates (5-21) in a semifinal.

Boulder City’s Jana Williams had 11 points and six rebounds, and Karlee Koopman supplied 10 points, five rebounds, three blocks and two steals.

The Eagles advanced to face Virgin Valley (15-9) in the league final at 6:40 p.m. Saturday at Durango, with the winner going to the state tournament.

Moapa Valley missed its first 10 shots as Boulder City built a 10-0 lead. The Eagles led 33-5 at halftime.

Boulder City held Moapa Valley to 12-for-63 shooting from the field, including 0-for-13 on 3-pointers.

“The girls were just really pumped from the get-go,” Boulder City coach Kate Elles said. “They did a really nice job on the fast break, and they were playing lock-down defense.”

Breanna Harding paced the Pirates with nine points.

Taylor McKeever had eight points and four steals for Boulder City, which got seven points each from Mallory Bird and Janika Ross.

Elles was pleased to see her team come out focused after suffering a 55-48 loss at Virgin Valley in the regular-season finale.

Now the Eagles will get a shot at revenge on the Bulldogs with a trip to the state tournament on the line.

“We lost to Virgin Valley that last game, and the girls were pretty upset,” Elles said. “But I think that was the best thing for them because it made them come to practice all this week and work that much harder.

“I told them that winning tonight earned them the luxury of one more practice and one more game, but that’s all they’re guaranteed until Saturday.”