MOAPA VALLEY TOURNEY: Jenkins leads Pirates to title
Fresh off a strong defensive effort against Lincoln County, Moapa Valley used 25 steals, and an MVP performance from power forward Max Jenkins, to beat West Wendover 84-41 in the Moapa Valley Holiday Classic on Tuesday.
Moapa Valley and Canyon Springs JV both finished 3-0 in the tournament, but the Pirates allowed fewer points to win the champinship.
“Wendover had 25 turnovers tonight. We had the kids focus on defense and that is what created the offense,” Pirates coach Dallas Larsen said.
Using a fast-break led offense, junior Matt Vallet was able to score a game-high 16 points, most coming off fast-break layups. Jenkins and Shaun Hilton each had 15 points.
“Vallet is deceptively quick. He looks like he should play in the post but he runs the floor well,” Larsen said.
Drew Arien scored 22 points for West Wendover.
The all-tournament team consisted of MVP Jenkins, Canyon Springs JV’s Trey Evans, The Meadows’ Max Newman, Cory Zimmer of McCoy (Canada), Lincoln County’s Eric Rippetoe, and West Wendover’s Miles Bostack.
Canyon Springs JV 74, West Wendover 55 — Arien’s 24-point effort wasn’t enough for the Wolverines, who trailed 22-8 after the first quarter.
The Meadows 79, McCoy (Canada) 58 — Newman had 30 points, and the Mustangs pulled away after leading 32-30 at the half.
Austin Brown added 17 points for the Mustangs. Garrett Gosse scored 13 and Richard Martinez 10 for The Meadows.
Lincoln County 59, McCoy (Canada) 52 — Cody Burgess scored 17 points to lead the Lynx, who held on after taking a 30-19 halftime lead.
Eric Rippetoe added 14 points and Mike Shinkle 11 for Lincoln County.