DIVISION I-A GIRLS HONORS: Floyd shines in junior season, named MVP

When Clark’s girls basketball coach Mike Moulchin reflects on Bobbi Floyd’s junior season, his mind immediately jumps to Jan. 23.

“The first Faith Lutheran game was her defining moment,” Moulchin said.

Floyd, the Division I-A Southern Region Most Valuable Player, hit the go-ahead basket with 12.3 seconds remaining as the visiting Chargers upended the defending state champions 41-40 in an early battle for first place in the Sunset League.

The guard/forward finished with 23 points and 17 rebounds against the Crusaders, but it was her leadership prior to the game that Moulchin will never forget.

Moulchin’s uncle died that morning, and the Chargers coach said he wasn’t sure he was going to make it to Faith Lutheran in time for tipoff. Once he arrived, Moulchin was informed there was no need for him to give a pregame talk.

Floyd already took care of it.

“The other coaches told me Bobbi went over the game plan and they were ready to go,” Moulchin said. “That was the best game the program has had in years. It kept a winning streak going, and we were really hitting our stride then.”

Floyd was one of the area’s top scorers at 19.8 points per game and also averaged 14.7 rebounds as the Chargers (15-9) advanced to the Division I-A region semifinals. Her biggest improvement this season came as a defender, highlighted by a 16-rebound, nine-block performance in a 53-49 victory over Sunrise Mountain to open the postseason.

“She was able to play both ends of the floor, which she didn’t do her first two years,” Moulchin said.

Floyd made a nonbinding oral commitment to Delaware State during the season, and Moulchin expects more schools to recruit Floyd before her senior season.

“I think the best is yet to come for Bobbi,” Moulchin said. “She’s very coachable and very energetic. She’s really worked hard.”

Whitney Barlow, who led Boulder City to the state title game, was joined on the All-Southern Region first team by teammate Megan Morton, Faith Lutheran’s Dani Tharaldson, Abbie Barnard of Virgin Valley, Destiny Gonzalez of Western and Sunrise Mountain’s Brittany Veal. Chris Williams of Sunrise Mountain was the Southern Region Coach of the Year.

Barlow was the MVP of the Sunrise League. Barnard was named to the first team along with Morton, Veal, Marcia Hawkins of Chaparral, Tyrah Lee of Sunrise Mountain and Desert Pines’ Chrystian Myles. Williams was the Coach of the Year.

Floyd earned Sunset League MVP honors. Tharaldson and Gonzalez were joined on the first team by Clark’s Ci’Quadya Belser, Bria Buchanan of Cheyenne, Morgan Hill of Faith Lutheran and Western’s Capricia Pierce. Moulchin was the Coach of the Year.