VEGAS INVITATIONAL: Calvary Chapel’s whirlwind stretch ends with consolation loss to Clark

Two hours after taking midterm exams Thursday, the Lions were playing in the Vegas Invitational at Mountain View Christian School — a tournament they didn’t even enter.

With players leaving town for the Christmas holiday break, and scrambling to even get jerseys, coach Kelli Miller had her hands full.

Despite all the confusion, Calvary Chapel turned in a respectable showing, winning its first two games to earn a spot in Saturday’s consolation final against Clark.

However, the Lions ran out of gas, scoring just three points in the final quarter as the Chargers earned a 49-41 victory.

With all the last minute projects, it came as a shock to Miller that she even had a chance to play for a trophy Saturday.

“When I saw the presentation, I was thinking we could have won a plaque,” said Miller, whose team filled Adelson School’s spot in the tournament. The Lions dropped out of the tourney after an opening round 87-6 loss to Rialto (Calif.).

“It was crazy the last few days because we weren’t scheduled to be in the tourney,” Miller added. “It was tough because we knew nothing about our opponents the first couple of days.”

But the Lions showed plenty of heart to win on the first two days and trailled Clark 40-38 heading into the final period.

Calvary Chapel (10-3) made just one basket in the final eight minutes, that coming on its final possession.

“We played hard despite being shorthanded,” said Miller. “I’m proud of the way the players fought, especially our younger players.”

Phallen Nelson had 19 points, and Chloe Hammond scored 13 for the Lions.

The Lions didn’t have an answer for Clark sophomore Bobbi Floyd, who scored seven of her 17 points in the fourth quarter.

“These are a good group of girls,” said Clark coach Mike Moulchin. “We are still young, and going to make mistakes in execution. But they play very hard.”

Karlicia Stroughter led the Chargers with 18 points.

Clark 54, Agassi Prep 33 — Mary Taumoefolau came off the bench to score 16 points and lead the Chargers past the Stars in a consolation semifinal.

Clark led only 21-15 at the half, but limited Agassi Prep to two third-quarter field goals and took a 37-20 lead into the fourth quarter.

Floyd added 14 points for Clark.

Kareema Webb led the Stars with 13 points.

Agassi Prep 67, Rock Academy (Calif.) 48 — Javoulaee Green scored 20 points as the Stars downed the Warriors.

Azaria Conway-Wilson added 15 points for the Stars, who led 26-11 after the first quarter.

Sydney Daniel led all scorers with 25 points for Rock Academy.

Rialto (Calif.) 50, Bonanza 46 — Tamara Trigg scored five of her team’s six overtime points as the Lady Knights defeated the Bengals in the third-place game.

Bonanza’s Trane’e Jenkins hit a 10-footer with 24 seconds left, sending the game into overtime. However, the Bengals mustered only a Tanganika Hunt layup in the extra period.

Jenkins had 17 points and four rebounds for Bonanza, and Hunt added 13 points.

Brittany Neely led the Knights with 18 point, and Trigg scored 15.

Layton Christian (Utah) 44, Pahranagat Valley 36 — Alissa Atisme poured in 18 points, and Teneshia Davison added 16 points as the Eagles overcame a 24-19 halftime deficit and downed the Panthers.

Traci Strong had 21 points for Pahranagat Valley.

Chaparral 70, Fairmont Prep (Calif.) 55 — Unique Wilson led four double-figure scorers with 24 points as the Cowboys topped the Huskies.

Octavia Gray added 15 points, and Heaven Anderson scored 13 for Chaparral, which got 10 points from Alejandra Macias.

Samantha Clement hit five 3-pointers and finished with 26 points for Fairmont Prep.

Pahrump Valley 29, Beatty 19 — Britney Noel tallied nine points, and the Trojans outscored the Hornets, 20-4 in the second half to earn the win.

Amber Skilling and Inah Cunanan each scored eight points for Pahrump.

Melynda Gross led Beatty with 12 points.

Indian Springs 45, Mountain View 40 — Heather Thormahlen had 14 points to lead the Thunderbirds by the Saints.

Victoria Carpenter added 13 points for Indian Springs, which battled back from a 26-11 halftime deficit.

Rose Adkins scored 14 points, and Kiley Murphy tallied 11 points for Mountain View.