Chargers’ Jones nets MVP for I-A South

Diontae Jones scored only six points in the Division I-A state title game. But the senior forward for the Clark boys basketball team still found a way to have a major impact.

Just like he did throughout his career.

“He goes out and basically shuts out a (6-foot-9-inch) kid,” Chargers coach Chad Beeten said, referring to Elko’s Brian Pearson. “It says a lot about his ability and overall approach to the game. ... The things he does sometimes don’t show up in the box score.”

Jones was the leading scorer and rebounder as the Chargers captured their first state title since 1993. The 6-6 Wyoming signee was also the team’s defensive catalyst, and that helped solidify his selection as the Division I-A Southern Region Most Valuable Player.

“He plays multiple positions, and he does the things you have to do to help the team win. That’s a recurring thing you hear other people and coaches say about Diontae,” Beeten said. “He’s such a defensive menace, the team definitely followed his lead.”

Jones averaged 13.9 points, 9.1 rebounds and 2.0 steals for the Chargers (25-5), who didn’t allow more than 48 points during five postseason games.

In a 43-25 victory over Elko in the state final, Jones helped limit Pearson to only five points, three rebounds and one blocked shot after the Alaska-Anchorage signee had nine boards and 11 blocks against Desert Pines in the semifinals.

Jones was a three-year starter for the Chargers and helped turn around a program that won only nine games during the 2010-11 season. Clark was 78-13 the past three seasons and reached two consecutive Division I-A state title games.

“People want to associate with winners,” Beeten said. “He won almost 80 games in three years. That says a lot about him as a winner.”

Clark junior guard/forward Bobbi Floyd was the girls Southern Region MVP after helping the Chargers (15-9) finish second in the Sunset League and advance to the Division I-A region semifinal.

Floyd was one of the area’s top scorers at 19.8 points per game and also averaged 14.7 rebounds. 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,” Clark girls coach Mike Moulchin said. “I think the best is yet to come for Bobbi. She’s very coachable and very energetic. She’s really worked hard.”

■ PILOTS PICKED FOR ALL-STAR GAMES — Findlay Prep seniors Rashad Vaughn and Kelly Oubre Jr. were selected to participate in the Jordan Brand Classic on April 18 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y.

Vaughn, a UNLV commit originally from Minnesota, and the Kansas-bound Oubre will play for the East team in the National Game, which features 26 of the nation’s top boys basketball prospects. The duo are the eighth and ninth players from Findlay Prep to play in the Jordan Classic.

In addition, senior forward Craig Victor, an Arizona signee, was chosen for the Ballislife All-American Game, according to Pilots assistant coach Andy Johnson. The fourth annual game is scheduled for May 3 at Long Beach (Calif.) City College.

■ RECENT COMMITMENTS — Shadow Ridge senior Jordan Hand to Cal State-Fullerton for baseball.

Contact reporter David Schoen at dschoen@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-5203. Follow him on Twitter: @DavidSchoenLVRJ.