1A BOYS HONORS: Lake Mead seniors net one final common denominator

Landon Littlefield and De’Quan Thompson took turns carrying the scoring load for Lake Mead’s boys basketball team in 2009-10.

The senior guards also both signed with Dixie State (Utah) in November.

They recently shared another distinction, being named Class 1A Southern League co-Most Valuable Players by the league’s coaches.

“It’s a nice way for Landon and De’Quan to go out as co-MVPs,” Eagles coach Jeff Newton said. “They’re both unselfish toward each other. It was a neat gesture on behalf of the coaches to send those two off as co-MVPs. That’s something special for those two.”

Littlefield averaged 25.4 points and Thompson had 18 per game, leading Lake Mead to a 26-5 record and a 1A state finals appearance.

The Eagles failed to win their third straight state title, suffering a 63-53 loss to rival Pahranagat Valley in the championship game. It was Lake Mead’s first loss to a Nevada 1A opponent since the 2007 championship game to Trinity.

“We told the kids after the game, 'This is going to sting a little bit, but after the sting, you should think about all the great things you have done,’” Newton said.

“What I couldn’t help reminiscing about was, we went from the days of hoping for a state championship to where when we don’t win a state championship, it’s a shocker.”

As a senior, Littlefield became the first player in Lake Mead history to score more than 2,000 career points. He exploded for 54 in a league tournament semifinal win over Trinity.

Thompson, perhaps the league’s top perimeter defender, was named co-MVP for the second consecutive season after sharing the award as a junior with teammate Jeffrey Newton.

“Those kids have elevated our program,” said Newton, whose team will move up to the 2A level next season. “Their work ethic is contagious to the other kids.”

Coach of the Year went to Beatty’s Brian Hayes for the second year in a row. Hayes guided the Hornets to a 24-6 season and second-place finish in league play at 9-1.

State champion Pahranagat Valley was represented by junior guard Cody Hosier and senior forward Tommy Williams on the first team.

The first team was rounded out by Beatty’s Anthony Regalado and Ramiro Hernandez, Trinity’s Budweiser Hawkins, Round Mountain’s Will Sweeney and Indian Springs’ Adam Reinke.