1A BOYS: Panthers survive in OT, will meet Lake Mead for title

Brady Whipple made plenty of plays on the football field last fall in leading Pahranagat Valley to the Class 1A state title.

On Friday, he proved to be a pretty clutch basketball player as well.

Whipple had eight points in overtime to lead the Panthers to a 74-67 win over Smith Valley in the 1A semifinals at the Orleans Arena.

“He’s a big-time player,” Pahranagat Valley coach Brian Higbee said. “That’s something Brady’s done pretty much in everything. When we need him to score, he scores. And he’s a real floor leader. He’s a real special kid.”

Pahranagat Valley (23-7) will play Lake Mead (24-8) in the title game at 1:40 p.m. today.

Whipple even hit two free throws in overtime, something the Panthers struggled to do all game. Pahranagat Valley was 14-for-30 (46.7 percent) from the foul line. The biggest misses came in the fourth quarter, as the Panthers missed the front end of three one-and-one opportunities in the final 1:26 of regulation.

The Panthers led 63-59 with 1:26 left, but the missed free throws allowed the Bulldogs (25-6) to rally. Smith Valley tied the score at 63 on a post bucket by freshman Trevor Hemsath with 15 seconds left.

Whipple missed a shot, but Tommy Williams was fouled going for the rebound. He went to the line but missed his free-throw opportunity, and the game went into overtime.

“In a situation like that in regulation, it’s the way you let teams get into overtime and beat you,” Higbee said. “It’s pretty nice to win a ballgame when you’re shooting 40 percent at the line. You don’t expect that. I was shaking my head.”

Cody Hoiser had 19 points and eight assists for Pahranagat Valley. Whipple added 18 points and nine rebounds, and Taylor Poulsen had 14 points and 10 rebounds.

Trevor Carrasco scored 25 points and Jordan Fletcher 24 for the Bulldogs.

Lake Mead 62, Owyhee 33 — After scoring just 25 first-half points, the Eagles outscored the Braves 25-8 in the third quarter to pull away.

Landon Littlefield had all 11 of his points in the third quarter to lead the charge.

“We got through the first-half foul trouble woes, and that third quarter was huge for us,” Lake Mead coach Jeff Newton said.

Lake Mead had 13 turnovers in the first half, and foul trouble forced the Eagles to turn to their bench early.

“Defensively they stagnated us,” Newton said. “They did a great job defensively. They caused us to panic a little bit.”

Alex Mayorga had 13 points and six rebounds for Lake Mead. Darin Gallardo led Owyhee (26-3) with 15 points.

It will be the third meeting between Lake Mead and Pahrangat Valley this season. Lake Mead has won both meetings.

“Alamo’s been a great, great rival for years,” Newton said. “It’d always be good to get one against your rival."