Inexperienced Desert Pines can’t keep up to Colorado team in Tarkanian Classic
By Justin Emerson Las Vegas Review-Journal
Desert Pines’ Zerrick Brass (35) is blocked by Denver East’s Daylen Kountz (2) during the first half of a basketball game at Liberty High School in Henderson, Thursday, Dec. 21, 2017. Denver East won 60-43. Joel Angel Juarez Las Vegas Review-Journal @jajuarezphoto
Desert Pines’ Dayshawn Wiley (2) is guarded by Denver East’s Kaelan Potts (1) during the first half of a basketball game at Liberty High School in Henderson, Thursday, Dec. 21, 2017. Denver East won 60-43. Joel Angel Juarez Las Vegas Review-Journal @jajuarezphoto
Desert Pines’s Darnell Washington (13) bites his jersey before a free-throw shot during the first half of a basketball game against Denver East at Liberty High School in Henderson, Thursday, Dec. 21, 2017. Denver East won 60-43. Joel Angel Juarez Las Vegas Review-Journal @jajuarezphoto
Desert Pines’ Donovan Word (23), left, and Denver East’s Kaelan Potts (1), right, battle for possession of the ball during the first half of a basketball game at Liberty High School in Henderson, Thursday, Dec. 21, 2017. Denver East won 60-43. Joel Angel Juarez Las Vegas Review-Journal @jajuarezphoto
Desert Pines’ Dayshawn Wiley (2) passes the ball to a teammate during the first half of a basketball game against Denver East at Liberty High School in Henderson, Thursday, Dec. 21, 2017. Denver East won 60-43. Joel Angel Juarez Las Vegas Review-Journal @jajuarezphoto
Denver East’ Ja’shawn Chisel (4) is guarded by Desert Pines’ Lorenzo Sheldon Brown (5) during the first half of a basketball game at Liberty High School in Henderson, Thursday, Dec. 21, 2017. Denver East won 60-43. Joel Angel Juarez Las Vegas Review-Journal @jajuarezphoto
Desert Pines’ Hasani Pullens (0) is blocked by Denver East’ Kaelan Potts (1) during the first half of a basketball game at Liberty High School in Henderson, Thursday, Dec. 21, 2017. Denver East won 60-43. Joel Angel Juarez Las Vegas Review-Journal @jajuarezphoto
Desert Pines’ Darnell Washington (13) is guarded by Denver East’ Clayton Finley-Ponds (13), right, during the second half of a basketball game at Liberty High School in Henderson, Thursday, Dec. 21, 2017. Denver East won 60-43. Joel Angel Juarez Las Vegas Review-Journal @jajuarezphoto
Denver East’s Caulin Swain (22) guards Desert Pines’ Dayshawn Wiley (2) during the second half of a basketball game at Liberty High School in Henderson, Thursday, Dec. 21, 2017. Denver East won 60-43. Joel Angel Juarez Las Vegas Review-Journal @jajuarezphoto
Denver East’s Akanbi Akigbogun (35) and Denver East’s Patrick Steed (5) guard Desert Pines’ Lorenzo Sheldon Brown (5) during the second half of a basketball game at Liberty High School in Henderson, Thursday, Dec. 21, 2017. Denver East won 60-43. Joel Angel Juarez Las Vegas Review-Journal @jajuarezphoto
Desert Pines head coach Michael Uzan watches during the second half of a basketball game against Denver East at Liberty High School in Henderson, Thursday, Dec. 21, 2017. Denver East won 60-43. Joel Angel Juarez Las Vegas Review-Journal @jajuarezphoto
Desert Pines’ Dayshawn Wiley (2) passes the ball to a teammate during the second half of a basketball game against Denver East at Liberty High School in Henderson, Thursday, Dec. 21, 2017. Denver East won 60-43. Joel Angel Juarez Las Vegas Review-Journal @jajuarezphoto
Desert Pines’ Garrett Partain (33) gains possession of a loose ball during the second half of a basketball game against Denver East at Liberty High School in Henderson, Thursday, Dec. 21, 2017. Denver East won 60-43. Joel Angel Juarez Las Vegas Review-Journal @jajuarezphoto
Desert Pines’ Garrett Partain (33) is blocked by Denver East’ Jamir Moore (24) during the second half of a basketball game at Liberty High School in Henderson, Thursday, Dec. 21, 2017. Denver East won 60-43. Joel Angel Juarez Las Vegas Review-Journal @jajuarezphoto
Last year, Desert Pines played in the Platinum bracket of the Tarkanian Classic and went on to win the Class 3A state championship.
Last year’s team also had 11 seniors, three of whom went on to play in college. On Thursday night, this year’s team started a freshman and sophomore.
Playing in the lower Select bracket, the young Jaguars were unable to keep up with Denver East (Colorado), and after grabbing a quick lead, could not hold on, eventually falling 60-43 at Liberty High School.
“We’re just inexperienced,” Desert Pines coach Mike Uzan said. “We’re doing all right though. We’re getting better.”
Desert Pines led 13-6 early but that was the best it would look.
Denver East played an aggressive defense, pressing full court from the beginning. It caught up with the Jaguars, who were frequently forced into making bad passes in the backcourt.
After falling behind, it didn’t take long for the Angels to get going. Led by Daylen Kountz and his 21 points, they used a 20-2 run in the first half to forge a 26-15 lead.
Denver East scored 10 consecutive points midway through the second half to stretch the lead to its largest margin, 52-26.
But it’s clear there’s some positive elements for Desert Pines. The freshman who started was guard Dayshawn Wiley, and he had 15 points and five rebounds, including 12 of his team’s 25 second-half points.
“He’s special,” Uzan said. “He’s got a lot of heart, and he plays hard.”
