VEGAS INVITATIONAL: Moapa Valley shows fight in loss to California team

It took a 15-point halftime deficit and an inspired locker room speech by the football coach to get Moapa Valley’s boys basketball team to flash its potential on Monday.

Unfortunately, the hole the Pirates had dug themselves was too big.

Moapa Valley went on a 17-1 run to open the third quarter but eventually ran out of gas in the fourth in its 52-44 loss to Buckley (California) in the Vegas Invitational at Mountain View.

“Coach (Brent) Lewis kind of gave them one of the Moapa Valley football halftime talks,” Pirates head coach Dallas Larsen said. “He did most of the talking there and I just talked about Xs and Os at the end. That’s why I have him on staff because he brings that Moapa Valley football energy. He must’ve hit the right points because they came out ready. …

“We just can’t get into holes like that.”

Nathaniel Thompson had 18 points and eight rebounds to lead Moapa Valley (4-9), which trailed 30-15 at halftime. The Pirates shot just 24 percent from the field in the opening half and gave up several second-chance opportunities to allow the Griffins to take control.

Thompson did his part to trim the deficit. The junior scored 10 of his 18 points in the third quarter, and Thompson’s layup off an assist from Valdemar Braunstein gave Moapa Valley its first lead since the game’s opening minutes at 32-31.

The Pirates trailed 42-38 heading into the fourth.

“Third quarter, we came out and made use of all the chances they gave us and made that little run,” Larsen said. “Our press worked against them and forced some turnovers for easy buckets. Down the end, I thought we lost a little bit of energy.”

With the score tied 42-42 with 7:04 to go in the fourth, Buckley’s Shawn Wayans hit a pair of free throws that would eventually spark a 10-2 run to end the game.

“We had to use up all that energy (in the third quarter) and didn’t have it in the fourth,” Larsen said. “It’s kind of been our season. We’re right there — against Rancho, (Pahranagat Valley), Sunrise Mountain. All these teams, we’re just right there and we can’t quite seal the deal.”

Chase Kruse added 10 points and nine rebounds for Moapa Valley, and teammate Cameron Larsen scored nine.

Wayans led a balanced Buckley attack with 14 points.

Kanoa Johnson and Sebastian Moftakfar each added nine points for the Griffins.

The Meadows 68, Spring Mountain 42 — Jake Epstein led four double-figure scorers with 17 points, and the Mustangs stormed to a 41-19 halftime lead before downing the Golden Eagles.

Ryan Chen added 12 points, and Asheesh Chopra and Joe Epstein each had 10 points for The Meadows, which also got nine points from Allen Fridman.

Anthony Garrett led Spring Mountain with 16 points, and teammate Elijah Hall scored 12.

Mountain View 61, River Valley (Ariz.) 58 — Tyrell Brooks led all scorers with 26 points to help the Saints defeat the Dustdevils.

Brooks also had 11 rebounds and four steals.

Terrence Brooks added 25 points, 13 rebounds, seven assists and six steals for Mountain View.

Nick Sauceda led River Valley with 16 points. Justin Chinn had 13 points, Tyler Garringer notched 11 points, and Chris Flores scored 10 for the Dustdevils.

Chadwick School (Calif.) 59, Pahrump Valley 47 — Antonio Fortin scored 15 points in the Trojans’ loss to the Dolphins.

Parker Hart had 11 points, and Corey Bergan scored 10 for Pahrump Valley, which trailed 41-35 after three quarters.

John Berenato had 16 points, and Michael Zeigler scored 11 for Chadwick School.

Sandy (Ore.) 47, Adelson School 41 — Jake Buchman scored 10 points in the Lions’ loss to the Pioneers.

Jacob Elharrar and Miles Hagan each had eight points for Adelson School, which trailed 36-35 after three quarters.

Jadon Floyd had 12 points, and Gabe Poulin scored 11 for Sandy.