Day delayed, Jaguars net berth in I-A title contest

Desert Pines ran into a detour Thursday when, rather than playing a Division I-A Southern Region semifinal game against Cheyenne, the Jaguars were told they would instead play in the semifinals Friday against Boulder City.

But it didn’t derail the No. 2 Jaguars’ plans to make state and play for a region title.

And after stumbling a little early on, Desert Pines found some traction in the second quarter and rolled to a 66-47 victory over Boulder City at Del Sol.

The Jaguars (25-3) clinched a berth in next week’s Division I-A state tournament. They also will take on No. 3-ranked Clark for the Southern Region championship at 7:45 p.m. today at Sunrise Mountain.

The road to the title game became complicated for the Jaguars after Cheyenne was forced to forfeit Tuesday’s quarterfinal victory over Boulder City for using ineligible players. The Desert Shields self-reported the incident and the NIAA removed them from the tournament.

Coby Myles, who led Desert Pines with 13 points, said riding the bus to Sunrise Mountain on Thursday only to be told there was no game was miserable.

“I didn’t like it at all,” Myles said. “Last night we were up, and were ready for the second round of the playoffs. Then they canceled the game and (at the time) no one knew why.”

Fast forward to Friday and the Jaguars got off to a slow start as Kaleb Bailey hit a driving basket to give the Eagles an 8-7 lead with 2:45 left in the first quarter.

“What happened last night definitely contributed to this game,” Myles said.

But fast-break baskets by Jesse Martin and Myles jump-started the Jaguars, and they scored the last eight points of the quarter to take a 15-8 lead.

Desert Pines seized control in the second quarter by getting its transition game in gear. A jumper and driving layup by Tim Hough sparked the key 13-0 run that put the Jaguars in command at 38-17.

“We definitely got in our groove the second quarter,” Myles said. “Everyone got involved. The subs came in and did their part. The second group was a big part of this game for us.”

DIVISION III BOYS

■ Agassi Prep 50, Lake Mead 35 — At Sunrise Mountain, Steven Jones scored 18 points as the Stars downed the Eagles in the Division III Southern League semifinals.

Agassi Prep (13-13) plays Lincoln County (21-6) in the title game at 4:15 p.m. today at Sunrise Mountain.

“They’ve come together when it’s meant the most and figured it out,” Agassi coach Wendell West said. “Steven Jones is one of the reasons why. He’s been talking to the guys in the locker room, showing up early for practice and he’s playing some of the best ball on our team.”

Wesley Brule led Lake Mead (20-7) with 13 points.

■ Lincoln County 73, The Meadows 71 — At Sunrise Mountain, Ryan Rippetoe had 29 points, capped by a 65-footer at the overtime buzzer, to give the Lynx the win over the Mustangs.

Adam Abdelaziz had 20 points to pace The Meadows (16-13).

DIVISION III GIRLS

■ Calvary Chapel 60, Agassi Prep 45 — At Sunrise Mountain, Chloe Hammond scored 19 points as the top-seeded Lions downed the Stars to advance to the Division III Southern League title game.

Calvary Chapel (23-3) plays Lincoln County (16-11) in the title game at 2:30 p.m. today at Sunrise Mountain.

Lianne Reyes added 15 points for Calvary Chapel, which took control by outscoring Agassi Prep 21-2 in the second quarter to take a 35-13 halftime lead.

“They wanted it so bad in the locker room after losing it two years in a row,” Calvary Chapel coach Kelli Miller said. “They were determined not to lose today.”

Javoulaee Green led Agassi Prep (10-11) with 14 points.

■ Lincoln County 33, Needles 20 — At Sunrise Mountain, Kori Gloeckner had 15 points to lead the Lynx into the title game.

Kayla Hills led Needles (18-8) with eight points.

DIVISION IV BOYS

■ Spring Mountain 44, Round Mountain 36 — At Chaparral, the Knights went without a field goal for two long stretches as the Eagles advanced to the Division III Southern League title game.

Round Mountain made only 10 of 52 shots, and went more than nine minutes in the second half without a field goal. That followed a stretch of 7:37 without a field goal in the first half.

Spring Mountain (16-7) will face Pahranagat Valley (12-11) for the title at 12:45 p.m. today at Sunrise Mountain.

“We were very sluggish, it’s as simple as that,” Spring Mountain coach Ed Cheltenham said. “Our mind wasn’t in the game. I think we were looking ahead to Pahranagat Valley, instead of the opponent at hand.”

Roemello Tatum led the Eagles with 19 points, and Develle Williams scored 10.

Mitchell Doheny led the Knights with 14 points and nine rebounds.

■ Pahranagat Valley 49, Beatty 29 — At Chaparral, Austin Poulsen and Tyler Higbee combined for 29 points as the Panthers cruised by the Hornets.

Carlos Gomez and Chris Dunlap each scored 10 points for Beatty (6-8).

DIVISION IV GIRLS

■ Pahranagat Valley 39, Beatty 31 — At Chaparral, Bailee Hosier scored 20 points, including 12 in the second half, as the Panthers outlasted the Hornets in the Southern League semifinals.

The Panthers (11-14) face Tonopah (10-5) in the league final at 11 a.m. today at Sunrise Mountain.

■ Tonopah 42, Indian Springs 32 — At Chaparral, Deanna VanPoucke and Alli Friel each scored 10 points as the Muckers downed the Thunderbirds (8-12).

Heather Thormahlen led Indian Springs with 12 points.