Eagles end Crusaders’ postseason reign

The Faith Lutheran boys basketball team opened its final season in Class 3A with designs on a fifth straight state title.

Boulder City sent those plans to a crashing thud Thursday night, preventing the Crusaders from even reaching the state tournament.

Joey Western scored 21 points to lead the fourth-seeded Eagles to a 62-54 upset of the No. 1 Crusaders in the semifinals of the 3A Southern League tourney at Desert Oasis.

"It was our day," Boulder City coach Bobby Reese said. "It's a big win. It's nice to beat Faith. They've had a stranglehold on the (3A) since they've been up here."

Shane Levin added 10 points for the Eagles (14-16), who will play Moapa Valley in the title game at 8:20 p.m. Saturday to determine who carries the South's No. 1 seed to state.

Chase Saunders scored 19 points and Brett Lubbe 18 for Faith Lutheran (9-18).

• Moapa Valley 67, Virgin Valley 58 -- Shaun Hilton scored 25 points, and Zach Geary hit four third-quarter 3-pointers to carry the Pirates past the rival Bulldogs.

Brad Weiss added 13 points for Moapa Valley (13-8), including buzzer-beating shots at the end of the second and third quarters. Geary had 12 points, and Casen Lewis logged eight assists.

Hilton added nine rebounds and four steals.

Terran Leavitt scored 17 points for Virgin Valley (15-10), which shot only 15-for-28 from the free-throw line.

GIRLS

• Virgin Valley 43, Faith Lutheran 35 -- The top-seeded Bulldogs outscored the No. 4 Crusaders 27-16 in the second half to pull away.

Lisa Henderson paced Virgin Valley (21-7) with 14 points.

Kelsey McCourt led Faith Lutheran (8-16) with 11 points.

Virgin Valley avoided a repeat of last season's shocking semifinal loss to Faith Lutheran. The Bulldogs will meet Boulder City in the title game at 6:40 p.m. Saturday.

• Boulder City 60, Moapa Valley 52 -- Caiti Forrester had 30 points, seven assists, six rebounds, four blocks and four steals to carry the Eagles past the Pirates.

Karlee Koopman contributed 12 points and 10 rebounds for Boulder City (10-10).

Shilo Parashonts and Brianne Olige scored 13 points each for Moapa Valley (12-13). Caley Dunlap had eight assists.

Contact reporter Tristan Aird at taird@ reviewjournal.com or 702-387-5203.