Hansen lifts Pahranagat Valley to fifth girls state basketball crown in six years

Pahranagat Valley guard Jamie Hansen didn’t see the court much in the second half of the Division IV girls state basketball final because of foul trouble.

But the 5-foot-5-inch senior did more than enough damage in the first two quarters.

Hansen scored 17 of her 19 points in the first half Saturday to lead the Panthers to their fifth championship in the past six seasons with a 57-49 victory over Smith Valley at Orleans Arena.

“It definitely set a path for us,” Hansen said. “We were on a roll, so we just kept going. We knew we couldn’t let up because we started out so strong. … This is definitely the perfect way (to go out).”

Hansen finished with six rebounds, two assists and two steals for the Panthers (17-10) before fouling out with 4:49 left.

“Jamie is an animal,” said Pahranagat Valley coach Amy Huntsman, who won her 13th state title. “She’s such a leader, she’s so positive and she never quits. She was so key to everything we did this year, keeping us focused and positive.”

Smith Valley (28-3) outrebounded Pahranagat Valley 24-13 in the first half, but the Panthers forced 13 turnovers and held the Bulldogs to 11-of-33 shooting from the field to take a 34-26 halftime lead.

Hansen had 11 of the team’s 19 points in the second quarter.

“We had to stop giving them second-chance shots,” Huntsman said. “They were just killing us on the boards. They just fought, and it was so fun to watch. Defense has been our key all year. We’re not very big, so you have to play to your strengths. And one of our strengths is our quickness and pressing.”

Trailing 54-39 with 4:41 left, the Bulldogs used a 7-0 run to get within eight points with one minute to play, but the rally came too late.

Madison Harris had 11 points and 12 rebounds for Pahranagat Valley, and freshman Karley Whipple scored 12.

Smith Valley’s Kellie Rogaczewski had 15 points and 18 rebounds.

Contact reporter Ashton Ferguson at aferguson@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0430. Follow him on Twitter: @af_ferguson.