The Virgin Valley High School Girls basketball defeat traveled to the Moapa Valley to face their archrival Moapa Valley High School Pirates and came away on the losing end of a 38-31 score. After a resounding win over Clark High School Friday night in Mesquite, the Dawgs played their worst basketball of the season. The Bulldogs with a record of 9-2 went into the game on a seven game winning streak and were favored over the Pirates. The Dawgs faced the Pirates without center Kourtney Metzger and back up Becca Bramlage. The lack of a big girl at center gave the Pirates numerous second shot opportunities.
The Bulldogs could only manage four points in the first period as shot after shot failed to drop. The Dawgs seemed to be out of sync and could not buy a basket. The score after one period found the Dawgs down 8-4. Nikki Arquette would have the first two points for the Dawgs but would not score again until the end of the game.
The Bulldogs had numerous chances to score in the second period but poor shooting kept the Pirates in control. The Dawgs had only five points to go along with their four in the first. The Dawgs trailed 16-9 after one half of play. Who would have thought prior to the game that star guard Abbie Barnard would have zero points and Arquette two after one half of play.
The Bulldogs began the third period with two turnovers and trailed 23-9. Barnard gained her first point of the game on a free throw, Amanda Stenberg hit a short jumper and Barnard hit for five more to cut the Pirates lead to 23-17.
The Bulldogs began the last period as they began the first without a basket for three minutes of play. The Pirates extended their lead to 35-24 as they controlled the boards. Barnard’s three point basket brought some hope to the Dawg at 37-29 but could not score again until Arquette’s second basket made the final score 38-31 in favor of the host Pirates. It was a tough league loss for the Bulldogs as their record fell to 9-3 and 2-1 in league play. Barnard had 14 points to lead the Bulldogs followed by Amanda Stenberg with 8 points. The Bulldogs next home game will be on January 5 against Pine View.