BC basketball squad hoping to ride winning wave to Arizona tournament

By Brent Hinckley

Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2008 | 8:34 p.m.

The Boulder City High boys basketball team travels to Arizona each year during winter break to participate in a tournament.

It's a trip the players and coaches look forward to. This year, the Eagles are playing in the Bradshaw Mountain tournament in Prescott Valley, Ariz., Dec. 29 to 31.

"It's a great tournament, where we play quality teams and see where we're at," Boulder City coach Bobby Reese said.

Boulder City travels to Arizona a little more than a week after its last game, an 80-66 win at The Meadows on Dec. 19.

Although the Eagles picked up the win, Reese said he wasn't pleased with the defensive effort, which had been the team's key in its previous wins.

"We have to have greater intensity," the coach said. "We didn't have that in the first half and it showed."

The Meadows led by double digits early in the first half, but Boulder City closed the half with a 9-0 run to cut its deficit to 35-30 by halftime.

Boulder City kept the momentum going in the third quarter and used an 11-0 run to take a 54-47 lead. It never trailed again.

Boulder City senior forward Shane Levin had 22 points, five rebounds and two steals. Senior guard Joey Western had 16 points and 10 rebounds, while Alex Dillon added 12 of his 13 points in the second half.

The win snapped a two-game losing streak, in which the Eagles lost by a combined seven points including a 59-58 setback to visiting Needles, Calif., on Dec. 16.

"It's always nice to win, especially on the road," Reese said. "We had lost a couple close games, so I liked they way they responded and got the win."

Western, Dillon and Jeremy Smith scored 14 each for Boulder City.

Coach says girls will be ready for league play

Boulder City High's girls basketball team has played a level of competition that will have it ready for the start of 3A Southern League play on Jan. 9, coach Brian Lemmel said.

"We've played some really good teams that have tested us early on in the season," Lemmel said. "We still have areas to improve and we will work on that throughout the year."

The Eagles returns to action at Basic on Jan. 5 for the first of two final non-conference games. They also play at Needles on Jan. 6.

Those games come on the heels of the Lady Wolves Holiday Tournament at Basic Dec. 20 to 23.

They opened the tournament with a 58-51 win against Steveston, Canada, on Dec. 20.

Junior guard Jessie Forrester scored 14 points for the Eagles, which led 36-17 at halftime. Steveston rallied in the second half, but Boulder City held on for the win. Senior forward Caiti Forrester added 11 points.

The Eagles played four games in the tournament, the last three coming after The Boulder City News went to press.

When Boulder City faces Needles, it will be trying to avenge a 56-32 loss to Needles on Dec. 16. Junior Jessi Forrester and Rachel Moody had nine points each to lead the Eagles.

Wrestlers have strong showing at Holiday Classic

Boulder City High wrestling coach Kevin Ruth knows it's still early in the season, but after the team's 15th place at the Las Vegas Holiday Classic at the Las Vegas Convention Center Dec. 19 and 20, he's excited about his team's potential. The tournament featured 69 teams, including several out-of-state squads.

"This is a great group of wrestlers," Ruth said.

Junior Allan Haines placed third in the 132-pound division for the highest Boulder City finish. He defeated Jared Watts of La Quinta, Calif., on a 2-1 decision.

Senior Spencer Sasarita (147) reached the semifinals but closed the tournament with three straight defeats to finish sixth.

Junior Steven Kaposta (162) and Jake Thormodsgaard each had a fourth-place finish.

The Eagles return to action on Dec. 30 for the Wolves duals at Basic.

Brent Hinckley is the Boulder City News sports writer and can be reached at 990-7822 or [email protected].