Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Prep Basketball:

Silverado girls ready to defend title

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Heather Cory

Coach Kelli Matthews gives directions to Mikayla Thielges.

Silverado girls' basketball team prepares for new season

Coach Kelli Matthews gives directions to junior point guard Shea Collins during Silverado girls' basketball practice. Launch slideshow »

With the team's scoring leader and Southern Nevada's leading rebounder returning, the Silverado girls basketball team is looking to make a run at a third straight Sunrise Regional championship.

First-year coach Kelli Matthews, formerly an assistant to longtime coach Diane Hernandez, can take comfort that two of the Skyhawks' top players are back.

Junior point guard Shea Collins led the 'Hawks with 15 points and 4.2 steals per game while senior guard Mikayla Thielges led Southern Nevada with 13.8 rebounds per game.

"I really feel like we have a good chance of defending our title but it will be a challenge," Matthews said. "We have some great returners. If they all work as a team we should do well."

The 'Hawks got off on the right foot on Nov. 29 with a 66-57 win against Durango to open the season.

Matthews said early practices have been dedicated to fortifying the defense while adjusting to a new, speed-based offense.

"Turnovers were a bit of a problem for us last year so we're really looking to get more control on the floor and reinforce our defense," she said. "We're still getting a feel for the new offense but it's coming along. We want to be a running team and use our speed to our advantage."

Collins said the shift in offensive style has been the only noticeable change. After spending eight seasons as an assistant in the program, Matthews has a familiarity with the team that Collins said made the transition easy.

"We all like coach Matthews and she has a real similar coaching style," Collins said. "We definitely have a different, faster offense. We have some height, some speed and some shooters."

Senior guard Nikki Johnson, in her second year on varsity, said the experience of reaching the state tournament last year has helped the 'Hawks see what it takes to win.

With some hard work she said the 'Hawks could be a force to reckon with.

"We've gotten a lot faster — even our tall girls are pretty fast," Johnson said. "Our defense is real strong but we're working on perfecting it and working in some of the new girls. I think we're as good or even better than last year."

Thielges agreed that with two regional titles under their belt, it's difficult for the 'Hawks not to set a lofty goal this season.

"It's really important to me to go as far as we can because it's my senior year," Thielges said. "There are some real good teams in town. We just have to work hard and try to do our best."

Jared Harmon can be reached at 990-8922 or [email protected].

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