Boulder City hopes for change of luck in Moapa Valley

By Brent Hinckley

Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2009 | 11 p.m.

The first half of 3A Southern League play did not go the way Boulder City High's boys basketball team had hoped, but the Eagles believe they can turn things around starting with a trip to Moapa Valley on Friday.

"This second time around I want to beat them. I want payback," Boulder City junior guard Kyle Dimpel said. "We're playing good defense, but we need to start knocking down more shots."

Boulder City went 0-3 in the first half of league play, but coach Bobby Reese said it could have just as easily gone the other way.

"We know we can beat anybody, but we also know we can lose. Every game is going to be close. We need to keep our heads up because we still have a shot at state," Reese said.

The Eagles dropped their seventh straight game with a 61-53 home loss to Faith Lutheran on Jan. 23. Boulder City held an early 8-6 lead after the first quarter, but the Crusaders outscored the Eagles 20-12 in the third quarter for the win.

"It's a couple missed layups, a couple missed free throws, and they made some good plays," Reese said. "We need to put a full 32 minutes together."

Boulder City senior forward Jeremy Smith had a season-high 23 points, while Shane Levin had 11 and Dimpel added 10.

The Eagles also lost a non-league game at Arbor View on Jan. 21, falling 80-76. Smith had a team-high 22 points, with Dimpel adding 16 and Levin 12.

"I knew Jeremy was capable of these types of performances. I've just been trying to get it from him and he's there now," Reese said. "Guys like Kyle are also stepping up and scoring points, and when we get a full healthy squad back we'll be dangerous."

Girls aiming for top seed

There's only three games left on the schedule for the Boulder City High girls basketball team and three consecutive wins would give the Eagles the No. 1 seed for the league tournament.

"Things are falling together, but we're still struggling in certain areas. We're not running the offense as well as we could," Boulder City coach Brian Lemmel said.

Boulder City, which is 2-1 in 3A Southern League games, trails first-place Virgin Valley (3-0) by one game.

Boulder City junior guard Paxton Fleming, who is leading the team with a 51.6 field goal shooting percent, said the team is ready for the final three games and the playoffs.

"We know we can beat the other teams and we're getting our confidence up for the playoffs," Fleming said.

She had six points, one rebound and went 4-for-4 from the free throw line in the Eagles 59-46 home win against Faith Lutheran on Jan. 23. Senior forward Caiti Forrester had 29 points and eight rebounds and freshman center Karlee Koopman added nine points and 10 rebounds.

Boulder City held Faith Lutheran to two points in the first quarter.

Wrestlers impressive in league duals

Boulder City High's wrestling squad will pay tribute to its seniors on Jan. 29 against visiting Foothill in the team's final home meet of the season.

"We have a healthy rivalry with Foothill, so it'll be a good way to wrap things up," Boulder City coach Kevin Ruth said.

The team's five seniors are Spencer Sasarita (152), Jesse Cox (145), Matt Causey (215), Derrick Hall (145), and Frank Brown (152).

Boulder City is preparing for the 3A Southern League tournament, Feb. 6 and 7.

"We're trying not to look ahead, but it's tough," junior heavyweight Kyle Erickson said. "We want to win the title, but we have to focus on the next meet in front of us."

The Eagles beat Virgin Valley 57-21 and Moapa Valley 43-42 on Jan. 21 to cap an undefeated mark in league play. They also took third out of 16 teams at the Mohave (Ariz.) Invite on Jan. 24.

They competed in seven dual meets at the Mohave Invite, going 5-2 with the two losses coming against Las Vegas High and Basic. .

Nine wrestlers qualified for the medal round and junior Allan Haines (130), Sasarita (145) and junior Steven Kaposta (152) reached the finals of their weight class. Haines and Sasarita won by pinfall, while Kaposta lost 6-5.

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