Valley Boys Basketball

The Allen twins get the credit, but Centennial's berth in state tournament not a two-person show: Monday, February 18, 2013; high school basketball: The Bulldogs overcome double-digit deficit to beat Valley for last spot in Thursday's state tournament; By Ray Brewer; With the Centennial High basketball team trailing Valley Monday by 10 points midway through the second quarter of the state play-in game, several in the gym assumed a player with the last name Allen would be the one to step up. And, twins Marcus and Malcolm Allen eventually took over the game. But, at this junction of the game, the Bulldogs had help from an unlikely source.

Canyon Springs, standout guard develop ahead of schedule to win Sunrise title: Friday, February 15, 2013; high school basketball: Former UNLV star Freddie Banks' team is looking for its second state championship in three seasons; By Ray Brewer; Jordan Davis always believed he would be leading his basketball team onto the floor at the high school state tournament. But not even Davis, a sophomore guard at Canyon Springs High, could imagine it happening at this stage of his career. Davis, after all, wasn’t promoted to the varsity team until two weeks ago.

Second-half scoring outburst leads Valley past Basic and into Sunrise semifinals: Tuesday, February 12, 2013; high school basketball:; By Ray Brewer; When the Valley High basketball team fell behind by three points Tuesday at halftime against Basic in the first round of the Sunrise Regional tournament, the Vikings’ players could have easily been discouraged. After all, they went from being undefeated in the Northeast League two weeks ago to closing the regular season on a two-game losing streak — a skid not expected from a team expected to contend for the region crown.

Down 12 points entering fourth quarter, Valley rallies to double-digit win at Las Vegas: Saturday, January 12, 2013; high school basketball:; By Ray Brewer; This final score is sure deceiving. The Valley Vikings basketball team beat host Las Vegas High 79-68 Friday, but it was anything but a comfortable double-digit victory in a battle of two undefeated Northeast League teams. Las Vegas led by 12 points entering the fourth quarter and appeared well on its way to earning sole possession of first place. But Valley picked up the pace in the final eight minutes, using a full-court pressure to create several turnovers and easy baskets, and scoring 36 fourth-quarter points to grab the crucial win.

Valley High's Daniel Young picks Cal-State Fullerton basketball: Saturday, September 22, 2012; prep recruiting:; By Ray Brewer; Daniel Young knew he could be a better basketball player. Despite having minor success last year as a junior, the 6-foot-8 Valley High power forward wasn’t satisfied with himself. He averaged 8 points, 8 rebounds and 3 assists per game last year in helping the Vikings win the Northeast League title. The hard work has resulted in a college scholarship to Cal State-Fullerton.

Devan Kohn's 34 points helps Green Valley upset Valley in Sunrise semifinals: Friday, February 17, 2012; high school baskeball:; By Ray Brewer; The Green Valley High basketball team won this game because of its post players. Forward Devan Kohn scored 34 points and grabbed 17 rebounds Thursday, and center Brandon Hoisington had 16 points on 8-of-9 shooting in leading the Gators to a 72-54 victory against Valley in the Sunrise Regional semifinals at Foothill.

Valley turns to freshman Burton for fourth-quarter spark, rallies past Coronado into regional semifinals: Wednesday, February 15, 2012; High School Basketball:; By Ray Brewer; It was tough to tell Cameron Burton was a freshman playing in his first playoff game. Burton calmly drained a trio of 3-pointers in the fourth quarter Wednesday, helping the host Valley High basketball team overcome a seven-point fourth quarter deficit in a 72-66 victory against Coronado in the Sunrise Regional quarterfinals.

Valley uses 15-0 run in the fourth quarter to dispose of Las Vegas: Saturday, February 4, 2012; high school basketball:; By Ray Brewer; Chris Swanson was fouled hard on an aggressive drive the rim in the third quarter Friday night, being knocked to the floor and landing with a loud thud several in the gymnasium could hear. The Valley High point guard was in clear pain underneath the basket, needing a minute to regain his strength before finishing the Vikings’ home against rival Las Vegas High. The 5-foot-9, 135-pound Swanson could have easily avoided contact the rest of the night.

It's time for UNLV basketball to retire Freddie Banks' No. 13 jersey: Wednesday, February 23, 2011; ray brewer: Paying tribute to the local legend would help in keeping prospects at home; By Ray Brewer; Freddie Banks doesn’t hesitate responding when asked who is the best high school basketball player to come out of Las Vegas. Banks smoothly answers the question with the same confidence he displayed in taking a crucial shot with the game on the line. “Freddie Banks, that is who is the best,” said Banks, who enjoyed a storied career at Valley High in the early 1980s before becoming one of UNLV’s all-time greats. He earned the right to talk about himself in the third person one unforgettable night in the March of 1987, when he seemingly couldn’t miss in knocking down ...

Down 18 points in second half, Foothill rallies past Valley: Tuesday, February 15, 2011; hs basketball:; By Ray Brewer; The Foothill High basketball team erased an 18-point third quarter deficit Tuesday in rallying for a 68-66 victory against visiting Valley in the Sunrise Regional quarterfinals.

Canyon Springs spanks Valley in Northeast Division showdown: Wednesday, January 12, 2011; Michael Thompson and Jared Brandon score 55 points of the Pioneers' 93 points; By Case Keefer; Michael Thompson couldn’t lose track of where Canyon Springs teammate Jared Brandon was on the floor even if he wanted to. At this point, it’s become second nature. Thompson and Brandon have developed a feel for how each other that few can match after playing hundreds of games together over the course of many years. Valley knows about it all too well after Tuesday night. Thompson and Brandon, both seniors, led Canyon Springs to a 93-73 beat down against the team that’s supposed to cause it the most problems in the Northeast division.

Valley grad Hank Thorns embarrassed by performance in loss to UNLV: Sunday, January 9, 2011; MWC ATHLETICS: TCU junior tallies nine points, five rebounds, but Horned Frogs blown out by Rebels; By Ray Brewer; This wasn’t the homecoming Hank Thorns envisioned. Thorns, a former Valley High basketball standout, returned to Southern Nevada Saturday with TCU but was limited to nine points and five assists against host UNLV in an 83-49 blowout defeat.

Valley continues hot start to the season in win over Arbor View: Tuesday, December 21, 2010; Christian Kessee and Caleb Carter combine for 49 points for the Vikings; By Case Keefer; Like a spark slowly trickling down a long fuse, it was only a matter of time before Valley ignited in Tuesday night’s game against Arbor View. The Vikings slogged through a rough first half and trailed the Aggies at halftime, but burst the game open in the second half to take a 74-65 victory.

Valley beats Coronado, improves to 2-0: Wednesday, December 8, 2010; Vikings shake off injury to star player, start season hot; By Case Keefer; Senior guard Christian Kessee scored 30 points Tuesday night as Valley won an 85-78 battle against Coronado. Although Kessee contributed the bulk of the scoring, Valley coach Brian Farnsworth said the Vikings had a complete team victory. A number of Vikings scored nine points and J.J. Coleman and Royce Finley both had efficient all-around efforts.