Pahrump Valley Triumphs Over Chaparral Behind Gavenda's Double-Double

Pahrump Valley High School used aggressive defense and quick transition scoring to establish control early in its exhibition matchup with Chaparral, rolling to a 75-65 victory. Lucas Gavenda paced the Trojans with 27 points and 10 rebounds, a double-double that anchored a balanced attack in front of local supporters at the GV Christian tournament on New Year’s Day.

The Trojans opened with a 10-0 run, turning defensive stops into easy transition baskets and forcing Chaparral into hurried possessions. Pahrump Valley’s pressure produced turnovers and created scoring opportunities that built a 43-27 halftime lead. Although Chaparral staged a late rally, the visitors could not erase the deficit and the Trojans held on for the victory.

Supporting performances helped sustain Pahrump Valley’s edge. Guard Keir Sheppard contributed 14 points and five assists, pushing the ball and keeping the Trojans in transition. The team showed strengths across the stat sheet, with strong rebounding, timely steals and balanced scoring preventing Chaparral from focusing defense on a single player.

Head coach Toby Henry described the game as evidence of the team’s progress and cohesion as the season approaches. The exhibition provided valuable minutes for rotation players and a live-game setting to sharpen defensive schemes and late-game execution without the pressure of conference standings.

For residents of Nye County, the result matters beyond the scoreboard. Local high school athletics provide structured physical activity and social connection for young people, contribute to mental health and resilience, and serve as a gathering point for the community in rural areas where resources for youth programming can be scarce. A strong showing at a regional tournament also raises the profile of Pahrump Valley’s program, which can influence turnout at future games and community support for facilities and youth sports funding.

As the Trojans move into the remainder of the season, the lessons from the exhibition are clear: disciplined full-court pressure, quick transition offense and balanced contributions across the roster will be keys to sustained success. For families, coaches and county officials, the team’s performance underscores the ongoing need to invest in school athletics as a public-health and community-strengthening priority in Nye County.