January 31, 2008
Mountain View Girls Set to Win 1A South

Photo by Dave Maxwell Mary Higbee drives around Mountain View player.

By Dave Maxwell, Staff Writer

Kristi Ellis’ four free throws in the overtime period propelled Mountain View to a 59-55 win over Alamo January 26 in Las Vegas.

The victory likely will give Mountain View the 1A Southern League regular season title and the #1 seed into the regional playoffs February 15-16, since both the Saints and Alamo are not likely to lose their two remaining league matches, and Mountain View now holds the tie-breaker over the Panthers after winning the second game between them.

With Jadey Jones on the bench for most of the game because of a sprained left knee, Alamo did their best against a trio of Saints who scored in double figures. Ellie Marquart had 22 points, Randal Van Kempden 16 and Ellie Smith added 12. Loren Leavitt had 13 points for Alamo and Casey Gardner contributed 11 points.

PVHS had a chance to win in regulation, but a buzzer-beater 3-point try by Jessie Canning missed, sending the game into overtime at 51-all.

In the extra period, Alamo managed to score only one basket, while Mountain View hit all eight free throws. A basket by PVHS as the game ended really didn’t mean anything.

Panther Coach Amy Huntsman said Jones being out of the game really hurt PVHS and they tried to make necessary adjustments, but she had no answer as to why the team went cold in the overtime period.

Alamo had an easy game with Calvary Chapel the night before, handling the Lions 64-25.

The Lady Panthers complete the regular season with games this weekend at Trinity and Laughlin. Mountain View plays Lake Mead and Trinity.

If all things remain equal, Alamo and Mountain View would meet for the 1A Southern Regional Championship February 16 at Del Sol High School in Las Vegas.