Friday night was not a normal night in the ‘Dawg Pound as fans from the Moapa Valley and Virgin Valley filled the gym to overflowing.
The quietness ended after entering the gym as the decibels increased to a small roar.
Principal Dave Wilson said "It’s Moapa. What else would you expect?”
Both schools had plenty of school personnel on site, plus a few of Mesquite’s finest officers to make sure the intense rivalry didn’t get out of hand.
The final score for Friday’s game was 43-35, with the Lady Bulldogs beating the visiting Pirates.
The game between the Lady Bulldogs from Virgin Valley High School and the Pirates from Moapa Valley High School began with both teams shooting poorly.
The Lady Bulldogs ball handling was not evident in the first period until Rachel Morris took over under the boards.
The ‘Dawgs' guards pushed the ball to her and she scored eight of the Bulldogs 10 points for the period.
VVHS led the Pirates 10-8 after one.
Both teams traded baskets as Morris controlled the boards and added four more points to her half-leading 12 points.
Both teams were at 16 after a half of play.
Bulldog Madison Bowler had the other four points for the Lady Dogs.
Most of the intensity so far was in the stands, as the rabid Pirate fans let everyone know they were there.
Morris and Bowler continued to lead the Lady Bulldogs in the third period as Morris had eight more points and Bowler added six more of her own.
The score after three periods was 31-24 in favor of Virgin Valley.
The Pirate team could not get closer than four points as the Lady 'Dawgs kept their composure, with Morris and Bowler taking turns with baskets to hold off the Pirates.
The Lady Bulldogs ended up playing their best ball of the season as they maintained their composure and got the ball to Morris under the basket.
Morris scored 22 points for the game.
Bowler added 13 more for the host Bulldogs.
