94°F
weather icon Clear

BC politicians help Republicans score on basketball court

Boulder City Mayor Rod Woodbury scored the winning basket as time expired helping the Republicans defeat the Democrats 28-27 in the biennial Elephant vs. Donkey basketball game in Carson City on May 2.

The Republicans were led in scoring by Sen. Scott Hammond of Las Vegas, who poured in 21 of his team’s 28 points.

It was a back-and-forth affair in the final quarter as a lot of the closing minutes were spent at the foul line. With 54 seconds left, Hammond was fouled and hit both free throws to cut the Democrats’ lead to 25-24.

The Democrats hit two free throws with 31 seconds remaining to extend their lead 27-24. With 22 seconds remaining, freshman Republican legislator Gregory Hafen II of Pahrump hit one of two free throws to cut the Democrats’ lead to 27-25. On the Democrats’ next trip down the floor, Republicans went for the steal before smartly fouling with 15 seconds remaining.

“Clock management was really the key down the stretch,” said Sen. Joe Hardy of Boulder City, who served as the Republican team’s coach. “We had a few fouls to give in order to put the Democrats into the one-and-one. That allowed us to aggressively pressure the Democrats and attempt to force a turnover.”

The strategy worked as the Democrats missed the front end of their one-and-one free-throw attempt, but Republicans lost the rebound. With 13 seconds remaining, Hammond stole the Democrats’ attempted inbound pass and was fouled. He made one of two free throws to cut the Democrats’ lead to 27-26.

The Democrats avoided the backcourt pressure after Hammond sunk his second free throw, but the Republicans managed to trap the Democrats in the frontcourt and forced a turnover with 8 seconds left.

Hardy called a timeout to set up a play that most believed would run through Hammond. Assemblyman Glen Leavitt of Boulder City navigated the inbound pass, hitting in stride point guard Woodbury. Woodbury proceeded to juke a Democrat defender just inside of the half-court line.

Woodbury then looked to hit Hammond, who had curled around a double screen in the left corner of the court. The Democratic defenders fought through the screen, and there was no passing lane open for Woodbury to find Hammond.

“I knew I couldn’t force the pass to Hammond through two defenders, so I cut right into the lane to see if I could find another open teammate or potentially draw a foul. Much to my surprise, no other Democrat defenders left their man to shut off the driving lane. I caught a glimpse of the clock and knew there were four seconds left.”

Woodbury sliced down the lane and rose toward the basket, releasing the game-winning finger roll with 1.5 seconds left on the clock.

“I’m glad we could continue this legislative tradition,” said Republican Assemblywoman Melissa Hardy of Henderson. “It is great to be able to have the proceeds from the game go to such a great charity like Seniors in Service, which sponsors the Foster Grandparents and Senior Companion programs.”

MOST READ
LISTEN TO THE TOP FIVE HERE
THE LATEST
Council confusion: The leash law saga continues

Three statements — notably, none of them from members of the city council — best illustrated the difficulties residents (both dog-loving and not) have had for at least four years when it comes to the issue of off-leash dogs in public parks.

Breeding in BC? Probably not

Unlike the discussion later in the meeting Tuesday night in which the city council appeared determined to make sure no one was angry at them about the issue of off-leash dogs, they directed staff to take very strong action on the issue of pet breeding.

Lifejacket donations aim to save lives

Greg Bell’s memory lives on by way of a generous donation that may saves lives.

Huge crowd turns out to honor Patton

It was brought up during Saturday’s unveiling of the Shane Patton Memorial Monument as to why Shane’s statue stands 11 feet tall.

Disaster in China affects Damboree fireworks show

As the city prepares for Damboree, one of our biggest celebrations of the year, a tragedy in China is having an impact on the annual fireworks show.

City Celebrates First Responders

Photos courtesy City of Boulder City

Toll Brothers gets split decision

The development of the area near Boulder Creek Golf Course known as Tract 350 (the sale of which is slated to pay for the majority of the planned replacement for the aging municipal pool) may have hit a snag last week as the planning commission voted 5-1 to deny the developers’ request to build houses closer to the street than is allowed under current law.