Southern Nevada schools claimed 14 team state championships across basketball, flag football and wrestling this winter, with several programs breaking through for long-awaited titles or extending dynasties.
Coronado’s boys basketball team ended a decade-long wait by defeating Henderson rival Liberty 60-55 in the Class 5A final at Valley High School on Feb. 20. The Cougars had lost in their two previous state title appearances (2016 and 2024). Led by four-star transfer Munir Greig’s 18 points, Coronado gave coach Jeff Kaufman his first state championship as a coach; Kaufman had won a 3A title as a player for Valley in 1980.
Bishop Gorman’s girls basketball team also claimed a 5A title, rallying past Democracy Prep 79-76 in double overtime. Senior point guard Aaliah Spaight scored 23 points in her final game for the Gaels and was lifted by teammates after the win. Spaight, who is committed to Texas, will play in the McDonald’s All-American game next month. The victory marked the second state title in three years for Gorman under legendary coach Sheryl Krmpotich, who returned in 2024-25 after stepping away in 2016.
Clark’s boys and Losee’s girls both earned redemption in the 4A basketball brackets. A year after losing in the state semifinals, Clark edged Bishop Manogue 56-54, with Akron signee Devan Christion scoring 22 points. Losee overcame a 32-28 fourth-quarter deficit to beat Reno 41-36 for the school’s first girls basketball title.
Shadow Ridge reclaimed its flag football throne, blanking Bishop Gorman 12-0 on Feb. 12 at Allegiant Stadium to win the 5A title. Senior Jaylani Palmer caught both touchdown passes in her final game. The Mustangs’ run of three straight titles had ended in 2025, but coach Matt Nighswonger earned his 170th victory, becoming the winningest coach in Nevada flag football history.
SLAM! Nevada wrestling continued its dominance, winning its fifth consecutive 5A team title on Feb. 14 in Winnemucca with 247.5 points — 133.5 ahead of second-place McQueen. The Bulls had nine individual champions, and seniors Brenden Agacolli (North Dakota State signee) and Drake Hooiman (Purdue) won their fourth individual state titles at 138 and 150 pounds, becoming the 43rd and 44th wrestlers in Nevada history to achieve that feat.
