Thursday, March 13, 2025 | 2 a.m.
Sponsored by The A’s and Las Vegas Aviators
In the most important game of the season for the Mater East Academy basketball team, Lonnie Bass rose to the occasion.
That, after all, is what great players do, Knights coach Antoine Wright said.
Bass, a senior forward, had 22 points and 22 rebounds in a 76-74 overtime win last month against rival Democracy Prep in the 3A Southern Regional title game. The following week, Bass led Mater East to a state championship in its fourth season of existence.
“Lonnie wakes up and gets out of bed with 20 points,” Wright said. “He’ll find a way to get 20 points every game.”
Democracy Prep beat Mater East in the 2024 state title game. That three-point loss gave Bass and his teammates plenty of motivation in the offseason.
“It’s a good feeling knowing all of the hard nights we had helped us to be able to win,” Bass said.
The 6-foot-7 Bass is widely considered the top player in the Class 3A — and one of the best in Nevada, regardless of classification. That label brought a heavy dose of attention from opposing teams.
He cherished the challenge in averaging 18 points and 14 rebounds per game.
“I’m locked in when it comes to game day. That’s my sole focus,” Bass said.
Bass flourished after transferring two years ago to Mater East, a charter school in east Las Vegas on Pecos and Bonanza roads, under the watchful eye of Wright, a former college great at Texas A&M and NBA player.
Bass also credits the support of Principal Renee Fairless for helping him succeed in the classroom. He has a 3.0 grade point average.
“Everyone here has helped me feel welcome and gotten the best out of my ability,” Bass said.
The kind of support Bass speaks about is common for students of the charter school, Wright said.
Ahead of the Knights’ state semifinal appearance, players were more concerned about another game: The Mater East girls team was playing in the girls’ semifinal.
The boys sat behind the girls bench in support. The girls wound up winning the first state championship in Mater East school history.
The boys followed a few hours later with a double-digit win against Fallon.
Bass’ playing days are just getting started. He has recruiting interest from a handful of Division I schools.
Wherever Bass ends up, the sky’s the limit, Wright said.
“Lonnie is a gym rat. He just loves basketball,” the coach said.