Four flag football players with ties to Southern Nevada have been named to USA Football’s 2026 women’s flag national team initial roster.

Former high school standouts Akemi Higa (Desert Oasis), Kaylie Phillips (Liberty), Maci Joncich (Coronado) and Brooklin Hill (Desert Oasis) were named to the 24-person roster.

Higa just completed her senior season with Desert Oasis where she was a first-team All-Southern Nevada selection and led the state with 5,764 passing yards. She is committed to play college flag football at Nevada State University.

Hill and Phillips currently play for Nevada State. Joncich graduated from Coronado in 2024 and was on the 2025 national team.

After a training camp that will determine the traveling roster and alternates, the team will compete in the 2026 International Federation of American Football flag football world championships in Germany this August.

Contact Alex Wright at awright@reviewjournal.com. Follow @AlexWright1028 on X.

Nevada ran into a tough Auburn team and saw its season come to an end Wednesday night.

The Tigers beat the Wolf Pack, 75-69, in the NIT men’s basketball quarterfinals, at Neville Arena, in Auburn, Ala.

Nevada ends its season at 24-13 overall (12 -8 in the Mountain West). Auburn improved to 20-16 overall (7-11 SEC) and will play Illinois State in the NIT semifinals on April 2 (6:30 p.m.) in Indianapolis, Ind. The NIT championship is set for April 5 in Indianapolis.

In the other NIT semifinal, New Mexico will play Tulsa, also on April 2 at 4 p.m.

In Wednesday’s game, Nevada sophomore Elijah Price had a double-double with 22 points and 11 rebounds. Both were game highs. Price made 9-of-13 free throws and 6-of-7 field goals. Vaughn Weems had 15 points and Corey Camper Jr. had 13.

Auburn had four players in double figures led by Filip Jovic with 18. Tahaad Pettiford had 16 points, Elyjah Freeman had 16 and Keyshawn Hall, who started his college career at UNLV in 2022-23, had 14.

Nevada battled back after trailing by 12 at the half (38-26), thanks to better long-range shooting in the second half.

Key Stats

Nevada shot 46 percent from the field (25-of-54) and 7-of-20 from 3-point range. The Pack hit 5-of-7 from the arc in the second half after hitting 2-of-13 in the first half.

Nevada has emerged as one of the most attractive places to live in the US, drawing thousands of new residents each year who seek a high quality of life. The state’s biggest draw for most is financial. As one of just a handful of states with no personal income tax, no corporate income tax, and no inheritance tax, the state allows residents to keep more of their income. This, coupled with property taxes that rank among the lowest in the nation, makes the financial case for moving to Nevada hard to ignore. Beyond the tax advantages, Nevada offers stunning natural beauty, including portions of the Sierra Nevada mountains and the Mojave Desert. Nevada’s outdoor recreation is genuinely world-class. Add in 300 days of sunshine across most of the state, and it is easy to see why Nevada has become one of the best places to live in 2026.

Henderson

Henderson consistently ranks among the best cities in Nevada for families, safety, and income. With over 330,000 residents and proximity to downtown Las Vegas, Henderson ranks among the best cities to live and work in America. Major employers include Amazon, Haas Automation, and a growing number of tech companies. The city’s economic strength is reflected in a 22% population increase over the past year (according to a Storage Cafe study), making it one of America’s fastest-growing cities.

Communities like Green Valley, Anthem, and MacDonald Ranch offer beautifully designed neighborhoods with access to golf courses, hiking trails, and resort-style amenities. The city also has a growing cultural scene, with the downtown Water Street District experiencing a revitalization in recent years. With over 70 parks, award-winning recreational facilities, and proximity to Lake Mead National Recreation Area, there is no shortage of things to do in Henderson.

Reno

Nicknamed the “Biggest Little City in the World,” Reno has undergone one of the most impressive reinventions of any American city in recent years. Once known only as Las Vegas’s grittier little cousin, Reno has become a genuine innovation hub, attracting talent, investment, and many new residents. Reno’s transformation was brought on by the arrival of Tesla’s Gigafactory at the Tahoe Reno Industrial Center in 2016. Soon after, Panasonic and several other tech and manufacturing companies invested in the city. Today, Reno has earned a US Economic Development Administration Tech Hub designation, and more than 2,000 tech companies have relocated to the region.

Reno’s cultural scene has also grown alongside its economy, with the University of Nevada, Reno, and downtown serving as a hub for music venues, restaurants, education, and athletics. With approximately 280,000 residents, Reno offers many urban amenities on a smaller scale. Sitting on the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada mountains and about a 30-mile drive from Lake Tahoe, Reno is also a popular destination for outdoor adventure. Residents can spend weekends hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, and skiing, all within a short drive.

Summerlin

Summerlin is built around 26 master-planned villages, where cul-de-sacs and tree-canopied streets replace the gridlock of surrounding areas. With 150+ miles of trails within walking distance of most homes and shopping concentrated in open-air centers like Downtown Summerlin, the community has everything you need at your fingertips. The community boasts over 250 parks and ten golf courses, making it one of the most recreation-rich suburban environments in the region. With average home values over $700,000, according to Zillow, Summerlin sits at the premium end of the state’s real-estate market.

While pricey, Summerline delivers exceptional value to comparable communities due to its proximity to the Las Vegas job market and a wide array of highly rated public and private schools. The community is also close to Red Rock Canyon, one of Nevada’s most beloved natural landmarks, providing Summerlin residents with daily access to extraordinary natural beauty.

Sparks

Sparks has benefited directly from Reno’s economic boom in multiple ways. Just a few miles east of Reno, Sparks has quietly carved out its own niche in the region, becoming a hub for families who want a slower, suburban pace of life while still having access to everything the big city has to offer. Sparks offers a more accessible entry point into the Nevada housing market than Reno, with average home values around $500,00.

The town hosts festivals, concerts, and community events throughout the year, including the famous Best in the West Nugget Rib Cook-Off, which draws hundreds of thousands of visitors annually. Sparks is also home to the Sparks Marina Park, and has easy access to Lake Tahoe for weekend adventure.

Carson City

Carson City is steeped in Nevada history and is an excellent value proposition for young families and remote workers who don’t need the hustle and bustle of a big metropolitan city. As the capital city, Carson City feels neither big nor small. It offers the best features of a small town of 50,000 while maintaining access to some of the state’s larger, more popular destinations. The Nevada State Museum, the Nevada State Capitol, the Kit Carson Trail, and the old downtown district give the city a cultural richness that larger, faster-growing Nevada cities sometimes lack.

Residents are also within 20 minutes of the beaches and ski runs of Lake Tahoe and within easy reach of the Sierra Nevada wilderness. The Eagle Valley Golf Course and the miles of public land make outdoor living a reality rather than a luxury. While housing prices reflect the city’s growing popularity, with average home values at just under $500,000, they remain significantly more affordable than in Nevada’s larger cities.

Boulder City

Boulder City was built in the 1930s to house workers constructing the Hoover Dam and is one of the most unique small cities in the state. With approximately 15,500 residents, Boulder City has retained its historic character, intentionally limited its growth, and has chosen to remain one of only two places in Nevada where gambling is prohibited.

Meanwhile, the Nevada State Railroad Museum, the Boulder City/Hoover Dam Museum, and Hoover Dam offer residents a wealth of unique cultural history to explore. Lake Mead National Recreation Area, one of the nation’s largest reservoirs, sits on the city’s doorstep and is perfect for a weekend on the water. The Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area and proximity to Red Rock Canyon add hiking and rock climbing to the mix.

Las Vegas

To dismiss Las Vegas as a tourist destination is to miss the reality of one of America’s most dynamic cities. Las Vegas is a city with strong career opportunities, major sports franchises, world-class dining, and a growing community identity that extends far beyond gambling and nightlife. The key to loving Las Vegas is knowing where to live. Communities like Centennial Hills offer top-tier amenities, excellent schools, and suburban tranquillity that feel worlds away from the Strip. But for those seeking urban energy, the downtown Arts District and areas around the University of Nevada, Las Vegas offer a more bohemian, walkable experience.

Las Vegas has the largest and most diverse job market in Nevada, anchored by hospitality, tourism, and a growing tech sector. According to the 2026 Area Development report, Las Vegas ranked first nationally in the Mega Locations category. Major employers span every sector, and the city’s role as a world-leading convention destination creates sustained demand for a wide range of business services. Average home values of around $420,000 also place Las Vegas below the state average of $440,000.

Mesquite

About 80 miles northeast of Las Vegas near the Arizona border, Mesquite has quietly become one of Nevada’s premier destinations. Its setting in the Virgin River Valley, surrounded by the Mojave Desert, is simply stunning. The Virgin River Gorge, local hiking trails, and access to Lake Mead contribute to an outdoor lifestyle that appeals to people of all ages.

With year-round warm weather, championship golf courses, and a relaxed community atmosphere, Mesquite offers a lifestyle hard to beat. Mesquite has a strong appeal to retirees, with a median resident age of about 60. Retirees on fixed incomes, in particular, appreciate the affordable housing, with average home values below $400,000.

Incline Village

Incline Village is a small community on the north shore of Lake Tahoe and is the only Nevada town with direct lake access. With just over 9,000 residents, Incline Village is intimate yet highly livable. The Diamond Peak Ski Resort is in your backyard, and the surrounding forests offer hundreds of miles of hiking and mountain biking trails. Two private beaches, Incline Beach and Burnt Cedar Beach, are reserved exclusively for Incline Village residents.

Property values are among the highest in Nevada (at over $1M), reflecting the town’s limited housing supply. The community is best suited to affluent buyers, retirees with substantial savings, and outdoor enthusiasts who want to live right next to Lake Tahoe. For those who can afford it, the lifestyle is extraordinary.

Your New Life in Nevada Awaits

Nevada in 2026 is a state that is economically diversified, financially advantageous, and home to a remarkable range of communities that consistently compete with the best in the country. Whether you are drawn by the career opportunities of a booming tech sector or the serenity of a small town with mountain views, Nevada has somewhere that fits.

Keep in mind that the best place to live in Nevada depends entirely on you. Your career stage, your family situation, your budget, and your vision for the life you want. Take the time to explore your options, visit the communities that speak to you, and find the version of Nevada that makes you want to stay, not just for a weekend, but for good.