Jovi Kuskie dribbles the ball up the floor during drills in a preseason practice.
Carly Capellen guards Emily Backus.
Young Lady Buckaroos looking to surprise teams this year Lowry returns just three players
With six consecutive trips to the state tournament, the Lowry High School girls basketball team has been one of the most consistent teams in the Northern 3A. Playing with a bullseye on their back for the last half of the decade, the Lady Bucks were the hunted. However, with just three players returning from last year’s state tournament team, Lowry might be the hunter to some in the league. But, don’t tell that to the Lady Bucks. The expectations are just as high as they normally are for second-year head coach Melanie Thurmond. “There are nine new girls out there,” Thurmond said. “It’s a whole new squad. The nice thing about this squad is they have been in my program for two years now. They know what to expect from me and know our defense. I kind of expect us to be underestimated this year. I hate to say but I would do it to another team that lost seven seniors. It might take us
some time to gel and learn how to play. We have our same high expectations.” Senior Sierra Maestrejuan and Carly Capellen and sophomore Emily Backus are the lone returners from last year’s 17-11 team. The Lady Bucks finished third in the Northern 3A at 14-4, losing to Moapa Valley in the state semifinals in Las Vegas. Maestrejuan earned Northern 3A allleague, second-team honors a season ago. She averaged 9.2 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2,0 steals a game. As a freshman Backus scored 5.7 points a game, grabbed 2.1 rebounds and had an assist and a steal a game. Capellen averaged a basket a game last year. Lowry will look to have to replace the scoring it lost from last year. The Lady Bucks averaged 50.4 points a game a season ago and 37 of those points are no longer on the team. “Even though we are taller, we still have the ability to shoot the ball from the outside,” Thurmond said. “Sierra is going to be our leader for sure. Great player, great returner. We will get good quality minutes from Emily and Carly. Emily gives us that threat from the 3-point line. Our height coming from our sophomores will give us an added boost.” Juniors Shanae Smith, Alexus Gomez, Bailee Brinkerhoff and Macy DeLong move up from the JV team. Lowry will feature six sophomores, including three that stand 6 feet or taller. That group includes Hannah Whitted, Jovi Kuskie, Amanda Draper, McKenzi Petersen and Emika Viscarra. Kuskie and Whitted were moved to the varsity at the end of last year, playing in a handful of games. Whitted and Petersen stand at 6-0 and Viscarra is 6-1. “We are going to change up the offense a little bit,” Thurmond said. “Having three girls at 6 feet,
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I have more post players than I normally They could be one of the teams to beat this do. We will have the ability to get the ball year.” inside.” The Northern 3A Regional Championship Lowry will travel twice to Reno during the will be played in Fallon on Feb. 20-22. The season for tournaments. The Lady Bucks are six teams qualify for the regional championin Reno this weekend for a three-day tourna- ships, with the top two receiving first-round ment at Spanish Springs. Lowry opened with byes. Galena on Thursday The NIAA 3A and play Bishop State ChampionManogue and Spanships are set for Feb. ish Springs on Fri27-28 in Reno. The 2019-20 Lowry Girls day and Saturday, championship game Basketball Roster respectively. Spanis on Friday, Feb. ish Springs won the 28, due to the UniNorthern 4A chamversity of Nevada’s Head Coach: Melanie pionship last year. final home conferThurmond The Lady Bucks ence game on Saturwill celebrate day, Feb. 29. Christmas quickly With Lowry and be on the road and two-time state Hannah Whitted, Jovi Kuskie, for two games on champion Churchill Shanae Smith, Alexus Gomez, Dec. 26 at the VarCounty losing a sity Elite Tournanumber of players Amanda Draper, Emily Backus, ment at McQueen to graduation, the High School. Lowry league could be up McKenzi Petersen, Bailee is scheduled to play for grabs this year. Brinkerhoff, Carly Capellen, Loyalton, Calif., Churchill Counand McQueen on ty also has a new Sierra Maestrejuan, Macy Dec. 26. The Lady coach. Bucks take on PiedSpring Creek finDeLong, Emika Viscarra mont, Calif., on ished second in the Dec, 27 and close league last year at out the tournament 15-3 and graduated on Dec. 28 against four seniors. TruckReno. ee, Fernley and Elko The Lady Bucks also made it to the regional tournament a open Northern 3A play at home on Dec. year ago. 10 against Fernley and Sparks on Dec. 14. “We will be a better in-and-out team than Lowry plays seven of its 10 games on the we were last year,” Thurmond said. “We road in January and February, before closing the regular season at home against South should rebound better as well. It will be a learning experience at the start. But having Tahoe (Feb. 14) and Dayton (Feb. 15). “We will challenge ourselves with our this strong sophomore class helps us build for tournament games,” added the coach. “It’s the future. We have our goals that we want good to play those games, it only makes you to accomplish this year. I think we will come better. Opening with Fernley will be tough. out and surprise some people.”
JJ Backus drives to the basket for a shot during a preseason practice.
Buckaroo boys bring back experienced group for run at state tournament Lowry returns eight from last year; features seven seniors
Lowry players battle for a rebound in practice.
2019-20 LHS Boys Basketball Roster Head Coach: Chad Peters JJ Backus, Max Mavity, Derek Espinoza, Alex Ruiz, Michael Casalez, Chance Huitt, Anthony Hemp, Preston Snow, Klay Garner, Mason Ellingford, Robert Rangel, Anthony Gildone, Kobe Stoker.
A season ago, the Lowry High School boys basketball team was seconds and some successful free throws away from advancing to the state tournament for the first time since the 2014-15 season. The Buckaroos led eventual state champion Churchill County in the final minute of the Northern 3A regional semifinal game, but the Greenwave hit a shot at the buzzer to send the game to overtime, ending the Buckaroos’ season in heartbreaking fashion. “It was a tough way to end last season, and to see them win the state championship” said LHS coach Chad Peters. “You look back and think that could or should have been us But, we have eight guys back and seven seniors. We have a good JV group coming up and they are really experienced JV kids. They know what to expect from me as a coach.” Lowry finished 13-5 and in third place in the Northern 3A a season ago. With an experienced group back, Peters doesn’t see why the Buckaroos can't be in that position this season. However, Lowry will have to do that with a smaller than normal squad. “For the first time in 26 years of coaching, I don’t have a ton of post players,” Peters said. “Usually, I have half post players and half guards. We traditionally have those post players, but this year it's Klay (Garner) and Kobe (Stoker). They are both solid, but we have some good guards and we will kinda go to a new look. We are going to press and run and get the ball up the floor quick. It’s nothing special and we are not going to reinvent the wheel. We are going with our strength.” Lowry will look to replace three players that were on the all-league team last year in Dorsey Naveran, Brendan Domire and Oscar Juanes. Stoker, a senior, was named the Northern 3A second team a season ago. The four-year varsity player averaged 11.8 points and seven rebounds a game last year. He is joined by fellow seniors Max Mavity, Derek Espinoza, Michael Casalez, Chance Huitt, Preston Snow and Garner. Junior JJ Backus is the other returner for Lowry, after playing for the Buckaroos as a sophomore last season. Backus, Mavity, Espinoza, Casalez, Huitt and Snow are listed as guards and are 3-point threats for the Buckaroos. With the up tempo pace this year, there may be a bunch of 3-point shots fired from the floor. “Kobe is a four-year starter for us and Preston is a great athlete,” added the coach. “But, I can do that with all my guys. You can go down the list and say athlete, athlete, athlete. Each one of our guys brings us something different. It’s going to be interesting this year. I am not sure what our over/under on 3-pointers in games will be, but it will probably be higher than normal. We got kids that can shoot and rebound the ball well.” Junior Alex Ruiz, Anthony Hemp and Anthony Gildone move up from the JV team. Mason Ellingford is a junior that moved from North Dakota and Robert Rangel, a junior, has moved back to Winnemucca. “There are not a lot things that we have to start from the beginning with,” Peters said. “We are a couple weeks in and we actually know what we are doing and we are ready to go. The one thing we can’t
do is get lazy. We need to work hard all the time. We got lazy last year in just a couple quarters against Elko and Fallon and it cost us. Five minutes out of 32 cost us a game.” Lowry switched up its non-conference tournament schedule and opened the season this weekend at the Elko Invitational. Lowry took on Hunter (West Valley City, Utah) on Friday. Lowry plays Hug and Reno on Saturday. The Northern 3A schedules starts shortly afterward, with Lowry hosting Fernley on Dec. 10 and Sparks on Dec. 14. After two road 3A games at Truckee (Dec. 19) and North Valleys (Dec. 20), Lowry is in Sparks for the Rail City Classic from Dec, 26-28. The Northern 3A schedule resumes on Jan. 3, as Lowry hosts rival Elko. The conference schedule turns into a grind in January and February with a stretch of seven of 10 games on the road. Lowry ends the regular season at home against South Tahoe (Feb. 14) and Dayton (Feb. 15). “I am really excited to get going,” Peters said. “We got two good tournaments that we are going to. “We will get to see some different teams up in Elko. Then it's nice to get the first two league games at home.” The Northern 3A Regional Championship will be played in Fallon on Feb. 20-22. The six teams qualify for the regional championships, with the top two receiving first-round byes. The NIAA 3A State Championships are set for Feb. 27-28 in Reno. The championship game is on Friday, Feb. 28, due to the University of Nevada’s final home conference game on Saturday, Feb. 29. Look for Elko and Churchill County to be atop the standings again this year. Dayton, South Tahoe and Fernley joined Lowry in the regional tournament last year. “You have to look at Elko and Fallon being tough again,” said the coach. “There is no reason why we can’t easily finish the top four. I don’t see why we can’t finish in the top two. That is just my expectations. They might be, but I feel that’s what we have.”
Winter Sports 2019 - A Humboldt Sun Supplement - 3
Boys Basketball Varsity
Sports
Dec. 6 vs. Hunter (@Elko HS) 6 p.m. Dec. 7 vs. Reno (@ Elko HS) 11 a.m. Dec. 7 vs. Hug (@ Elko HS) 3:30 p.m. Dec. 10 vs. Fernley* 7:30 p.m. Dec. 14 vs. Sparks* 2:30 p.m. Dec. 19 @ Truckee* 7:30 p.m. Dec. 20 @ North Valleys* 7:30 p.m. Dec. 26-28 @ Rail City Classic (Sparks) TBA Jan. 3 vs. Elko* 7:30 p.m. Jan. 4 vs. Spring Creek* 2:30 p.m. Jan. 10 @ South Tahoe* 7:30 p.m. Jan. 11 @ Dayton* 2:30 p.m. Jan. 17 vs. Churchill County* 7:30 p.m. Jan. 23 @ Fernley* 7:30 p.m. Jan. 25 @ Sparks* 4 p.m. Jan. 31 vs. North Valleys* 7:30 p.m. Feb. 1 vs. Truckee* 2:30 p.m. Feb. 7 @ Elko* 7:30 p.m. Feb. 8 @ Spring Creek* 2:30 p.m. Feb. 11 @ Churchill County* 7:30 p.m. Feb. 14 vs. South Tahoe* 7:30 p.m. Feb. 15 vs. Dayton* 2:30 p.m. Feb. 20-22 @ Northern 3A Regional Championships (TBA) Feb. 27-28 @ NIAA 3A State Championships (Reno) (TBA)
Sports
Girls Basketball Varsity Dec. 5 vs. Galena 3 p.m. (Spanish Springs HS) 6 p.m. Dec. 6 vs. Manogue (@ Spanish Springs HS) 7:30 p.m. Dec. 7 vs. @ Spanish Springs 5 p.m. Dec. 10 vs. Fernley* 6 p.m. Dec. 14 vs. Sparks* 1 p.m. Dec. 19 @ Truckee* 7:30 p.m. Dec. 20 @ North Valleys* 6 p.m. Dec. 26 vs. Loyalton, Calif. (@ McQueen HS) 1:30 p.m. Dec. 26 @ McQueen 6 p.m. Dec. 27 vs. Piedmont, Calif. (@ McQueen HS) 3 p.m. Dec. 28 vs. Reno (@ McQueen HS) 5 p.m. Jan. 3 vs. Elko* 6 p.m. Jan. 4 vs. Spring Creek* 1 p.m. Jan. 10 @ South Tahoe* 6 p.m. Jan. 11 @ Dayton* 1 p.m. Jan. 17 vs. Churchill County* 6 p.m. Jan. 23 @ Fernley* 6p.m. Jan. 25 @ Sparks* 2:30 p.m. Jan. 31 vs. North Valleys* 6 p.m. Feb. 1 vs. Truckee* 1 p.m. Feb. 7 @ Elko* 6 p.m. Feb. 8 @ Spring Creek* 1 p.m. Feb. 11 @ Churchill County* 6 p.m. Feb. 14 vs. South Tahoe* 6 p.m. Feb. 15 vs. Dayton* 1 p.m. Feb. 20-22 @ Northern 3A Regional Championships (TBA) Feb. 27-28 @ NIAA 3A State Championships (Reno) (TBA)
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Wrestling Dec. 6-7 @ Green Valley Duals (Las Vegas) Dec. 14 @ Mustang Invitational (Lovelock) Dec, 20-21 @ Cody Louk Invitational (Winnemucca) Dec. 27-28 @ Sierra Nevada Invitational (Reno) Jan. 3-4 @ Rollie Lane Invitational (Boise) Jan. 10-11 @ Douglas Tournament (Minden) Jan. 17-18 @ Kiwanis Invitational (Spring Creek) Jan. 24-25 @ Vaquero Invitational (Fernley) Jan. 31-Feb. 1 @ Northern 3A Duals (@ North Valleys HS, Reno) Feb. 7-8 @ Northern 3A Regional Championships (TBA) Feb. 14-15 @ NIAA 3A State Championships (Las Vegas)
McDermitt
McDermitt Boys Basketball
Dec. 5-7 @ Winter Invitational (Reno) Dec. 12 vs. Coleville (@ Virginia City HS) 7 p.m. Dec. 13 @ Virginia City 9 a.m. Dec. 14 vs. Sierra Lutheran (@ Virginia City HS) Dec. 20-21 @ Red Lion Christmas Tournament (Lassen, Calf.) Jan. 3 @ Wells* 7:30 p.m. Jan. 4 @ Lund 4 p.m. Jan. 7 @ Jordan Valley 6:30 p.m. Jan. 10 vs. Wells 7:30 p.m. Jan. 11 vs. Jackpot* 4 p.m. Jan. 17 @ Carlin* 7:30 p.m. Jan. 18 @ Owyhee* 2:30 p.m. Jan. 24 @ Eureka* 7:30 p.m. Jan. 31 vs. Lund TBA Feb. 1 @ Jackpot* 4 p.m. Feb. 7 vs. Carlin* 7:30 p.m. Feb. 8 vs. Owyhee* 4 p.m. Feb. 14 vs. Eureka* 7:30 p.m. Feb. 20-22 @ 1A Regional Championships (TBA) Feb. 27-28 @ NIAA 1A State Championships (Reno) (TBA)
McDermitt Girls Basketball
Dec. 12-14 @ Comstock Classic (Virginia City) Dec. 27-30 @ West Coast Jamboree (Concord, Calif.) Jan. 3 @ Wells* 6 p.m. Jan. 7 @ Jordan Valley 5 p.m. Jan. 10 vs. Wells 6 p.m. Jan. 11 vs. Jackpot* 2:30 p.m. Jan. 17 @ Carlin* 6 p.m. Jan. 18 @ Owyhee* 1 p.m. Jan. 24 @ Eureka* 6 p.m. Feb. 1 @ Jackpot* 2:30 p.m. Feb. 6 vs. Jordan Valley 4 p.m. Feb. 7 vs. Carlin* 6 p.m. Feb. 8 vs. Owyhee* 2:30 p.m. Feb. 14 vs. Eureka* 6 p.m. Feb. 20-22 @ 1A Regional Championships (TBA) Feb. 27-28 @ NIAA 1A State Championships (Reno) (TBA)
Good Luck This Season
Winter Sports 2019 - A Humboldt Sun Supplement - 5
Taylor Corak takes down teammate Cade Bell to the mat during a drill in practice.
Lowry wrestling team looking to get back atop the 3A Bucks return six state wrestlers from last year
The Lowry High School wrestling room is a little more crowded this year and long-time head coach John Brooks is okay with that. The Buckaroos have started the year with about 35 kids in the wrestling room. Lowry features six returners that took part in the 2019 NIAA 3A State Championships. Even though there are just four seniors this year, there are a number of freshmen and sophomores that round out the roster. Look for some of those underclassmen to fill spots in the lineup. “We are going to be young, but that is okay,” Brooks said. “The biggest thing is we need to keep them around for the entire four years. We always lose kids from that freshmen to sophomore year. We got two really good seniors in Taylor (Corak) and Cade (Bell). They are the only two seniors that
have been with me all four years. I look for good things from them this year.” Corak was in the 126-pound championship last year and Bell was in the 145-pound title bout. Both wrestlers were defeated by Spring Creek wrestlers. Spring Creek ran away with the state title last year, while Lowry finished fifth in the team standings on its home mats in Winnemucca. Eduardo Aguilar and Jonathan Green round out the small senior group. Three of the five juniors on the roster wrestled at the state tournament last year. Isaac Mori reached the consolation semifinals at 120 pounds, Caden Ricci was in the consolation semifinals at 138 pounds and Anthony Peterson reached the 182-pound final. Brett Ferraro and Kole Mattson will add depth to the heavier weights, with both looking to crack the lineup this year. “The junior class is going to be solid for us,” Brooks said. “If we can fill in the holes, we will be okay. We are bunched up a bit in some weight classes and thin in others, so we will have to figure that out as the season goes on. If we get any injuries, we are going to feel it. We need to stay healthy. But, you can say that with any team and any sport.” Sophomore Angel Huerta returns for the Buckaroos as well. As a freshman, he wrestled in the state tournament at 113 pounds and reached the consolation semifinals. Sal Contreras, Asher Garner, Jessie Hawkins, David Hunter,
GO BUCKS! Shoot those hoops!
Boni Jacinto, Denzel Lara, ca Event Center on Dec. 2019-20 Lowry Wrestling Roster Roberto Lopez and Hunter 20-21. The Buckaroos close Head Coach: John Brooks Smith round out the sophout the calendar year in omore class. Reno at the Sierra Nevada Eduardo Aguilar, Cade Bell, Taylor Invitational on Dec. 27-28. Nearly 20 freshCorak, Jonathan Green, Brett Lowry begins 2020 with men dot the roster for Ferraro, Kole Mattson, Issac Mori, a trip to Nampa, Idaho for the Buckaroos including Anthony Peterson, Caden Ricci, the Rollie Lane InvitationWade Mori, Coda NichSal Contreras, Asher Garner, al. The Buckaroos travel ols, Braden Hammargren, Jessie Hawkins, Angel Huerta, to Douglas on Jan 10-11, Felix Munoz and Damon David Hunter, Boni Jacinto, Spring Creek Jan 17-18 and Fetty. The remainder of Denzel Lara, Roberto Lopez, Fernley Jan 24-25. the group includes BrenHunter Smith, Brenton Baker, The Northern 3A Duals ton Baker, Chris Barajas, Chris Barajas, Shaun Cramer, take place Jan 31-Feb. 1 at Shaun Cramer, Roger Roger Facey, Damon Fetty, Dylan North Valleys High School Facey, Dylan Frost, Frost, Shaun Gilliland Dylan in Reno and the Northern Shaun Gilliland, Dylan Gilson, Braden Hammargren, 3A Regional ChampionGilson, Juan Lopez, Juan Lopez, Emilio Magana, Wade ships are set for Feb. 7-8. Emilio Magana, Simon Mori, Felix Munoz, Coda Nichols, The NIAA 3A State Nicholson, Diego Reyes Simon Nicholson, Diego Reyes, Championships will take and Jeremiah Simmons. Jeremiah Simmons place at Virgin Valley High Lowry changed up its School in Mesquite on Feb. preseason schedule and 14-15. The top four placers will open the year in Las from each weight class in Vegas at the Green Valley Duals. Green Val- the regional championships qualify for state. ley is one the top 4A schools in Nevada. The Look for Spring Creek to be atop of the Buckaroos usually open up in Fallon, but that league once again, with Lowry, Elko, Fernley tournament was scheduled for Thanksgiving and Churchill County fighting to be near the weekend. top of the standings as well. “It will be a good tournament for us,” “Spring Creek is going to be tough again,” Brooks said. “We will see some different Brooks said. “There youth program is so and tough teams. I’m sure we will see Virgin good right now and they just keep sending Valley as well. Fallon had its tournament on kids up to the high school level. We are just Thanksgiving weekend this year, so we went looking to keep on getting better. We have a a different way to start.” fun bunch of kids. They get along well and After traveling to Lovelock for the Mus- have fun when they are on the mat. But, they tang Invitational on Dec. 14, Lowry will host also when it’s time to work.” the Cody Louk Invitational at the Winnemuc-
750 S Grass Valley Rd. A
623-2625
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Anthony Peterson works on drills in practice.
McDermitt’s Braeden Ramsey comes down with a rebound.
McDermitt’s Steele Crosby works on his dribbling.
New-look McDermitt boys have sights set on playoff run Bulldogs return five from last year It might take some time for the McDermitt High School boys basketball team to find its way at the beginning of the season, but the end product is hopefully playing for a postseason spot in the middle of February. The Bulldogs return five players from a season ago, but must replace more than 90 percent of their scoring. At the beginning of the school year Jagger Hinkey and Ben Draunidalo moved away from McDermitt to Pyramid Lake and Winnemucca, respectively, leaving a void in the lineup this year. The duo combined for nearly 35 points a game. “It’s going to be a learning experience for us at the beginning of the year,” said MHS coach Jack Smith. “It may be a little bit of a rebuilding year for us. We are basically starting from scratch. We have a lot of sophomores and juniors. We have just one senior and one freshman. We might take some hits at the start, but the goal is to gel at the end.” Alex Navarro, who is just a sophomore, was an honorable mention selection on the allleague team last year. He will be looked upon to be one of the leaders for the Bulldogs. He averaged 2.2 points, 2.4 rebounds, 1.7 steals and 1.1 assists a game. “He is going to be my leader,” Smith said. “He is a defensive specialist. He is going to be that again this year for us but we will need some scoring from him too.” Sophomore teammate, Enrique Villalobos, is the leading returning scorer with 3.3 points a game. Villalobos also grabbed five rebounds a game and will be the Bulldogs’ primary post
at 7 p.m. McDermitt plays Virginia City and player at 6 feet, 2 inches tall. Juniors Steele Crosby and Colby Brown Round Mountain on Dec. 13 and they close return for McDermitt and both saw playing out the tournament against Sierra Lutheran time a season ago. Each player averaged on Dec. 14. The Bulldogs close out the calendar with a about one point a game in the 2018-19 season. Waylon Nino is the lone senior on the squad trip to Lassen, Calif., for the Red Lion Christand he saw action in a handful of games as a mas Tournament on Dec. 20-21. McDermitt junior. Sophomores Tristan Bitt and Braeden also has a home-and-home series with Lund Ramsey join the squad as does freshman this the year. McDermitt is scheduled to travel to Lund on Jan. 4 Kaden Crutcher. and Lund visits Look for McDermitt on Jan. McDermitt to con2019-20 McDermitt Boys 31. tinue to run Smith’s Basketball Roster “It’s not going run-and-jump press Head Coach: Jack Smith to be an easy preon defense to creseason for us,” ate some scoring Waylon Nino, Colby Brown, added the coach. opportunities on Steele Crosby, Alex Navarro, “We have three offense. In addiEnrique Villalobos, Tristan Bitt, tough tournaments tion, look for the with a young team. Bulldogs to play Braeden Ramsey, They are games zone defense as Kaden Crutcher where we well as its usual have to man-to-man. The build on coach noted the team they are playing will likely dictate if to get us better.” McDermitt opens Eastern 1A they go into a zone defense. “I am working with the guys to get them play at Wells on Jan. 3 and makes in the run-and-jump,” added the coach. “It’s its home debut against Wells on hard right now because we can’t scrimmage Jan. 10 at 7:30 p.m. The Bulldogs it. I have never liked to play zone defense but end the regular season with three we are going to have to do that. Right now, home games versus Carlin (Feb. 7), Owyhee (Feb. 8) and Eureka I am not sure who our point guard will be.” McDermitt will hit the floor for the first (Feb. 14). The Regional Championship is time this weekend at the Winter JV Classic in set for Feb. 20-22, where the top Reno, where it will face 4A JV schools. The Bulldogs travel to the Comstock Clas- four teams from the Eastern 1A sic in Virginia City the following weekend. advance. This February, the East McDermitt opens up with Coleville, Calif., and South will play in one regional
tournament and the Central and West will face each other in the other regional tournament. The two teams in each regional championship, qualify for the state tournament. In the Eastern 1A, McDermitt will have to battle with Eureka, Wells, Owyhee, Jackpot and Carlin for one of the four playoff spots. Smith said he expected Owyhee, Eureka, Wells and Jackpot to be tough again. The NIAA 1A State Championships will be played in Reno on Feb. 27-28. The title game is on Friday this season, due to the University of Nevada hosting its final game of the season on Saturday, Feb. 29 at Lawlor Events Center. “We are going to take it game by game,” Smith said. “We are going to be finding our way for the first month and see where are at. We need to see where we can put guys. I am hoping we can start gelling once the conference schedule begins.”
Have A Great Season
Athletes!
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Winter Sports 2019 - A Humboldt Sun Supplement - 7
McDermitt’s Kalli Sam shoots a jump shot near the basket.
McDermitt’s Katie Crutcher works on her dribbling.
Lady Bulldogs look to get back to playoffs with new coach at the helm McDermitt returns five from a season ago The sideline for the McDermitt High School girls basketball team will look a little different this season. Long-time head coach Jaimi Wilkinson retired after the state tournament last year and April Wilson has taken over as head coach. Wilson inherits a team that brings back five players from the 2019 Eastern 1A regular season champions and the Northern 1A champs. McDermitt went 18-4 a season ago, but lost in the state semifinals to eventual state champion Mineral County. “It will take some time to gel at the start of the season,” Wilson said. “We got seven players, including two freshmen with no varsity experience. The best thing I can do for these seven girls is to get them in the best shape of their lives, so we don’t lose any momentum at all. I am going to want to get the ball up the floor quick.” McDermitt will need to replace Precious Masters, the two-time Eastern 1A Player of the Year. Masters is now playing for Feather River
College in Quincy, Calif. Masters scored near- a good group of girls back with a lot of experily half of the Lady Bulldogs’ points last year. ence. Jasmine is going to be one of my top In addition, Victoria Navarro moved away and scorers. Meianah will lead us on defense and Katie will lead on the court big time. I am lookis playing for Elko High School this year. Jasmine Northrup and Meianah Bitt are the ing for Kalli and Takayla to be powerhouses two returning seniors. Northrup averaged 9.0 underneath for us. We need to play good points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.3 steals and 2.1 assists defense, stay out of foul trouble and avoid injuries and we'll be a game. Northrup is okay.” one of McDermitt’s Cayla Crutcher top 3-point threats. 2019-20 McDermitt Girls and Rylee WilkinBitt played in 11 Basketball Roster son join the team as games a season ago Head Coach: April Wilson freshmen this year for the Lady Bulland will be looked dogs, scoring 23 upon to add to points. However, Cayla Crutcher, McDermitt’s depth her strength will Rylee Wilkinson, Kalli Sam, this season. Crutchbe on defense and Katie Crutcher, er, the younger sister rebounding. Takayla Antonio, to Katie, brings an Katie Crutchextra presence to the er, Kalli Sam and Jasmine Northrup, post. Wilkinson adds Takayla Antonio Meianah Bitt shooting depth for are the three juniors. the Lady Bulldogs. Crutcher has played The coach noted for the Lady Bulldogs since her freshman year and is she has seen the girls get the ball up the floor the point guard. She is the leading quickly on offense, but look for the Lady Bullreturning scorer for McDermitt. A dogs to run a motion offense in a half-court set. “I want to create ways for us to score on season ago, she averaged 10 points a game to go with 3.9 steals, 3.6 offense,” Wilson said. “We have the ability to move to girls around on the floor. I want to rebounds and 3.3 assists. Sam brings McDermitt a strong get us in the best possible potion on the floor inside presence as a post player and to succeed.” McDermitt will hit the floor for the first she averaged 4.1 points a game. She time on Dec, 12 at the Comstock Classic in collected 3.3 rebounds a game. Antonio played in all 22 games Virginia City. The Lady Bulldogs open up last year and averaged 3.8 points and with Coleville, Calif., at 5:40 p.m. McDermitt plays twice on Dec. 13 against Round Moun4.3 rebounds a game. “We are going to miss what Pre- tain and Virginia City and they close out the cious did for the past couple of years, tournament against Sierra Lutheran on Dec. but the girls this year have to make 14. The Lady Bulldogs close out the calendar this their team,” Wilson said. “We got
8 - Winter Sports 2019 - A Humboldt Sun Supplement
with a trip to Concord, Calif., during Christmas break for the West Coast Jamboree. McDermitt will be in California from Dec. 27-29. “That will be a good trip for us,” said the coach. “We need to play those kind of games to get better. “Those are the trips that bring you closer together as a team.” McDermitt opens Eastern 1A play at Wells on Jan. 3 and makes its home debut against Wells on Jan. 10 at 6 p.m. The Lady Bulldogs end the regular season with four home games versus Jordan Valley (Feb. 6), Carlin (Feb. 7), Owyhee (Feb. 8) and Eureka (Feb. 14). The Regional Championship is set for Feb. 20-22, where the top four teams from the Eastern 1A advance. This February, the East and South will play in one regional tournament and the Central and West will face each other in the other regional tournament. The two teams in each regional championship, qualify for the state tournament. In the Eastern 1A, McDermitt will have to battle with Eureka, Wells, Owyhee, Jackpot and Carlin for one of the four playoff spots. The NIAA 1A State Championships will be played in Reno on Feb. 27-28. The title game is on Friday this season, due to the University of Nevada hosting its final game of the season on Saturday, Feb. 29 at Lawlor Events Center. “We have been working hard for a couple of weeks,” Wilson said. “I am happy with where we are at right now. I am teaching them right now that we don’t have the opportunity for anybody not to be doing something on the court. I have high expectations for the girls. They are all going to set personal goals that will benefit us as a team. Right now, they are students first and are in study hall three times a week. We are bonding as a team right now. I am hopeful. The goal is to get back to the playoffs.”