WINNEMUCCA - It came down to numbers for the McDermitt High School girls basketball team as it concluded the regular season at Eureka on Friday, Feb. 10.
With second place in the Eastern 1A up for grabs, the Vandals took advantage of the Lady Bulldogs' lack of a bench in a 41-38 victory.
Eureka clinched the No. 2 seed for the regional tournament, while McDermitt (15-5 overall, 7-3 Eastern 1A) will be the No. 3 seed.
"Eureka did a nice job of basically running the legs right out from underneath us," said MHS head coach Jaimi Wilkinson. "I only had seven girls available for the game and Eureka used a sub rotation that brought a new five in every two minutes. He didn't take a time out either. Considering we only lost by three I was pleased with the girls' performance."
Both teams spent much of the night at the free throw line, with each squad shooting 24 free throws. Neither team helped themselves from the charity stripe, with the Lady Bulldogs making 10 shots and the Vandals nine. One player from each team fouled out, as 41 total fouls were whistled.
McDermitt grabbed a three-point lead at the end of the first quarter at 10-7, but Eureka turned the tables and tied the game at 20 at halftime. The Lady Bulldogs held a lead in the fourth quarter and had their chances to win the game, but Eureka used a 14-7 spurt in the final eight minutes to split the season series, with each school winning on its home floor.
"The girls gave me all they had, we just didn't have the numbers needed to finish," Wilkinson said. "We had chances to win and just couldn't put the game away."
Debra McKee connected on four 3-point field goals to pace the Lady Bulldogs with 14 points. Staheli Wilkinson joined her in double figures with 10 and Sharon Sherburn added eight before fouling out. Torri Hinkey also had six points.
Former Lowry High School player Natalie Norcutt led Eureka with 17 points.
McDermitt opened play in the Northern 2A Regional Tournament in Elko on Thursday night against Smith Valley. Results were not available at press time. The winner of that game is scheduled to play the winner of Wells and Virginia City today at 4:20 p.m. at Elko High School.
McDermitt did not play Virginia City this season and was defeated twice by Wells.
The championship game is scheduled for noon on Saturday at Elko High School.
"We are looking forward to the match up with Smith Valley again on Thursday night and we are not going to worry about anyone else until we put a win in the book," Wilkinson said. "You must win to advance so our main focus is Smith Valley. We will worry about the next game if and when we win the first."
[[In-content Ad]]
