The top spot in the Division III North girls standings was up for grabs last Saturday as three-time defending state champion Pershing County hosted Incline.
The Highlanders entered the day undefeated in league play and with just one loss on the season, and that was to Galena of the Division I North. The Mustangs and Highlanders met in mid-December in Incline Village, with Incline winning 63-41.
In the second meeting, Pershing County held a one-point lead after eight minutes of play, only to see Incline go on a 24-11 run in the second and third quarters to build a 12-point advantage. The Lady Mustangs were held to five and six points, respectively, in the 16-minute stretch as the Highlanders won 34-33.
"I learned what I already knew, Incline is a very good team and obviously the team to beat in the north this year," said PCHS coach Steve Cerini. "That being said, there are several others with the potential to qualify for the state tournament."
Unlike the first time when the Highlanders pulled away for the double-digit win on the strength of a hot-shooting night, the Lady Mustangs nearly pulled off a huge comeback.
Pershing County rallied in the fourth quarter and held Incline to just two points. The Lady Mustangs closed within a point at 34-33 with two minutes to play, but neither time scored in the final couple of minutes.
Melissa Gonzalez collected a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds. The senior also had a pair of assists, steals and blocks. Hannah McCurley added 10 points and five rebounds and Bailey Wanner eight points and eight rebounds. Abby Bake contributed three points.
"If we continue to get better as I anticipate we will, I like our chances against anybody," Cerini said. "Incline has proven that they are the clear choice as of now, but we have been battle tested in the post season for many years now. We will certainly need all of our experience to see us through. We have embraced the dark horse mentality and are aware we still have much to prove."
Pershing County began the weekend with a 57-25 victory over North Tahoe in which 10 players scored. The Lady Mustangs raced out to a 17-2 lead in the first quarter and extended the margin to 32-5 by halftime. Pershing County cruised in the second half, outscoring North Tahoe 25-20.
Gonzalez paced the Lady Mustangs with 14 points and 11 rebounds, while McCurley added eight points, four rebounds and two steals. Bake had eight points, six steals and five rebounds and Mikayla Renfroe and Wanner each had six points.
Riley Jaramillo scored five, Anna Vidales four, Alysa Dominguez three and Mikalya Montes and Gurpreet Kaur two each.
"The North Tahoe game was very fun for all of us," Cerini said. "We took a few JV players with us to deepen our bench as there was no JV game. All 10 players scored in the game and played extensive minutes. It was a total team victory in every sense."
With three weeks left in the regular season, Pershing County sits in third place in the Division III North at 6-2. Incline is atop the standings at 8-0 and White Pine is second at 7-2. Battle Mountain is in the fourth and final transfer spot at 5-3. The Lady Mustangs still have games with the Bobcats and Longhorns.
"Battle Mountain is hosting the regional tournament and because of that has a distinct advantage to move on in my opinion," Cerini said. "White Pine is as tough as anyone on any given night, they too will be a major player in deciding how the north unfolds. Yerington is the odd team out right now to qualify for the tournament but they are capable of finishing strong and working their way back in. That leaves us, with all due respect to all teams previously mentioned, I truly believe we control our own destiny. We respect all, and fear none."
Pershing County travels to Yerington on Thursday for 6 p.m. start with the Lions. The Lady Mustangs play their second to last home game on Saturday against Silver Stage at 2 p.m.
"At the end of the day, our regular season records have little meaning other than seeding and the color of uniform we wear," Cerini said. "One thing is for sure, we honestly don't care who we play in the first round of zone. Anyone we match up with will be more than tough. Our league is the most competitive it has been in many years. It has been a wild ride thus far and sure to be even more intense down the stretch."
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