BATTLE MOUNTAIN - The Battle Mountain High School junior varsity boys basketball team lost two heartbreaking games at home this past weekend, which could have gone either way.
The Longhorns (3-6) led Yerington with two minutes left to play on Friday but the Lions came back to win 50-46. Battle Mountain was back on the floor Saturday afternoon and was defeated 43-42 by Rite of Passage.
The Longhorns picked up baskets from Worth Nelson and David DeAndreis to take an early 4-2 lead. Yerington bounced back with a 9-2 run to grab an 11-6 advantage with 2:27 left in the opening quarter.
DeAndreis, who finished with a game-high 21 points, created problems for Yerington the entire game. He scored five consecutive points - the last two of the first period and first three of the second - to put the Longhorns up 14-12.
Battle Mountain kept the lead the rest of the first half behind a strong defensive effort that saw Ivan Chavira and Richard Glenn score layups off steals.
The Longhorns maintained their advantage for much of the third quarter and led by as many as six points at 32-26 after a put back by DeAndreis. However, Yerington closed out the third period on an 8-2 run to tie the game at 34-34.
Battle Mountain bounced back with six straight points to start the fourth quarter off baskets by Glenn, DeAndreis and Jacob Johnson. The Longhorns kept their six-point lead at 44-38 after another bucket by Johnson, but watched as Yerington fought back with a 7-0 run to retake the lead at 45-44. The Lions had a chance to add to the lead but missed three free throws during the stretch.
Johnson came back to tie the game at 46-46 for Battle Mountain, but the Longhorns fouled Yerington with 32.1 seconds to play and the Lions made 1-of-2 shots to lead 47-46.
Battle Mountain committed a turnover the next time down the floor and was forced to foul. Yerington made two free throws with 20.6 seconds to play to lead 49-46. The Longhorns had an opportunity to tie the game but missed a shot, and the Lions came back down the floor and made one free throw to put the game out of reach at 50-46 with 11 seconds left.
Johnson and Glenn each scored nine points for Battle Mountain, while Damion Wilson added three and Chavira and Nelson two each.
Saturday's game was another barnburner, as coach Worth Nelson said it was a very competitive matchup the entire way and that neither team had more than a five-point lead.
The Longhorns had a one-point lead with 13 seconds to play but Rite of Passage scored in the final seconds to get the win.
"Rebounding hurt us a little, but we did a better job of boxing out as the game went on," Nelson said. "We had a couple of key turnovers and missed free throws in the last minute of the game. It was an exciting game for the fans to watch but kind of a bummer for us to lose. Having two competitive games this weekend should help us later on when we find ourselves in those situations again."
Battle Mountain plays host to Pershing County on Friday at 4:30 p.m. and travels to Silver Stage on Saturday for a 1:30 p.m. tip. The Longhorns open Ruby Mountain League play on Tuesday at Elko at 4:30 p.m.
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