WINNEMUCCA - The Lowry High School freshmen boys basketball team ended its season in style Friday with a 68-39 road win at West Wendover to finish out the year with 16 consecutive victories.
The Buckaroos' only losses of the season came at the State Farm Invitational in Reno, with a five-point defeat to Damonte Ranch and a one-point loss to Douglas. Lowry finished the season at 22-2 overall and 6-0 in the Ruby Mountain League.
"This was a fun season and I had a great time," said LHS head coach Grant Beatty. "I was fortunate to have some great kids and never had any problems this season. They listen well and have great chemistry. I got lucky to have a team like I did for the first time coaching."
The Buckaroos picked up six points from Christian Gray and four more from Roberto Sanchez in the first quarter to help build a 15-9. However, Lowry had to take off its usually successful full-court press after West Wendover had little trouble breaking it.
"We have been pressing well all year and have taken advantage of that but Wendover just went through it easy," Beatty said. "We changed up to a man-to-man defense from there on out and we played pretty good. We played good defense and contested shots. A lot of our mistakes were missing the easy baskets to start the game."
Dawson Cassinelli collected six points in the second quarter, with Pete Chavez adding five. Roberto Sanchez, Luke Logan, Kyle Tarr and Josh Rose each had one basket, as the Buckaroos went into halftime with a 34-18 advantage.
"We had a good, balanced attack and everyone scored for us except one player," added the coach. "Pete had one of his best nights of the season. Towards the end of the season, we were having different guys step up and help us."
Lowry built its lead to nearly 30 points in the third quarter, with six points from Gray and four each from Cassinelli and Sanchez. After scoring just 25 points through three quarters of play, the Wolverines posted 14 in the fourth quarter. But it was not enough to prevent the Buckaroos from pulling further ahead.
Eleven players in all scored, including four in double figures. Cassinelli led the way with 12 points, while Gray scored 11 and Sanchez and Chavez 10 each. Logan picked up seven points, Thomas Schwartz five, Rose four, Donovan Brumm three and Andy Mendoza, Chris Tyree and Tarr two each.
"I am thankful for all the support from the parents and coach (Howard) Ceballos and coach (Dave) Schwartz," Beatty said. "They made it easier for me. I think our kids have a good future ahead of them."
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