LAS VEGAS - Friday night's Division I-A NIAA boys state basketball semifinal matchup in Las Vegas between Lowry High School boys and Desert Pines was described by many as a David vs. Goliath battle.
The Jaguars dropped down from Division I this fall as part of the new realignment in Nevada and featured guard Julian Jacoby, who has signed with the University of Southern California.
Desert Pines, which features more than 3,000 students, lost just three times on the season, with two of those to California schools. The other loss came to Findlay Prep, who has been ranked No. 1 in the nation this season.
With all that laid out on the table, the Buckaroos were within a point of the Jaguars with three minutes left in the third quarter, when Desert Pines used a 17-1 run to pull away for a 68-53 victory.
"I love my seniors - our seniors," LHS head coach Chad Peters said after the game, which was played at Del Sol High School.
"I loved the effort we gave tonight. I was proud of my kids. They left everything out on the floor. We trailed by one point against one of the best teams in the state. I am not sad that we lost but I am sad that our season was over. I don't get to coach my three seniors again and that breaks my heart."
Lowry (21-7) used six points from Jesse Studebaker and four more by Josh Watterson to stay bucket for bucket with Desert Pines in the opening eight minutes of play. Trailing 10-8, Watterson drove the baseline for a bucket to tie the game and Josh Shaver followed with a 3-point field goal to give the Buckaroos a 13-10 advantage. The score would eventually be tied at 15-15 after the first quarter.
"Before the game, us coaches asked the kids not to be scared," Peters said. "We played right with them. "We sent a message to Nevada that we could play with anybody. I am not one for morale victories and that wasn't one tonight. What breaks my heart is when my guys work their butt off and we don't get rewarded for it because we are not expected to win. We are not Desert Pines. We were with the aggressor. We proved something and earned the respect of Desert Pines after the game."
Lowry began the second quarter with Studebaker and Garrett Naveran with two fouls apiece, but still led 17-15 after a bucket by Tytus Millikan.
Desert Pines (28-3) answered with a quick 7-0 run off of Lowry turnovers and did not trail again. Millikan scored all eight of the Buckaroos' points in the second quarter and the junior finished with 13 points. The Jaguars ended the first half on a 9-2 run to lead 31-23 at halftime.
Desert Pines scored eight of the first 10 points of the third quarter to up the margin to 39-27, and forced the Buckaroos to take a timeout. Following the break in the action, Shaver and Watterson connected on back-to-back 3-point field goals. Watterson closed the gap to 39-37 after Lowry forced a turnover and Desert Pines quickly called timeout.
Watterson then made 1-of-2 free throws to close the gap to a point at 39-38. The Buckaroos had a chance to take the lead but missed a layup and the Jaguars pounced on the missed opportunity.
Desert Pines converted a 3-point play the ensuing possession down the floor and closed the third period on a 10-0 run in the final three minutes to pull out to an 11-point advantage.
A pair of dunks by Jacobs added to the run that ended at 55-38 in the fourth quarter on a basket by Watterson. The Desert Pines advantage grew to as many as 22 points following a technical foul by Peters midway through the fourth quarter.
Late baskets By Calvin Connors, Chris Dendary and Studebaker closed the gap to 63-50 but Lowry could not get any closer.
"We made some improvements in the final week and you don't see that from many teams," added the coach. "We worked hard and got better. We showed that the north can play basketball."
In his final game in a Lowry uniform, Studebaker led the Buckaroos with 15 points, before fouling out in the closing minutes.
"He could not have worked any harder for his team," Peters said. "He played his butt off. The kid was sweating from head to toe."
Watterson added 12 points, Shaver six, Connors five and Dendary two.
"Josh played outstanding tonight and Chris gave us some good minutes," said the coach. "Calvin never left the floor and guarded one of the best and quickest players in the state."
Lowry came in as the defending state champion and had played in the last three state championship games, losing to Sparks in 2010 and Moapa Valley in 2011. The Buckaroos have reached the state tournament for five consecutive seasons.
Desert Pines won its first state basketball title on Saturday night at the Orleans by beating Clark 59-57. The Jaguars overcame a 17-point deficit to earn the victory over the Chargers.
"I love what we have at Lowry," Peters said. "There is no other place I would rather be. "We lose three quality kids that we need to replace. We are going to do our best to be back here next year and we will look to get better."
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