WINNEMUCCA - It took all of three weeks for the McDermitt High School boys basketball team to surpass its win total of a season ago.
The Bulldogs picked up a pair of wins in Crane, Ore., before going on Christmas break. McDermitt defeated Prairie City (Ore.) 50-33 on Dec. 20 and Baker (Ore.) 76-62 on Dec. 21 to win the tournament.
The Bulldogs had a balanced scoring attack against Prairie City, with seven players entering the score book. TJ Smith led McDermitt with 16 points to go with eight rebounds.
The Bulldogs (4-3) got off to a slow start with the Panthers taking a one-point lead after eight minutes of play. McDermitt came back to tie the game at halftime and came out on fire with a 25-5 run in the third quarter to put the game out of reach.
Saul Lopez and Brendan Wilson added nine points apiece, while Lopez added seven steals and two assists. Tyler Coble finished with six points and nine rebounds and his younger brother, Tanner Coble, added six points, five rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block. Frank Muratore had four points, two rebounds and two steals.
In the win over Baker, the Coble brothers combined for 52 of McDermitt's 67 points. Tanner Coble, a sophomore, scored a career-high 33 points and he grabbed six rebounds. Tyler Coble scored 19 points and picked up a double-double with 18 rebounds.
Baker held the advantage in the early going, but McDermitt scored 23 points in the second quarter to lead 33-28 at halftime. Baker cut the deficit to four points in the fourth quarter, but the Bulldogs were able to hold on for the win.
Alex Rincon recorded a double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds. Wilson finished with five points, three assists and two rebounds.
McDermitt returned from winter break Jan. 3 to host Jordan Valley, Ore. The Mustangs recorded their second victory of the season over the Bulldogs with the 46-33 win.
McDermitt opens Division IV East play tonight on its home floor against Wells at 6 p.m. The Bulldogs are back at home on Saturday to play Jackpot at 3:30 p.m.[[In-content Ad]]
