MCDERMITT - The McDermitt High School junior varsity boys basketball team couldn't overcome a slow start against Eureka on Jan. 24 and lost 61-42 to the Vandals.
Eureka jumped out to a 32-14 advantage at halftime, holding McDermitt to seven points in each of the first two quarters in the Division IV East contest.
"We just didn't come out and play well in the first half," said MHS coach Alan Weeks. "We made mistakes that we haven't been making the past few games and that hurt us."
The Bulldogs held their only lead of the day as Edgar Reyes opened the scoring. However, the Vandals netted 18 of the next 20 points to take an 18-4 lead. The only points in that stretch for McDermitt came on a basket by Brendan Abel. Eureka went on to take a 20-7 lead after the opening eight minutes of play.
McDermitt found its offensive touch in the third quarter, equaling its total from the first half. The Bulldogs picked up six points from Troy McKee and five each from Devan Vigil and Royd Northrup.
Vigil added seven more points in the fourth quarter as the Bulldogs cut the deficit to 13 at one time, but could get no closer.
"I was happier with the way we played in the second half," Weeks said. "It was fun to see Devan shoot the ball the way he did. He has come a long way since the beginning of the season. He came in at the start and never had played basketball before."
Vigil had 12 points for McDermitt; McKee joined him in double figures with 10. Northrup had eight, Ellison Tom six, Reyes three and Abel two.
McDermitt travels to Wells on Friday for a 4:30 p.m. tip and to Jackpot on Saturday for a 1 p.m. start.[[In-content Ad]]
