The playoff chances for the Pershing County High School boys basketball team took a hit last weekend with a pair of losses to North Tahoe and Incline.
However, the Mustangs still have the opportunity to get back in the postseason hunt with six games to play. Pershing County has beaten three of the opponents they will face in the next three weeks.
Pershing County made the trip to Tahoe City, Calif., on Friday for its first meeting with North Tahoe on the season, with the Lakers coming away with a 43-40 victory.
The Mustangs (10-8 overall, 5-5 Division III North) picked up nine points, six rebounds, three steals and three assist from senior Dylan Garretson. Ivan Gamino added eight points and three rebounds and Tim Rhodes had six points, three rebounds, three assists and two steals.
Colten Davis and Jared Brinkerhoff each scored five points, with Brinkerhoff grabbing eight rebounds. Drew Jaramillo finished with three points and Marquis McKinney and Jesus Cruz two each.
Pershing County made its way back from the Sierra Nevada Mountains to host Incline on Saturday. The Highlanders completed the season sweep, with a 53-44 win.
Incline grabbed a 14-9 lead in the first quarter and made it last throughout the day. The Highlanders increased the advantage to eight points at halftime at 27-19.
Pershing County closed the gap to as little as three points in the third quarter on the strength of a 15-10 run. Incline was able to hold off the Mustangs in the fourth quarter for the nine-point win.
Brinkerhoff paced Pershing County with 11 points and five rebounds. Tim Rhodes added nine points and Chris Franco and Gamino had eight and six, respectively. Jaramillo and Cruz each scored four and McKinney had two.
"The Incline game was so fun," said PCHS coach Lance Condie. "We competed right down to the end. Both games were a one-point game with about two minutes left. Although we didn't get the wins, the kids played extremely hard."
Pershing County is currently tied for fifth in the Division III North with White Pine at 5-5. The top four teams in the final regular season standings advance to the regional tournament that will be played Feb. 21 - 22 in Battle Mountain.
West Wendover leads the league at 10-0, Incline is second at 7-2 and Battle Mountain (6-4) and North Tahoe (4-4) are third and fourth, respectively.
Pershing County travels to Yerington on Thursday for a 7:30 p.m. tip. The Lions won the first match-up 52-30. The Mustangs host Silver Stage on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. The Nighthawks are currently winless in league play.[[In-content Ad]]
