The Winnemucca Junior High School seventh and eighth-grade girls basketball teams concluded their season this past Saturday in Lovelock.
The Warrior eighth-graders knocked off Lovelock 30-12 in the championship, as Kelcey Cooper and Sierra Maestrejuan earned all-tournament honors. Winnemucca finished 13-8 on the season.
The Winnemucca seventh graders completed a 13-1 season with a 25-16 victory over Oasis Charter School from Fallon. The Warriors pulled away at the end to secure the win.
“It was a physical, defensive game with not a lot of scoring,” said WJHS coach Grant Beatty. “But, we made the shots when we needed them the most, at the end of the game.”
Maci DeLong led the way scoring, much like she has all season, with 12 points.
“She is a great player and her speed is unmatched at this level,” Beatty said.
DeLong was named all-tournament, along with Adia Bengochea, who hit four free throws at the end of the game to seal the victory.
Shanae Smith scored two points and the coach added that Mackenzie Begay hit a big shot with a few minutes left in the game to help the Warriors. Kayla Lininger, Tea Novi, and Lilly Landt were solid defensively all game, according to Beatty.
“The girls have a very bright future, the parents are very supportive, and I really look forward to watching this group develop more,” Beatty said. “It was a pleasure to coach such a talented and mature group with so many unique personalities.”
