The McDermitt High School (MHS) girls basketball team matched up with the Braves on the road last Saturday, and they emerged with a 60-47 victory.
The win clinched the Eastern 1A regular season title and the Lady Bulldogs will be one of two No. 1 seeds for next weeks regional tournament in Reno.
McDermitt jumped out to a 9-6 first quarter lead, and they pushed it to 29-18 by the half.
“We didn’t play our best basketball, but we were able to squeak one out in the end,” said MHS coach Jaimi Wilkinson. “They played us really tough and we played super-tight. We led by 11 at halftime, and then we let them get within three at the end of the third. The kids rallied and played very well in the fourth quarter and we were able to stretch it back out.”
The Braves doubled up the Lady Bulldogs in the third 16-8 to make it 37-34 at the end of three quarters.
However, McDermitt pulled away in the fourth quarter to go to 14-3 overall and 6-0 in league play. They sit atop the 1A East Northern girls standings.
“It was a big win for everybody, and I was tickled to get out of Owyhee with the win," Wilkinson said. "Kalli (Sam) came in off the bench for us and played phenomenally; she played super defense and scored 12 points. She kind of kept us in the game in the second half when things were starting to look scary. I was super proud of her. I was proud of Marley (Astor) too; my bench really stepped up for us.”
Precious Masters was the leading scorer for the Lady Bulldogs with 27 and she also grabbed 19 rebounds for a double-double.
Jasmine Northrup had 10 points and sophomore Katie Crutcher added seven. Takayla Antonio and Victoria Navarro both had two points, and Navarro secured 10 rebounds also.
McDermitt was scheduled to play Carlin on Thursday, weather permitting.
McDermitt was set to close out the regular season at Eureka on Friday. Results of the contests were not available at press time.
“Anytime that you play in Eureka it is very physical and loud with a kind of crazy atmosphere," Wilkinson said. "It will be a good tune-up for us going into the regional tournament.”
Eureka (5-2) is in second place, Owyhee is third at 4-3, Wells holds a 1-5 record, and Carlin (0-6) is winless. Jackpot did not field a team this season.
The top four finishers in the Eastern 1A qualify for the Northern Regional Championships at Wooster and Hug high schools in Reno on Feb. 21-23.
“I am cautiously optimistic about the regional tournament, you just never know,” Wilkinson said. “You have to come in with the mindset that you are going to play like it is your very last game. The teams that are playing the best basketball late in the season are the teams that generally win that title.”
Masters is leading the Lady Bulldogs with 25 points and 15 rebounds per contest. Crutcher has 10 points and four rebounds per contest.
The State Tournament is in Las Vegas on March 1-2.
“I feel like we have not played well yet this year," Wilkinson said. "So maybe that will be our breakout weekend. Nothing would make me happier than seeing this group of girls make it to the state tournament. They have to win two games at the regional’s to qualify. I am hoping that they are able to rally and play their best basketball then, because we haven’t done it yet. I know that we can play better and I am hoping to see their best.”
