The Pershing County boys basketball team is laser-focused on getting to the playoffs this season.
Last Saturday 19 players showed up for tryouts, with some out of town for the long weekend.
“It was a good showing and everyone worked hard for two hours. We have a goal to make playoffs for the first time in awhile,” said coach Jesse Canchola, a PCHS grad (Class of 2002).
He is the JAG specialist at the high school, helping students set and reach career goals.
In 2018, the Battle Mountain Longhorns and Pershing County tussled for the league championship at Adobe Middle School in Elko.
The Longhorns came out on top (50-47), maddening because the Mustangs beat the Longhorns twice during the regular season.
The Mustangs competed at the state level in 2012, 2013, 2016, 2017 and 2018 but the last time they brought home the gold trophy was 1965, as a member of the 1A according to the NIAA record book.
Canchola now begins his first year coaching the varsity Mustangs. He officially took the reins in the season that never was. But this time it’s for real.
“Mustang basketball has a rich history of success and it’s our goal as staff and players to get this program back where it needs to be,” he said. He says superintendent Russell Fecht and PCHS principal Jonathan Reynolds support the Mustangs 100%.
Sponsorships and fundraisers have outfitted the players with new varsity uniforms, more basketballs, practice jerseys, water bottles and basketball racks.
The coach says he’ll have an official roster after the first week of practice. However, first year player Diego Gonzalez and veteran Ashton Nolf will lead the way. They each graduate this spring.
Both seniors arrive fresh from the football field. Gonzalez wowed the crowds with his kicking abilities. Nolf played an aggressive defense.
They each look forward to the new basketball season.
“I’m excited to finally have a season to play and try and get somewhere with the team,” said Gonzalez.
“I’m excited to see how much everyone has grown and how much better we can be if we give it our all, work hard and give 110 percent even if we end up losing. We all have put in work and we can make the playoffs if we try hard enough,” said Nolf.
The first preseason tournament for the varsity squad is Dec. 2–4 in Hawthorne. They’ll play to a home crowd on Jan. 8 at 11 a.m. against the Silver Stage Nighthawks.
Colt news
Last Wednesday, the Pershing County Middle School boys basketball teams played Pyramid Lake, one of the most competitive teams in the league.
The seventh-grade Colts won 34-29. The eighth-grade game ran into overtime and ended with a Colt win (54-50).
The seventh grade improved to 3-1. The eighth graders are 4-0. Rich Campbell coaches the seventh graders.
He’ll coach the Mustang JV boys this year. Canchola coaches the eighth grade. JJ Meyers helps with both teams as they prepare for the Dec. 10 playoffs.
“The future of Mustang basketball looks bright,” said Canchola.
