The PCHS boys basketball team played two games this past week.
On Friday, the Mustangs beat the Silver Stage Nighthawks on the road 55-42. This past Saturday they lost 78-50 to Yerington at home.
On Tuesday, Lovelock traveled to Battle Mountain to play the Longhorns. Results were not available at press time.
The win against Silver Stage should boost the Mustangs’ confidence. Last month at Silver Stage High School the Mustangs lost to the Nighthawks by three points (43-40).
“It was one of the games we wanted back,” said Jesse Canchola, the boy’s varsity coach. “We had a great plan going in and executed it nicely. We played some of our best basketball against Silver Stage.”
Three Mustangs scored in the double digits. Travis Donaldson led with 17 points. Aaron Kienbaum had 11 and Diego Gonzalez added 10.
On Saturday, Pershing County hosted the No. 2 team in the Northern 2A - Yerington.
“We had to play perfect to win,” said Canchola. “We played hard but a lack of boxing out and turnovers got the best of us. I’m not much for moral victories but we scored more against Yerington this time than we have all year.”
On Saturday, Lovelock put 50 points on the board against the Lions. Last month Lovelock managed only 24.
The numbers hint at the Mustang’s improvement within only a few weeks. But will it be enough? Will Lovelock meet its goal of making it to the playoffs? That remains to be seen.
“We’ll try to win as many games as possible of the ones that are left,” said Canchola. “We just have to let everything play out.”
Donaldson led the scoring against the Lions with 14 points.
Kienbaum and Marshall Happy both had eight. Diego Gonzalez and Kaden Chambers added seven points each.
On Thursday, senior night, Pershing County hosts North Tahoe.
Last month the Mustangs lost a road game to the Lakers 63-42. Foul trouble contributed to the loss.
The Mustangs will say goodbye to three seniors – Ashton Nolf, Esteban Vidrio and Diego Gonzalez.
JV boys pick
up two wins
The JV boys, coached by JJ Meyers, played short against Silver Stage but still pulled off the win (48-23).
“We played with seven guys. We had four guys out that game so our bench got a lot of playing time,” said Meyers. “Landon Fitzpatrick and Tyler Miller stepped up big.”
Money Mike Reitz led the scoring with 15 points. Izayuh McGlothin had 10.
On Saturday, the Mustangs played with a full roster.
“We had everyone back. We started slow in the first half and Yerington played hard.
The halftime score was 22-18, with Pershing County leading,” said Meyers.
The second half the Mustang’s defense came alive. The coach credits Luis Sanchez and Denzel Zaldivar.
“They brought a lot of energy and caused a lot of turnovers,” said Meyers. Money Mike led the scoring with 20 points. Zaldivar had eight.
