Consistency is the name of their game. The Pershing County High School girls basketball team went 2-0 against West Wendover for the season.
They beat the Wolverines at PCHS last month 43-30. This past Friday, they traveled to Wendover and did it again 55-31.
It was Pershing County’s last regular game of the year.
The Mustangs stand at 17-9 overall, and 9-5 in the 2A Northern.
“We played what I thought was our best game as a team,” said coach Lee Houston. “We went in with a plan that the girls executed perfectly. We pounded the ball inside to Kaydance (Happy) and she seized the opportunity, scoring 23 points.”
Now the girls shift their focus to the regional and state tournaments. They’ll start the playoffs this Thursday at Winnemucca Junior High at 1 p.m.
“We look forward to the zone tournament as we feel like we are peaking at the right time. We are waiting to see what seed we are and who we will play,” said Houston.
The varsity girls have a built-in support system - the JV girls. Coach Damien McKinney reflected on their progress. They finished the 2021-22 season with a loss against West Wendover.
“We lost against West Wendover but the girls all showed tremendous growth,” he said. “Defensively we were active and scrappy. Offensively was a struggle as we had far too many turnovers.”
McKinney praised Anna Happy for her ability to handle the pressure. She studied the film of opposing teams and implemented strategies.
First-year player Eudosia Mendoza worked hard, especially defensively, he added.
The basketball coaches asked Aryn Sam to step up to a new role handling the ball. McKinney said “she did not disappoint.”
Neither did Mady Grenz.
“Mady started off timid but towards the end she was an enforcer who expected to get every rebound,” he said.“Kaylah Hanley got after it defensively. When she accepted her role she did an amazing job.”
McKinney enjoyed coaching his daughter Yasmine. He asked her to score the ball and play solid defense on the opposing team’s perimeter players.
“She was great at both at times and learned to play confidently throughout the season,” he said.
Kyria Angel was not available most of the year, but according to the coach “she did great things for us when she was available.” Angel was the team’s primary ball handler.
Marina Corcuera had never played basketball. However, her determination to learn the game served the team well.
“Marina was a good defender and she loves to shoot the ball,” said McKinney. “It was a solid and fun year with these ladies.”
“We had many first-year players and at times you could tell,” he concluded. “Other times they looked comfortable and knowledgeable about what they were doing. There was a lot of growth but so much more to be had.”
“We look forward to supporting the varsity girls through zone playoffs and to the summer. The ladies have vowed to work on their game and become better basketball players.”
