A battle ensued in the PCHS gym last Tuesday night.
The Mustang boys basketball team ended its eight-game losing streak with a win against the Coral Academy of Science – Reno 61-52.
“Coral was a game we wanted back. We knew we gave that one away at Coral,” said Jesse Canchola, referring to the Mustang’s 44-39 loss to the Falcons on Dec. 30 in Reno.
Ashton Nolf led the scoring with 17 points. Travis Donaldson and Aaron Kienbaum also reached double digits. Donaldson scored 15 points. Kienbaum had 15.
On Thursday, the Mustangs lost to the second ranked team in the 2A (behind Yerington) — the Incline Highlanders 71-22.
The Highlanders are a tall team with eleven players out of 13 over six-feet in height. Their roster includes eight seniors.
“We knew we had to play hard and give it all we had,” said Canchola. After the Highlanders put 58 points on the board, the Mustangs made a decision.
“We decided to press which led to some vulnerability and Incline got into the 70s,” said Canchola. “We had nothing but praise from Incline coach Tim Kelly. He sees the program turning around.”
Donaldson led with 10 points for the Mustangs. Nolf added six. Kaden Chambers had four.
Friday the Mustangs played a road game in Tahoe City against the North Tahoe Lakers. The Mustangs lost (42-63). Donaldson led with 14 points. Blake Burrows scored nine points. Nolf had eight.
“Our underclassmen continue to produce as their experience will help us out in the future,” said Canchola. “Diego Gonzalez continues to make strides even though this will be his only year of basketball.”
In 2019 Canchola started as JAG specialist at the high school. He recalls finding Gonzalez in the small gym at lunch.
“He was shooting half court shots and I told him ‘Come play for me.’ He’s been committed ever since.” Gonzalez graduates this spring.
JV boys go 2-0 for the week
The JV boys sent CASR home with a loss (63-17).
“We came out ready to go after what Wendover did to us last Saturday,” said JJ Meyers. “Our offense looked really good and we were flying around on defense.”
Luis Sanchez hit six three-pointers and led the scoring with 23 points.
The JV Mustangs also beat North Tahoe 40-28. Izayuh McGlothin led with 12 points. Money Mike Reitz had 11.
“It was a flat game for us. We missed a lot of easy looks and shot 15-31 from the free throw line – not good,” said Meyers.
Upcoming games
On Friday, Jan. 28, Pershing County goes to Silver Springs to play the Silver Stage Nighthawks. The teams competed at PCHS earlier this month in one of the most riveting games of the year. It ended in a three-point loss for Pershing County 43-40.
Saturday, Jan. 29 the Mustangs host Yerington. The Lions beat the Mustangs 59-24 earlier this month.
