The regular season to the Rural basketball season came to an end on Saturday, Feb. 19, with the first game of the championship round being played as well.
• The first game of the day featured a Division II match-up between the Paradise Panthers and McDermitt Bulldogs.
The Panthers came out strong during the first quarter, as Ben Bayles scored three shots for six points and Demaris Sam made one shot for two more. McDermitt’s Ethan Alexander made two shots for four points and Paradise Valley was ahead 8-4 after the first quarter.
In the second quarter, Bayles scored another shot for two more points, bringing Paradise Valley’s score to 10. Legacy Scott made three shots for six points, also bringing the Bulldogs’ score to 10. At the half they the Bulldogs and Panthers were tied at 10.
In third quarter Sam Bayles scored three shots and one of two free throw shots, for seven points and Brynlee Hoagland made a shot for two points. The Bulldogs’ Ethan Alexander made a shot for two points and at end of third quarter the Panthers had pulled ahead 19-12.
In the fourth quarter, McDermitt’s defense shut Paradise’s offense down and Paradise did not score. Alexander made another two-point shot but ultimately, Paradise Valley won 19-14.
• Next up, Division I teams McDermitt and Kings River took the floor. During the first half however, eighth-grader Cody Allen passed out mid court and Kings River played the rest of the game with only five players. Prior to that though, Allen scored a shot for two points in the first quarter.
For the Bulldogs Reign Crutcher made two shots for four points, Warrick Crutcher scored a shot for two points and Cayden Crutcher, the birthday boy, made a shot for two more. At the end of first quarter the Bulldogs led 8-2.
Isaac Warner made a two-point shot, which he was fouled on while going up, but he did not make the additional free throw. Shortly after, Wanner made a 3. McDermitt took full advantage of fact that Kings River only had five players. Those who scored during the second half were: Cayden Crutcher-2, Kiara Crutcher-2, Alexis Scott-2, Cierra Smart-2, Reign Crutcher-12, and AJ Farmer-2, for a total of 22 points. At the half McDermitt was up 30-7.
In the third and fourth quarters, McDermitt continued to control the boards. However, Colton Allen scored a 3-pointer and Isaac scored two points with an additional foul shot. For McDermitt Ebony Crutcher made two shots for four points, Trevor Smart made a shot for two and Cayden Crutcher made two more shots for four points. Alexis Scott made a beautiful lay-in for 2 points, Reign Crutcher made one more shot for two points, Warrick Crutcher made three shots for six and AJ Farmer made two more shots for 4 four points as McDermitt won 54-13.
• In Division II action, the McDermitt Bulldogs took on the Orovada Eagles. The first quarter started off slow, with only McDermitt’s Jordan Chavez scoring two points.
During the second quarter, Ethan Alexander scored two shots for four points and Legacy Scott made a shot for two, bringing the Bulldogs’ score up to 8. Juevenal Olivera made a shot for two points for the Eagles. and the Bulldogs led 8-2 at halftime.
In the third quarter, Logan Gordan scored a shot for two points and Juvenal Olivera made another shot for two more, bringing the Eagles’ score up to six. Chasen Wilkinson made a two-point shot and Legacy Scott made two shots for four points, followed by a free-throw for one more as the Bulldogs led 15-6. Jordan Chavez fouled out for the Bulldogs.
During fourth quarter Logan Gordan made another shot for two points and Addysen Edwards scored for two more. The Bulldogs put eight more points up, as Ethan Alexander made a shot for two, Ector DeLuna also made a basket and Legacy Scott also made two shots for four points and McDermitt won 23-10.
• Next up Paradise Valley and Orovada played a Division II contest to determine who would be seeded third and fourth for the final game of the day to begin the championship tournament against number one seed McDermitt.
The Paradise Panthers Ben Bayles, Jaxson Morgan, and Cooper Hoagland all scored one shot for six points in the first quarter. Orovada Eagle Brian Woodworth scored a shot for two points.
During the second quarter Cooper Hoagland made another shot for two points and Travis Kelly made two shots for four points. Orovada’s Robert Depaoli made a shot for two points and Paradise led 12-4 at halftime.
Nevertheless, after the half Orovada’s defense shut Paradise down and they did not score again. Orovada’s Robert Depaoli made three shots for six points and a free throw shot for one more. Brian Woodworth made two free throws for two points and Keigin Cordeiro made a two-point shot. At the conclusion of the game, Orovada won 15-12. This set in motion the play-off game between No. 1 McDermitt and No. 4 Paradise Valley.
• In the interim Division III teams from Paradise and Orovada played. They were awarded their participation ribbons for the season and all walked, skipped, or danced away with a smile.
• In championship tournament play, Paradise Valley and McDermitt Division II kicked off and ended the day.
No. 1 seed, McDermitt, had 10 points on the board at the end of the first quarter and Paradise 0. Reign Crutcher made three shots for six points. Both Warrick and AJ made a two-point shot for four more points.
In the second quarter, Cooper Hoagland made a shot for two points. McDermitt’s Alexis Scott, with a big smile, made two more shots for the Bulldogs for four points. At the half McDermitt was up 14- 2.
The following half Paradise Valley’s Travis Kelsey made a shot for two points, Ben Bayles and TyAnn Kern both made a free throw for two more. Those that scored for McDermitt were Cayden Crutcher-4, Kiara Crutcher-4, Alexis Scott-2, Reign Crutcher-7. At the end of the game the score was 31-5, as McDermitt moved forward in tournament play. Paradise’s season came to an end.
Paradise Valley’s team MIP was TyAnn Kern and their MIP was Travis Kelsey. All members were recognized for their participation and sportsmanship throughout this season. Coach Brandon Hoagland also received a certificate of appreciation. The championship day was held this past Saturday in Orovada.
