Pershing County's Anna Happy guards against Carson on Saturday at PCHS.
The Pershing County High School girls basketball team likes a challenge. They know that's how they'll grow as a basketball team.
They rose to the occasion this past week with two non-conference wins, one on the road in Dayton 36-27 and the other at home against Carson 47-34.
"Last year we felt like our non-conference schedule needed to be tougher. This year we were able to get 3A Dayton and 4A Carson City on the schedule to make us step up. We loved how the girls stepped up to the challenge," said coach Lee Houston.
The coach said Lovelock had a hard time finding its offensive rhythm in Dayton. They were unable to force turnovers against the Dust Devils. However, their solid defense held Dayton to 27 points.
"It wasn't pretty but we were able to grind out the win," he said.
Raegan Burrows led the scoring with 14 points. Yasmine McKinney added 10. Kyra Cerini had six points.
Yasmine McKinney shoots past a Carson defender.
The Lady Mustang's first home game of the year drew a crowd on Saturday.
They put 16 points on the board in the first quarter and their confidence soared.
Defensively, Burrows frustrated the Senator's top shooter, holding her to two points in the first half.
Meanwhile, sophomore Kyra Cerini shot three 3-pointers for the Mustangs.
"Anna Happy and Taylor Garland had solid games handling the ball, getting us up and down the court and running our offense.
Aaliyah Allen and Yasmine McKinney also had solid games holding down the paint," Houston added. "These two games were great confidence boosters heading into league play."
Burrows led with 14 points. McKinney added 10 more. Cerini's three 3-pointers put nine points on the board. Allen had six points. Garland contributed five, including a 3-pointer.
On Tuesday, Dec. 12, Lovelock hosted Sierra Lutheran to begin league play.
Results were not available at press time. Friday, Dec. 15, the girls travel to Incline to take on the Highlanders.
Next, the Mustangs trek to Battle Mountain (Dec. 21), West Wendover (Dec. 22) and Yerington (Jan. 3).
They'll be back on their home court against North Tahoe on Jan. 5.