Mustangs split pair of Northern 2A games

The Pershing County boys basketball team hosted Silver Stage last Tuesday night (Jan. 31). The Mustangs beat the visiting Nighthawks 68-19. On Friday, they traveled to Yerington and lost 51-47

They now stand fifth in the 2A at 10-13 overall and 5-7 in the league. 

“The Stage game was a good win in front of our fans,” said coach Jesse Canchola.

Aaron Kienbaum led the scoring with 18 points. Taylor Montes and Marshall Happy also reached double digits with 12 points each.

On Friday, the Mustangs traveled to Yerington for the last road game of the year. 

The competition ended in a near-tie with Lovelock trailing by three points.

“We came out slow and maybe overconfident,” Canchola said. “After the half we got within two points. Yerington hit a big shot to go up four. Unfortunately, we let one get away. Not playing two halves keeps costing us.”

Pershing County hosts Battle Mountain (6-5) on Thursday and West Wendover (11-1) on Friday. Both games start at 7:30 p.m.

The team will celebrate senior night at the West Wendover game, honoring Noel Zaldivar, their only senior.

West Wendover and Incline are tied for the lead in the Northern 2A at 11-1.

Both teams have secured first-round byes in the regional tournament. 

North Tahoe sits in third place at 7-4 and Battle Mountain (6-5) is fourth.

Pershing County and Yerington are tied for fifth and sixth and have qualified for the Northern 2A Regional Tournament.

The Northern 2A Regional Championships are scheduled to take place at Incline High School from Feb. 16-18.

There will be two boys and two girls games on Thursday, Feb. 16.