Lovelock’s Riley Harvey (23) drives for a one-handed layup against Oasis player Emma Lewis in Wednesday night’s game in Fallon.
The Pershing County High School girls basketball team won two league games on the road this past week. The first, against Oasis Academy in Fallon, couldn’t have been any closer 46-45. The second win, against Sierra Lutheran was a more decisive 43-15.
Heading into Christmas break, the girls stand at 7-2 overall, and 4-1 in the 2A. Their only league loss so far has been against their rival school, Battle Mountain.
Pershing County head coach Lee Houston says Pershing County played from behind the whole game against Oasis. With five seconds to go and the Mustangs down by one point, Kyra Cerini got fouled. With all eyes on her, it would have been understandable if Cerini got rattled at the free throw line. She didn’t.
Oasis' Haley Flick (14), left, tries to move past Pershing County’s Aaliyah Allen in a Wednesday night home game.
“Kyra confidently stepped up and knocked down both free throws and we stole the win,” said Houston.
Cerini knocked down four 3-pointers and scored 21 points. Aaliyah Allen and Riley Harvey also scored in the double digits. Allen scored 15 points and Harvey added ten.
After the win, Pershing County had one of its best practices of the year so far, according to the coach. The momentum carried over to their next game
“Our defense was tough against SLHS all night especially in the first half, holding them to five points,” he said.
“Riley (Harvey) was huge for the Mustangs, on both ends of the court. She defended great, scored 20 points, and made some great passes along the way. Another big bright spot was everyone scored in this game.”
Then girls aren’t done with 2024 yet. On Friday, Pershing County hosts the Dayton Dust Devils at 3 p.m.
Pershing County jumps back into league play on Friday, Jan. 3, at Yerington at 6 p.m. North Tahoe, one of the top teams in the Northern 2A, visits on Saturday, Jan. 4 for a 2 p.m. tip.