The Lowry High School boys basketball team at the Mesquite Madness tournament at Virgin Valley High School in Mesquite.
With a new coach and young team, the Lowry High School boys basketball team started the season with three losses in its first four games.
Since that start, the Buckaroos have won eight of its last nine games, including thee by one point and a double overtime win on the road against South Tahoe.
Lowry continued its winning ways last week at the Mesquite Madness tournament, hosted by Virgin Valley High School. In their first four games, the Buckaroos picked up three wins.
Lowry opened the tournament on Wednesday, Dec. 27, against Lincoln County of the Southern 2A. The Lynx held a two-point lead after eight minutes of play.
The Buckaroos shook off the slow start and used a 23-point second quarter to lead 32-26 at halftime.
Lowry saw that lead slip away in the second half and Lincoln County took a 57-56 lead with 12 seconds to play after making 1-of-2 free throws.
Off the miss, Lowry brought the ball up the floor and had number of looks at the basket, when Kasyn Garner put back a shot as time expired.
After a short discussion, the officials ruled the shot good, giving the Buckaroos the 58-57 win.
In its second game on Dec. 27, Lowry took on host Virgin Valley and lost 61-48.
The Bulldogs jumped out to a 14-6 advantage after eight minutes of play but the Buckaroos came back with another strong second quarter to trim the deficit to 30-29 at halftime. Virgin Valley pulled away in the second half to secure the win.
In its first game on Thursday, Dec. 30, Lowry had little trouble with White Pine, beating the Southern 2A school 68-33. The Bobcats did not make their first field goal until the 1:40 mark of the first quarter.
ReiCyan Grau put six-point in the first quarter, with four those coming off layups on steals. Jaden Jimenez, Jack DeLong and Kayd Garner added baskets in the opening eight minutes.
Lowry led 25-9 after the first quarter and then scored the first nine points of the second quarter. Kayd Garner and DeLong added baskets at the end of the first half to give Lowry a 45-20 advantage at the break.
The Buckaroos were up 63-29 after three quarters and created a running clock early in the fourth on a basket by Dempsey Jenkins.
To close out Dec. 28 play, Lowry faced Pahrump Valley of the Southern 3A and won 60-54.
The Buckaroos led by four points at halftime but trailed entering the fourth quarter. Lowry came back in the final eight minutes to pick up another close win and improve to 9-4 on the season.
Lowry finished the tournament on Friday against Enterprise, Utah, and results were not available at press time due to early print deadlines from the Oregon printer.
The Buckaroos make their home debut this week against Spring Creek and Elko.