Fernley was the place to be this past Friday, as girls basketball took center stage with a 2023 state championship rematch between the Lowry High School girls basketball team and Fernley.
It was standing room only in the final game of the Vaqueros gym and was the game of the week on Nevada Sports Net.
The hype did not disappoint, as both teams showed why they are two of the best. In the end the Vaqueros avenged their state championship loss with a 66-52 win.
The Lady Bucks came out and threw the first punches of the night with a 9-0 run to start and 19-7 lead in the first quarter.
However, the Vaqueros knocked down two 3-pointers at the end of the first quarter to cut the deficit to 19-13 after eight minutes of play.
Fernley used that momentum to come back and lead 32-31 at halftime. The Vaqueros slowly pulled away to a double-digit lead in the third quarter. The Lady Bucks were within eight points at the start of the fourth quarter but could get no closer.
The two rivals end the regular season on Feb. 10, in Winnemucca. It will also be Hall of Fame day for Lowry and three new inductees. It’s possible the two can play four times like last year if they advance through the playoffs.
Britain Backus continued her hot shooting streak with 20 points and four more 3-pointers to finish with 20.
Savannah Stoker added 12 points and Bruce Brinkerhoff joined them in double figures with 10. Autum Sanchez netted seven points and Khlloe Shorey two.
Before the match-up with Fernley, Lowry traveled to Dayton on Wednesday, Jan. 17, and cruised to a 68-34 win.
The Lady Bucks scored the first 15 points and led 27-8 after eight minutes of play.
Backus and Stoker each scored 25 points, with Miranda Draper and Allison Green adding five each. Audry Mason scored four and Maura Braatz and Shorey had two each.
Lowry (14-5 overall, 4-1 Northern 3A) travels to Spring Creek Thursday for a 6 p.m. tip and Elko on Saturday for a 1 p.m. start.