The Lowry High School freshmen girls basketball team finished the year a perfect 20-0 and 10-0 in league play. The Lady Bucks beat their opponents by an average of 32 points.
To build a program like the Lowry High School girls basketball team has over the past couple of decades, it all starts at the beginning as young girls dreaming of playing in the blue and gold uniforms and progresses through the ranks from there.
The Lady Buckaroos have won four state championships, since 2014, including three straight titles in 2022, 2023 and 2024. Lowry also has two runner-up finishes on its resume in that span as well. Since 2002, Lowry has played in 17 state tournaments
Even though, Lowry fell short of a fourth consecutive title this season, there is a new group of young ballers that have been hiding out in the lower gym since November.
They play opposite of the JV and varsity teams in the smaller gym during gameday. The freshmen were able play one game in the big gym, its home finale against Spring Creek.
The group of 13 freshmen have come through the ranks of youth basketball, junior high basketball and travel teams and have built one of the best freshmen teams in recent memory.
Makinley Hislop and Iris Ramirez having a little fun for the camera.
A Trip to the Mall
Speaking of building things — a trip to Meadowood Mall and Build a Bear in Reno brought them even closer after Christmas. Even young ladies can still find the inner little girl in them and yes there are still malls to walk round in.
“They all are wonderful young ladies and work extremely hard on the court, but more importantly they work hard in the classroom,” said LHS freshman coach Larry Renteria. “From top to bottom, they are interchangeable with each other. They work well together, communicate and they are one big family. Usually, when you get that many girls together there could be drama but that never happened.”
Stuck in Reno for five days the day after Christmas could lead just about anything. But there was no drama or chaos with this group and before winning the tournament championship — Benson the Buckaroo was built.
“That was the girls’ little project,” added the coach. “It brought them even closer together. People ask me who’s Benson and I tell that is all the girls. It’s their mascot. He goes everywhere with them.”
Benson was with the Lady Bucks to practice and games the rest of the season. Benson always had the best seat in the house and was within arm’s length.
A Perfect Season
Lowry finished the 2024-25 season 20-0 and 10-0 in league play. The Lady Bucks outscored their opponents 926-298. That is a 46.3 points per game to 14-9.
The year included two wins over Bishop Manogue, who’s varsity program was the 4A state champion in 2024. Lowry beat them 46-19 and 51-10.
Other victories included 44 points over Carson, 51 over North Valleys, 30 over Carson and 25 over Douglas. The closest contest all year was 27-21 against Reno.
Lowry scored a season high 60 points against Spanish Springs and allowed a season-low two points to Dayton. Spanish Springs’ varsity squad was the 2025 regular season champion in the 4A and the Cougars were the 4A state runner-up in 2024.
Ixia Hernandez and Cael Morton flexing some muscles.
Fundamentally Sound
An unusual trait to many freshmen teams, the Lowry girls were fundamentally sound from top to bottom. Some passes and shots rivaled varsity fundamentals.
“They have been around each other so much it has just stuck with them,” Renteria said. “We were able to work on a lot of different things in practice that I haven’t been able to do in the past. You get caught up watching them sometimes. Each one has their own job on the team.”
If you blink, you will miss Savanah Ortiz on the floor. The 5-foot point guard led the team in scoring a 12 points per game, 2.4 assists and 9.0 assists a game.
“This was a very special season,” Ortiz. “We all have a really good connection with each other. Most of us have been on the same travel team and went through junior high together. We have played together so much, we know where everyone is going to be on the floor.”
Asked about Benson, Ortiz just smiled and noted he’s, our mascot.
“It was a great thing to do as a team,” she added. “We have a really good group. We need to stay together and the goal is to win another state championship.”
Listed at 5 feet, 3 inches, Maite Bengochea was the leading rebounder for the Lady Bucks and was second in scoring a 6.2 points game.
“The season has been a blast,” Bengochea said. “We are one big family and I hope we can stay together and they don’t break us up. It’s fun playing with the other girls. We have known each other for a long time. The goal is to win another state championship.”
Cael Morton averaged 6 points a game, along with 3.5 steals and 2.8 rebounds a game.
“This is the most fun I have had on a basketball team so far,” Morton said. “We are one big family and I love all these girls. That’s what I love about basketball is the team. We have a great connection on the court and work well together.”
With that connection, Morton added that Benson kept them even closer. “He was our glue.”
Renteria said he is looking forward to what the girls can do in the future and will continue to coach freshmen basketball as long as they have him back.
“It’s always fun and I am glad to the girls had fun,” added the coach. “My job is to get them ready for the next level. I have done this for a long time and you wonder sometimes, should I keep going? Once you get in the gym with the girls it all changes. They all make it fun and exciting. There are always ups and downs but the girls are just as good in the classroom. I was fortunate to have a great group. If they stick together, this could be a special group.”