After taking the winter months off, the Humboldt County Rodeo Club returned to action in Pahrump on Feb. 22-23. Cade Bell led both rounds of the saddle bronc, winning the first go-around with 67 points and the second with a score of 70. The Lowry senior was the only rider to ride his bronc both days. Bell also claimed the top spot in the tie-down roping on both days. He had a time of 13.210 in the first go-around and 11.360 in the second. Bell placed third in cutting with scores of 61 and 66, respectively.
The Winnemucca Junior High School wrestling team opened its season last weekend in Lovelock and took home the team title with 498 points. Silverland Middle School was second at 377.50. In the seventh grade division, Pete Bengochea won at 70 pounds, as did Erick Valencia (95), Gage Kinder (100), Jhett Harber (135), Elianna Bankes (165) and David Walker (heavyweight).
McDermitt High School sophomore Tristan Bitt was one of four Bulldogs honored in the Eastern 1A all-league selections, chosen by the league coaches. Bitt was named to the first team and was the leading scorers for McDermitt this season. He averaged 14 points a game, to go with 4.4 rebounds, 1.3 steals and one block a game.
McDermitt High School junior Katie Crutcher was named the Eastern 1A Offensive Player of the Year, selected by the league coaches. Crutcher averaged 18.8 points a game this season in addition to 3.1 rebounds, 2.7 steals and 1.2 assists a game. Eureka’s Ilyhia Greely was named the Defensive Player of the Year, while Wells’ Garrett Hylton was named the Coach of the Year. Jackpot was awarded the team sportsmanship award.
Depending on how Mother Nature is feeling, the Lowry High School baseball, softball and track and field teams are in action this week. The Lowry varsity softball team will make its way over the Sierra Nevada Mountains to play in the Franklin Preseason Tournament in Sacramento, Calif. Lowry opens with Laguna, Calif., on Thursday at 6:45 p.m. and will play twice on Friday against River City, Calif., at 10:45 a.m. and Oakmont, Calif., at 12:30 p.m..
College football’s top players turned the NFL’s annual scouting combine into speed week. Running back Jonathan Taylor promised to run the 40-yard dash in under 4.4 seconds. He did. Receiver Henry Ruggs III came, literally, a few ticks away from matching the fastest time recorded in the event’s 35-year history. Linebacker Isaiah Simmons showed he had receiver-type speed on Saturday, and even the big men turned heads with their fleet feet.
Before Mother Nature brought snow to the area on Saturday night, the Lowry High School baseball team hosted Spring Creek in a scrimmage at the high school. Both the varsity and JV teams were able to take the field and used a number of scenarios throughout the scrimmage. Lowry opens the preseason this week with four games in three cities. Lowry travels To Fallon on Tuesday for a 3:30 p.m. contest with Churchill County. Lowry is in Sparks and Reed High School on Friday to play Spanish Springs at 11 a.m. and Reed at 2 p.m. The Buckaroos finish the weekend in Carson City on Saturday to play Carson at 11 a.m.
The 2020 Humboldt County Rural Basketball League concluded on Saturday, Feb. 22, with McDermitt claiming the Division I and II championships. In Division I action, Orovada opened the tournament with a 22-19 win over Paradise Valley. In the semifinals, Kings River knocked off Denio/Fields in a close battle 29-25. In the other semifinal, McDermitt beat Orovada 37-5. In the title game, McDermitt beat Kings River 40-22 In Division II action, McDermitt White beat Denio/Fields 29-19 and McDermitt Blue defeated Paradise Valley 22-17 in a close match-up. In the championship game, McDermitt Blue be its McDermitt White counterparts 21-17.
The McDermitt White and McDermitt Blue basketball teams finished first and second respectively, in last Saturday’s Division II rural basketball championships. McDermitt won the Division I tournament as well.
A female wrestler has made history by winning a state high school wrestling championship in North Carolina. The North Carolina High School Athletic Association said on its website that junior Heaven Fitch of Uwharrie Charter became the first female to win one of the association’s individual state wrestling championships.
Jalen Harris had 23 points as Nevada edged past Wyoming 73-68 on Tuesday night.
The nice weather has allowed the Lowry High School spring sports teams to get on the field and get ready for the upcoming season. Baseball, softball, boys golf, track and field and swimming are all under way.
The Winnemucca High School Hall of Fame inducted three new members during last Saturday’s boys basketball game between Lowry and Dayton. The Winnemuca High School Hall of Fame honors both Humboldt County and Lowry student/athletes and contributors.
The McDermitt High School boys basketball team concluded its season at home on Friday, Feb. 14, with a 44-36 loss to Eureka. The Bulldogs missed out on the playoffs, finishing 4-8 in the Eastern 1A and 6-17 overall.
Sparked by another standout game from Jalen Harris, who scored 26 with nine rebounds, Nevada beat New Mexico 88-74 on Tuesday night. It was a game that marked the first return to the Pit of former Lobos coaches Steve Alford, who left New Mexico to coach UCLA before ending up at Reno, Nev., and Craig Neal, who replaced Alford with the Lobos, before getting fired after four years and joining Alford with the Wolf Pack. Both were booed heartily at their entrance to the arena.