The Pershing County Mustangs never pass up an opportunity to improve. That’s why they headed to Elko County this past Thursday. “We were surprised with an offer for our varsity to play Spring Creek, as we did not have a game scheduled for the week, but with the smoke and Covid we knew there was a chance somebody’s schedule would open up,” said PCHS head coach Mike Brooks. “It worked out well because our JV was already there.”
It was a big weekend for Northern Nevada’s high school soccer world. Pershing County High School hosted a tournament from Thursday through Saturday. The Mustangs competed against the Fernley Vaqueros, North Tahoe Lakers, Spring Creek Spartans and Lowry Buckaroos. Other teams included White Pine, West Wendover and Battle Mountain. Lowry and Tahoe sent both boys and girls teams. Wendover sent a boys team.
Battle Mountain saw some fierce competition this past weekend. They hosted a preseason volleyball tournament. Pershing County ’s entire volleyball program competed, both varsity and JV. Varsity played at the high school while JV headed to the junior high.
No one ever questioned that Patrick Cantlay had the chops to be among golf’s elite. What he might have lacked in number of PGA Tour victories, he made for it with the way he won or the field he beat. His victory Sunday in the BMW Championship — the fifth of his career and his PGA Tour-leading third of the season — was a little of each. On a Caves Valley course that suited the biggest hitters, facing the biggest masher of them all in Bryson DeChambeau, he delivered a moment that will be remembered for the ice in his veins and nerves of steel.
The Battle Mountain High School girls soccer team opened its season this past weekend in Lovelock at the Pershing County Invitational. The Lady Longhorns took on the Lowry JV, Spring Creek JV and North Tahoe. Battle Mountain is home on Saturday to play White Pine at 2 p.m.
“It was an awesome weekend for volleyball,” said PCHS coach Monica Halverson. The volleyball team opened its preseason in Yerington last Friday and Saturday. This weekend, they go to Battle Mountain for their second tournament. In Yerington, the girls played three matches each day. Friday, they competed against Sierra Lutheran, Galena and Yerington Frosh. Saturday they faced Damonte Ranch, Mammoth Lakes and Churchill County.
It’s a big weekend for northern Nevada’s high school soccer world. The PCHS players are hosting a multi-team tournament Thursday through Saturday.
Friday night football wouldn’t be the same without the Pershing County spirit squad. They add a spark of excitement to the atmosphere. Later in the year, they’ll be back for basketball.
The Pershing County Mustangs scrimmaged against visiting Californians on Saturday afternoon. Air thick with smoke hid most of Lone Mountain. You could just discern its outline. “We weren’t sure we were going to be able to play, but the wind picked up and helped us. The day was awesome,” said Mike Brooks, now starting his fourth year as head varsity football coach.
The Mountain West released its 2021-22 men’s basketball schedule Friday, as the slate returns to its 18-game format. With the conference schedule returning to its traditional look after a 20-game slate in 2020-21, Nevada will play home-and-homes with eight schools, while playing one opponent at home only (New Mexico), and one on the road only (Air Force).
Matt Lisle, who holds more than 16 years of coaching experience at the collegiate and professional level, has been named Nevada baseball’s director of player and program development, head coach T.J. Bruce announced Aug. 18. In 2020, Lisle helped lead the Fresno State softball program to an unprecedented turnaround. The Bulldogs, who finished No. 64 and No. 89 in the RPI the last two seasons, improved to No. 12 in 2020.
Nevada quarterback Carson Strong and running back Toa Taua found their names on a pair of 2021 preseason watch lists, with Strong being tabbed a candidate for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, and Taua a candidate for the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award. Strong has previously, this summer, been named a candidate for the Maxwell Award, Davey O’Brien Award, CFPA National Performer of the Year Trophy, and Manning Award, while the announcement is Taua’s second recognition, following his addition to the Reese’s Senior Bowl Watch List last week.
Asami Morita has been named assistant coach for the Nevada women’s basketball program, head coach Amanda Levens announced Monday. In her seven seasons at Robert Morris, the Colonials made five Northeast Conference Championship Games, winning titles in 2016, 2017, and 2019. RMU went 133-78 (.630) since 2014-15 and notched 91 wins in league play.
The Pershing County Mustangs hosted an old friend last week for four days of concentrated volleyball. “This is the second Gold Medal Squared camp I’ve organized for my players,” said head coach Monica Halverson. “It has been going on since Shauna Bake ran the program.”
All last week, the PCHS soccer players met on their home field for conditioning and team building. Coach Matt Fuller and Eva Matuszyk were mindful of the late summer's heat. The girls met early in the morning for a couple of hours and came back in the evening for more.