Staff Reports
The standard has been set for the Dayton High basketball team and because of the level it reached last year, the Dust Devils also believe they have some unfinished business.
Dayton came within one point of winning the NIAA 3A state title, finishing as the state runnerup last season. The Dust Devils hope to continue the success of last year and got off to the right start, winning 67-27 over Silver Stage in the first round of their Sutro Classic.
"We think we let that win get away," said Dayton coach Rob Streeter about last year's title game.
"We're looking to match that," Streeter also said about last year's success. "The kids came out and worked hard.
"We know it's going to be a long road. We've got a different team this year. The kids are working hard. That hasn't changed at all. We'll see how far we go."
At least in the short term, the Dust Devils may have to go without team leader at point guard, Matt Bowman, who dislocated his finger in the third quarter against Silver Stage and sat out the rest of the way. Bowman will be evaluated today. "He'll be all right," Streeter said.
Before leaving, Bowman scored 18 points. Adam Diament led Dayton with 19 points. Danny Hopper pulled down 12 rebounds. Dayton also received a lift from Trent Wood and Ryan Blaver, who scored nine and eight points, respectively. Dayton suited up nine players and eight of the nine players scored.
The Dust Devils led 12-10 after one quarter and broke the game open by outscoring Silver Stage 24-4 in the second period. Diament scored eight points and Bowman added seven in the quarter.
Streeter said his team will be a more up-tempo, perimeter-oriented team that stresses pressure this year.
In today's semifinals, Sparks will play Incline at 6 p.m. and Dayton will play Damonte Ranch at 7:30.
REED 73, DOUGLAS BOYS 64
Even though the Douglas boys basketball team didn't play well against against one of Northern Nevada's top teams, the Tigers played evenly with Reed with the exception of the second quarter in which the Raiders outscored Douglas 29-18.
"We're not encouraged," Douglas coach Keith Lewis. "We obviously have to play better. We realize we're going to be fine."
6-8 freshman Keith Olson had his second straight solid game, scoring 22 points. He scored 18 points against Fallon.
"He's playing well," Lewis said. "The guys are doing a pretty good job of getting him the ball."
Eric Emm added 13 points for Douglas and Robert Vega scored 25 points for Reed. Lewis also said his team hurt itself with 20-25 turnovers. "We've got to take care of the ball better than we did," he said.
Two players who are expected to play key roles also struggled as Nick Summers and Andy McIntosh combined to score just four points. "We didn't shoot well," Lewis said.
BONANZA 44, GALENA GIRLS 39
Caitlin Cross and Caitlin Anderson each scored 15 points, but it wasn't enough for the Galena girls basketball team in the North-South Shootout.
"Those two have stepped up for us," Galena coach Karen Friel said. "We just have to get some help from some other places."