FALLON — What a debut for Carson High’s wrestling team and its new coach, Justin Shine.
Not only did the Senators win the Hal Wilkens/Stockman’s Invitational with a 5-0 record Saturday afternoon, but they snapped Lowry’s state record of 109 straight dual-meet wins with a thrilling 33-30 win.
Carson was the last team to beat Lowry in December of 2009 at the Capitol City Duals.
Carson also beat Fallon, 42-24, Spanish Springs ‘B’ 40-34 and Silver Stage 84-0. Carson also beat South Tahoe, but the final score was unavailable.
The win over Lowry came down to the last match, as 106-pounder Terin Keller won via pin. Lowry led 30-21 before the Senators roared back.
“The whole place was watching that match,” said Shine. “That match went back and forth all night. We’d win four matches and then they’d win four matches. Lowry has been the toughest team in all divisions for a long time, and to beat them was big.
“The kids wrestled tough (against Lowry). We had a letdown after that dual. We couldn’t pull it back together. Overall we wrestled all right.”
Brandon Basa (120), Kyle Rudy (126), Nathan Mersino (138), Brady O’Keefe (145), Kevin Rusler (182, 195) and heavyweight Sheldon Miller all went undefeated on the day. Keller and 220-pounder Sam Haight posted 4-1 records on the day. Jarod Butler was 3-2 at 160.
“We had a good ride home on the bus,” Shine said. “It was big for the program. It should give us momentum going into this weekend.”
Carson has its biggest Sierra League meet of the season when it faces Damonte Ranch at 6 p.m. at Morse Burley Gym. The winner of that match will likely win the regular-season title.
BOYS BASKETBALL
Carson finishes 4th
SAN FRANCISCO — San Ramon Valley outscored Carson, 9-1, in the last two minutes to grab a 49-46 come-from-behind win in the third-place game at the 57th annual Crusader Classic at Archbishop Riordan High School Saturday night.
Carson, 1-2, opens play at the Railroader Classic against Silver Stage at 3 p.m. on Wednesday.
Carson played without Jace Keema, who was attending his sister’s college graduation, and Asa Carter was injured late in the game, forcing him out the final five minutes.
The key play in the game came with approximately 1:50 left. Carson was leading 45-40. A missed free throw was tipped out to Austin Henderson, who nailed a 3-pointer and was fouled. He converted the ensuing free toss, cutting Carson’s lead to 45-44. SRV would add three more points down the stretch.
“Defensively, we played outstanding,” CHS coach Carlos Mendeguia said. “The kids came to play. San Ramon is a very good team and very physical, and they have a very good inside out game. Asa had an outstanding weekend here.”
Henderson led all scorers with 15 points, hitting four 3-pointers. Nick Rango added nine.
Carter led the offense with a season-high 13, Tez Allen had 11 points and eight rebounds, Jayden DeJoseph added 10 points and six boards, and Kyle Krebs finished with seven.
Dayton hammers Silver Stage
TRUCKEE — J.J. Ply scored 20 points and Josh Riders added 19 to lead the Dust Devils to an easy 46-27 win in the consolation championship at the Truckee Tournament Saturday afternoon.
The win evened Dayton’s record at 2-2 entering the first round of the Whittell Tournament Thursday afternoon. “We just kept going inside the whole time,” Dayton coach Jason Santos said.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Dayton girls lose two
HAWTHORNE — The Dust Devils lost twice Saturday, falling to 1-5 on the season.
Dayton lost 46-12 to White Pine and then dropped a 37-22 decision to Lovelock.
In the loss to Lovelock, the Mustangs outscored Dayton 26-11 in the second half to win easily.
“Lovelock never gives up and they know how to finish games,” Dayton coach Kelly Frantz said. “That’s what we are taking away from our game today. Three days of traveling back and forth is tough, but I am happy my girls came ready to play and finish the tournament.”
Angela Sikora scored 10 points, pulled down seven rebounds and had for steals to lead the Dust Devils. Kristina Mason had five points and five steals while Eloa Neep had six rebounds and four points.
JV BASKETBALL
Carson boys triumph
Derek Berry scored 14 points to lead Carson to its first victory of the season, a 49-45 overtime victory over Damonte Ranch Saturday morning.
Carson, 1-3, also got 10 points from Trent Robison and seven fom Dawson Lamb.
CHS girls lose
RENO — Despite 15 points from Lauren Lemburg, the Senators lost 58-45 to Lassen Saturday at the High Sierra Winter Challenge at Reno High.
Carson, 1-3, also got seven points from Ku’ulei Haupu. Carson plays Reed on Tuesday.
