Dalton Kaady (10) and Truckee's Jairo Chavez (3) reach for the ball during Friday's game in the Elmo Dericco gym.
The Greenwave boys’ basketball team claimed its second win of the week Friday, defeating Truckee 59-46 in a home game.
The game started slowly, but some quick scores by Elijah Jackson and Craig Smith pushed Fallon ahead, closing the first quarter 10-5. In the second quarter, Fallon continued to hold its lead; the Wolverines started catching up, though, coming close to tie the game. The Greenwave stayed ahead, entering halftime 22-18.
Fallon fought back hard after play resumed, adding to its score and holding Truckee back. By the end of the quarter, the Greenwave had an 11-point lead, 37-26. Both teams pulled out all the stops in the fourth quarter. The court was a flurry of motion as the players raced for more points. The Greenwave stayed ahead, and with a series of baskets by Thomas Steele, and a final basket by Dalton Kaady, closed the game.
Fallon coach Brad Barton said the Greenwave played well. He said he felt the win against Sparks gave his players a confidence boost and reinvigorated them.
“Once you start getting a little of a winning streak, guys expect to compete and expect to win; that’s a good energy to have on your basketball program,” Barton said. “With these young guys being able to compete and win these games is good for us.”
He also said the players improved their strategies in practice and executed them well. The players got impatient and tried to force some plays, but Barton said things improved once they calmed down.
Kaady said they ran into some trouble with rebounds in the first half, but got better in the second. He recalled they had lots of help from the posts and free throws.
“Everyone was really focused,” he said.
Kaady led the Greenwave with 16 points from two treys and two free throws, and Jackson added 14 with two free throws. Christian Nemeth tallied 9 points, from five free throws, and Hayden Strasdin scored 7. Thomas Steele was hot at the free throw line, making six of his eight free throws.
Barton said Kaady did a good job managing the offense and was hustling on defense, letting his energy inspire the rest of the team to give it everything.
On Tuesday, the Greenwave started the second half of the season by facing Fernley at home, and then travels to Lowry on Friday.
Kaady said they would need to win some crucial games to move up in the tournament brackets. Currently, the Greenwave is vying for the top four with Spring Creek, Lowry and Elko.
Barton said the team will look at footage from their earlier games to refine strategy for the second half. He recalled that they’ve played all the league teams once already and will be more competitive if a good game plan is in place.
