Charyce Ramsey moves the ball down the court during Thursday's CCMS 8-grade basketball game.
Churchill County Middle School’s Lady Wave basketball teams dominated the court against Yerington Thursday, taking home wins in both games.
The 7th graders claimed a strong 34-12 victory. The Wave quickly pulled ahead, gaining a 6-0 lead on Skai Shults and Kaitlynn Hoffman’s baskets. Yerington’s Lexie Hoferer scored a single 2-pointer, but a final basket by Fallon’s Liliana Bettencourt ended the first quarter 8-2. The Wave maintained its lead in the second quarter with Bettencourt, Kaiserita Otuafi and Ramona Norris ending the first half 14-6.
Fallon continued to run the court in the second half. Otuafi and Shults maintained the home team’s lead while Yerington was kept to a single basket and a free throw; going into the final quarter, the Wave led 20-9. Fallon charged ahead in the fourth quarter, with baskets from Payton Smith, Norris, Hoffman and Otuafi; while Yerington’s players broke through to score, the Lady Tigers could not overpower the Fallon defense.
The 8th graders’ game was much different — though a 27-19 victory for Fallon, Yerington’s team was a force to be reckoned with. Fallon scored first thanks to Sydney Jarrett, but back-to-back baskets by Yerington turned the lead around. The Lady Wave scored a final basket by Charyce Ramsey before the quarter ended 4-3.
As the second quarter started, Fallon’s Addie Smith tied the game at 4-4. Yerington responded with a Caithlynn Camarena basket. Amya Fernandez kept Fallon close with a free throw, 6-5. The Lady Tigers opened their lead again with Reana Thomas scoring a basket and a single free throw. The Lady Wave wasn’t finished, though, and they rallied, claiming the lead with baskets from Micky McAlexander, Shaylee Coldwell and Husclyn Clark. Yerington attacked, though, and tied the score, 11-11, with a final basket by Raven Malone.
The second half opened in a stalemate as the teams exchanged the lead. The back-and-forth ties were broken, however, when McAlexander snagged a nice steal from Yerington, heading back to Fallon’s basket for a nearly unopposed point, 17-15. The Lady Wave secured their lead on Reese Wagoner’s basket, though Yerington ended the quarter by closing to one point behind, 19-18. Fallon almost shut out the Lady Tigers in the final quarter, but a final free throw from Piper Davis with a minute to spare closed the game.
Fallon 8th grade coach Chelle Dalager said the game “was awesome.” She recalled Fallon lost when they played in Yerington, so they came prepared. This victory puts Fallon in second place going into the regional tournament next week; they will have a bye Thursday before playing Friday.
Dalager said McAlexander “really showed up” to play. The coach said she’s always hustled and played well; during this game, she scored six key points and had a strong defense. Coldwell was also commended for a strong game.
“It was a good game,” Dalager said. “We set a game plan and they followed that game plan.”
Coach Keith Lund said his 7th graders had a great game.
He said Yerington isn’t what they’re used to playing and they played tough. Lund said he never counts the Lady Tigers out and noted they can always come back. He added that many of his players stepped up, though.
“They did good,” he said. “We had a lot of girls step up and play better than I’ve seen them play, so that’s good. We need to keep it going … hopefully we can carry through to the tournament.”
Fallon traveled to Silver Stage Tuesday and hosts Pyramid Lake Thursday. Dalager said their first game against Pyramid was close, though low scoring.
“They’re decent players,” she said of Pyramid. “If we play like we played tonight and everyone plays with the same energy, we’ll be fine.”
Lund said Pyramid’s 7th grade team is small, but they have strong players.
