11The Mineral County High boys and girls basketball teams both suffered first round losses in the NIAA Division IV Regional Tournament in Elko last Thursday, and had their seasons ended in the process.
The boys fell to McDermitt 53-44 while the Lady Vandals lost to Eureka 49-42.

Cold shooting was the story in the first half of the boys game, as both teams combined for only 11 points in the first quarter at Spring Creek.

Mineral County’s defense held the guards of McDermitt to zero points however, but offensively missed several opportunities around the basket to open up a big lead.

As the Serpents struggled to find the basket in the second quarter, McDermitt gained some confidence and took the lead at half-time 18-14.  The Bulldogs outscored the MCHS crew 17-13 in the third quarter taking advantage of four turnovers and extending the lead 35-27.

Mineral County made a late run in the fourth quarter, cutting the lead to four points with 3:20 left in the game, but a turnover and an intentional foul call put the Bulldogs up by eight points, and the Serpents would never get closer.

“Taylen Wachsmuth did a good job holding the Bulldogs tall senior to eight points and only two free throws in the second half.,” said Mineral County coach Pete Summerbell.

The McDermitt guards took over outscoring the Mineral County guards 22-11 in the second half.  Overall, the Serpents outscored the Bulldogs from the floor 39-38, but the Bulldogs were 15 for 22 from the free throw line while the Serpents were 5 of 10.

Isaiah Crowl led the Serpents with 11 points and Wachsmuth added 10 points,.Brady Cardenas and Matt Cromer had nine points each while TyShawn Bonner finished with five points.

The Serpents finished 16-12 overall and 11-5 in conference finishing third behind Whittell and Virgina City.

Those two schools will play in this weeks state tournament in Las Vegas after Virginia City knocked off top seeded Whittell in the regional final. The Muckers will open with Pahranagat Valley on Friday, and Whittell will meet Spring Mountain High in the four-team bracket.

For the girls, the Lady Serpents made a strong second half run but fell just short in the end against top seeded Eureka in their 49-42 loss.

The Lady Vandals went on to lose the following day to Pyramid Lake, who lost to Smith Valley in the final.

Pahranagat Valley will face Pyramid Lake in the opening round of the state tournament, while Smith Valley will play Round Mountain. All games are at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas.