The Fernley boys basketball team looks poised to make another run at the NIAA-U.S. Bank 3A State Tournament after beating Dayton 68-49 on Saturday.
Fernley improved to 4-2 in the Northern 3A, with its losses coming to the top two teams, Manogue and Lowry. The top three teams qualify for the state tournament.
Against Dayton, Fernley broke the game open by outscoring the Dust Devils 19-3 in the third quarter to take a 60-32 lead.
"Without a doubt, it was our best shooting night of the year," Fernley coach Dave Burns said. "I was a little surprised we shot the ball so well. I was just pleased with the way we came out.
"We just played extremely well. The kids played with a lot of intensity. Ijust think they're understanding the moment right now. I'm just really, really pleased with the effort."
Matt Lambeth hit four three-pointers on his way to scoring 16 points for Fernley. Adam Schwab scored 12 points and Tim Hines added 10 points for the Vaqueros.
Fernley (10-6) also received a lift from its sophomore guards, Mike Lambeth and Tony Selden, who each hit two threes. Burns added that his team's unselfish play led to many easy baskets.
Nick McQueen scored 14 points and Matt Bowman added 11 points to lead Dayton.
GALENA 49, SPANISH SPRINGS 22
Galena held Spanish Springs scoreless in the fourth quarter as it improved to 3-2 in the High Desert League.
The Grizzlies outscored Spanish Springs 17-3 in the second quarter to take a 29-12 halftime lead and led 40-22 after three quarters. David Robinson scored 17 ponts and Whip Thompson added nine points for Galena (9-9)
GIRLS
GALENA 55, SPANISH SPRINGS 30
Joanna Hixon scored 18 points and Jenn Molinari added a season-high 15 to help Galena High School to a 55-30 High Desert League girls basketball victory at home against Spanish Springs on Saurday night.
The Grizzlies led start to finish to improve their league record to 3-2 (11-8 overall). Spanish Springs is now 1-4 in league (8-10).
Hixon and Molinari scored six points each in the first quarter when Galena jumped out to a 21-6 lead. The Grizzlies never looked back as they extended their lead to 37-14 at halftime and 52-25 at the end of three quarters.
Seslee Howell was a force inside for the Grizzlies with 10 rebounds and eight blocked shots.
Kyle Molino led Spanish Springs with 18 points.
Galena returns to action next Saturday with a key league game at home against Elko.
FERNLEY 37, DAYTON 31
Fernley outscored Dayton 22-10 in the second half to overcome Dayton after the Dust Devils led for much of the game. Dayton outscored Fernley 7-3 in the second quarter to take a 21-15 halftime lead. Fernley came back to tie the score 27-27 after three quarters.
Kaylea Dunn scored 14 points and Rachel Henderson added 11 points for the Vaqueros while Jessica Cantwell scored 12 points for Dayton.
JUNIOR VARSITY BOYS
VIRGINIA CITY 77, GERLACH 51
Mike Simons scored 20 points and Kevin Lynch added 19 points for Virginia City.