Boys all-stars light up the scoreboard

FALLON - High school seniors from Northern Nevada lit up the scoreboard in the final high school basketball game of the year.

The Blue boys' team overwhelmed the Silver by winning 83-73 in the sixth annual Fallon Optimist Basketball Classic Tuesday at the Elmo Dericco Gym.

"The kids had a great time," Blue coach Kyle Schellin said. "It's good to get out and lace up their shoes. This game is an appreciation for these kids and what they have done this season."

Schellin, who led the Reno Huskies to the 4A state title in February, had five players from his school compete including Roman Van Allen, Kyle Elliott, Mike Nelson, Bryan Carano and J.J. Mulligan.

Mulligan led the Blue team with 19 points including three 3-pointers, and Jordan Stokes (Dayton) added 15. Nelson scored 10 points followed by Adam Houghton (Carson) with eight. Fallon's Donnie Kidd scored seven points.

"It was nice and felt good to play again. I'm competitive," Houghton said.

"As for playing with kids from Reno, it was nice to have some tall guys on the team."

Kidd enjoyed the competition.

"It felt good (to play in this game)," Kidd said.

"It was kind of different because there was a lot of competition. Out here, every one was good."

Colby Satterthwaite (Spring Creek), who finished with five points for the Blue team, liked playing with teammates from the 4A.

"It was good to play with people from the 4A like Reno," Satterhwaite said. "There's a lot of competition. I felt like I can play with them."

Silver coach Keith Crawford became weary when Schellin started his five Reno players in the fourth quarter.

"When I saw Reno's starting five, I closed my eyes and whatever happens, happens," Crawford said.

Overall, the Truckee coach enjoyed being part of the Optimist game.

"It's a good thing they have going for these guys," Crawford said. "It's a great deal, and I hope they can continue with it. This is for the kids. Both teams put on a good performance."

Eddie Cranford (Hug) led the Silver team with 16 points including four 3-pointers and Josh Buck (Damonte Ranch) added 12.

Matt Lagrone (McQueen) scored 11 points and Chris Carlson (Damonte Ranch) had eight. Royce Rowe (Hug) and Doug Williams (Spanish Springs) each finished with seven points.

Truckee's Jason Chapman, who scored three points, liked the change after finishing his baseball season last week.

"We had a great experience," he said. "For a guy like me from the 3A to play with guys from the 4A, it's a lot of fun. I finished baseball a week ago, and I was a little rusty."

The Blue team trailed in the first period, 21-17, before scoring 22 points in the second quarter to take a 39-33 halftime lead.

The Blue team erupted for 44 second half points with 20 coming in the third quarter and 24 in the fourth.