Carson High's reward for running the table in the second half of the Sierra League schedule is a match-up against Reed in the first round of the NIAA 4A playoffs.
Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. tonight on the Raiders' home floor. Reed finished second in the High Desert League with a 10-2 record.
Doesn't quite seem fair, does it?
Carson (10-4 in league) could care less. After improving from six to 16 wins this season under the guidance of second-year head coach Todd Ackerman, the Lady Senators are thrilled to be in the post-season and ready to take on all comers.
Reed will be a handful to be sure. The Raiders are led by ex-Carson star Danielle Peacon, Erica McKenzie, Leilani Young, Kayla Shannon and Micah Walker.
"They (Reed) are pretty good," Ackerman said. "They are real good. I think we match up pretty well. We have to play exceptionally well (to win).
"They have Erica McKenzie and they have (Danielle) Peacon. McKenzie can flat out shoot the basketball. She'll shoot 2 feet behind the 3-point line, 5-feet or 10 feet."
The whole Reed team can shoot from the outside as evidenced by its 10 3-point field goals in the regular-season finale against Spanish Springs.
Peacon, meanwhile, started her freshman season at Carson, but transferred to Reed the next fall. She will be a handful for Cassie Vondrak, Bre Anderson and Blaike King.
"Danielle is getting better," Ackerman said. "Her size (6-foot-1) makes it tough for us. She's going to get shots. If she's going to beat us, hopefully she's going to beat us from 15 feet and not 2 feet."
The Senators also must contend with Shannon, who likes to go to the basket, but isn't likely to hurt Carson a great deal from the outside. Young doesn't break defenders down off the dribble, according to Ackerman.
Each possession will be important for the Senators, who must take care of the ball against Reed's three-quarter and half-court press. Reed usually drops back into a 1-3-1 zone or a 2-3 zone, according to Ackerman.
Brandi Vega needs to play smart basketball and not play out of control against the press. She has been able to dribble through and around pressure most of the time and feed the ball to teammates for open shots.
"They want to trap out of the zone," Ackerman said. "It's not like they take stuff away. If we beat the trap, we'll get some good looks. Yvonne (Hollett) and Gina (Bianchi) have to hit shots. Cassie has to hit the shot from the free-throw line. Tiffany (O'Day) has to knock down the 6 or 7-foot shot."
- Dayton, 2-10 in the Northern Nevada 3A, has its hands full on Thursday when it faces Lowy at 3 p.m. at Reed High School.
Lowry, 9-3 City knocked off Dayton twice during the regular season - 63-47 and 58-36. In both games, Lowry's defensive pressure forced a ton of Dayton turnovers, and no doubt Lowry coach Jack Smith will employ the same strategy.
The Dust Devils are led by Aundria Pluck's inside presence, while Ariella Ruybal, Matia Spencer and Kathy Arias are strong on the perimeter. Dayton needs to minimize its turnovers to have a chance at an upset.
Lowry is led by Morgen Thacker, who averages 14.1 a game, Darrian Black 7.8 and Skylar Estes 9.7. Thacker is Lowry's best perimeter shooter.
- Virginia City went 14-0 in league and opens 1A play against Wells at 3 p.m. at North Valleys.
The Muckers are led by Gigi and Sophie Glogovac.