Muckers prepare for rematch in title game

RENO - Virginia City has long been known for its boys basketball program, which has won an impressive 17 state titles.

The girls' program has a chance to get into the state record books when it goes for its first-ever title at 3:20 p.m. today against McDermitt at Lawlor Events Center.

Virginia City reached the title game with a 49-36 win over Lake Mead on Friday night, while McDermitt toppled Pahranagat Valley, 41-30.

McDermitt coach Jaimi Wilkinson made it clear even before the Virginia City-Lake Mead game started that she wanted another crack at the Muckers, who have beaten McDermitt twice this year.

"Virginia City is a very good basketball team," Wilkinson said. "They are very well coached. Our point guard, Staheli Wilkinson, is a freshman, and she didn't handle the pressure very well. I expect them to come at us the same way."

Wilkinson admitted that Gigi Glogovac, the Muckers' talented senior, poses problems at the offensive end of the floor.

"She can post up and she handles the ball very well," Wilkinson said. "It will be very tough."

Virginia City beat McDermitt 47-41 in a preseason tournament before knocking the Bulldogs off 43-32 in the Northern 1A final last weekend in Elko. Beating a team three times in the same season is no easy task.

While the Bulldogs are worried about Glogovac, 6-foot-5 Becky Kershner will present some problems for the Muckers. Kershner blocked several shots against Pahranagat Valley and influenced many others. In fact, she forced Pahranagat Valley to shoot from the outside most of the first half. She averages 10 points and 10 rebounds a game, and blocks nearly four shots a contest.

"That's something you can't simulate in practice," Muckers coach Todd Hess said. "Obviously she's a talented player who plays good defense."

Kershner scored eight in McDermitt's win Friday, but it could have been more. She missed at least a half-dozen shots from point-blank range. If she struggles at all from the field today, the Bulldogs could be in for a long day.