Fallon searches for first win

A scheduling quirk makes for an interesting start for the Lady Wave basketball team.

After Fallon’s 51-37 loss to Lassen on Tuesday, the two clubs faced each other Thursday in the first game of the High Sierra Winter Classic in Reno.

Lady Wave (0-1) coach Anne Smith said Tuesday’s matchup was already scheduled before the tournament released its brackets. Nevertheless, it’s another crack at Lassen and an opportunity for Fallon to pick up its first win of the season.

Thursday’s result was not available at press time. Fallon caps the tournament with a 4:30 p.m. tipoff today against Damonte Ranch and a 3 p.m. game Saturday against Galena. Both games are at Spanish Springs High School.

“That’s why you have these nonconference games, to try things out,” Smith said.

In their first matchup, the Lady Wave held a 14-13 halftime lead, but Lassen exploded for 29 points in the third quarter to blow the game open.

Fallon rallied to outscore Lassen 16-7 in the fourth quarter, but the damage was done.

Senior point guard Ali Tedford led the Lady Wave with 15 points, while Kayln Huckaby added 10.

“It’s the little things that make a big difference against good teams,” Smith said.

Smith’s first look at her club in action came with expected results. Several areas were solid, such as perimeter shooting, executing the plays and communication.

“In the beginning we were playing man defense … and they were communicating,” Smith said. “Our shot selection was good through the whole game.”

Other areas need work, like breaking the full-court press and zone defense structure.

“We put them into a full-court press back into a zone defense and just fell apart,” Smith said. “I probably should of pulled them out quicker, but in my mind we are preparing for league, so I kept them in it and tried to make adjustments to help them. That is something we have to work on.”

The tournament, meanwhile, will get the girls’ feet wet before league play begins next week at Elko and Spring Creek.

Smith is working to determine player rotations and how the offense and defense flows. Naturally, the early season slate is an opportunity for Smith to determine who will earn minutes in the league slate.

Smith said one goal, besides winning, is to work on transition offense, zone defense and full-court press. In addition, the fourth-year coach will add new plays.

“These things we have to work on regardless if we win or lose because next week we are into league,” Smith added. “What better place to practice them than in this tournament.”

Fallon opens its home schedule after the New Year on Jan. 2 against Truckee and a nonleague game Jan. 3 against Douglas.