Since 2006, Reno High’s girls basketball team has not lost to Carson.
What is tough to swallow if you are a Carson fan, is only only two of the past 12 meetings have been decided by fewer than 15 points. It’s been one lopsided loss after another.
In 2006, the first year MaxPreps kept records, Carson dropped a 44-41 decision. In 2010-11, the Senators lost 46-33. Reno has outscored Carson by an average of 30 points a game.
The teams met in the opening game this year, and Reno rolled to a 68-34 decision. The teams open the regional playoffs tonight at 7 in Reno. The Huskies went 14-0 in the regular season, while Carson posted a 7-9 record.
Reno’s offense is built around 6-foot-3 Mallory McGwire.
The talented Reno post player is averaging 21.8 points and 14.3 rebounds a game. The Huskies are a completely different, and not so dangerous team, without her on the floor. Daranda Hinkey, also a junior, is the only other Husky averaging double figures (10.6).
McGwire is the focal point of any defensive game plan.
“We are going to go right at her,” said Carson coach Nate Tolbert, who in all likelihood is coaching his last game at CHS. “We can’t be concerned with getting our shot blocked. We need to get her in foul trouble like we did the last time. It’s hard to contain somebody that big and that athletic.
“It’s going to take a perfect game for us to have a chance to win, and that’s something we haven’t done all year.. We can’t just ignore their other players. They have some girls that shoot the ball really well.”
Carson’s Maddie Preston leads the Senators into tonight’s game. She’s averaging a team-leading 13.7 an outing and is second on the team in rebounding at 3.8 a contest.
Michelle Perry is scoring at a 7.6 clip. Kayla Aikins and Teresa Boehmer are at 4.2 and 3.8. Boehmr leads the team in rebounding.