A surge at the end of the first half Tuesday night was the difference for Spanish Springs in its 46-41 opening round Northern Division I Boys Basketball Region Tournament victory against Douglas in Sparks.
Spanish Springs (16-10 overall) scored nine unanswered points in the middle of the second quarter during a surge in which the Cougars turned a 14-11 deficit into a 24-16 halftime lead. Douglas (10-17) led 9-5 at the end of the first quarter.
The Tigers fought back after the intermission and remained within striking range until the waning seconds. Spanish Springs led 36-32 at the end of three quarters.
Sophomore Marcus Loadholt scored 20 points, including three 3-pointers and 5-for-5 shooting from the free throw line to lead the High Desert League champion Cougars. Josh Prizina, another sophomore, also scored 12 points for Spanish Springs.
Spanish Springs, now riding a nine-game win streak (11 wins in 12 games), faces Galena Thursday night at 7:15 p.m. in the region semifinals at Carson High School.
Douglas posted a 42-41 win at Spanish Springs when the two teams met Jan. 6 during a regular season contest. Connor Lyons led Douglas with 12 points.