Oasis Academy's Mariah Snooks looks for an opening to pass the ball as Tonopah's Tessa North blocks her.
The Lady Bighorns had a good run for their first season in the NIAA, ending 10-8 overall.
Their final game against Tonopah was a loss Friday, 60-41. The game against the Lady Muckers started close, Oasis trailed by four at the end of the first quarter, 16-12. In the second, though, the Lady Bighorns were held back by Tonopah’s defense facing a 32-20 score at halftime.
Oasis tried to rally in the third, but still couldn’t to break ahead, 50-32.
Sadie O’Flaherty led Oasis with 18 points. Janelle Pike followed with seven, Taryn Barrenchea scored six, Brooklyn Whitaker four, and Savannah Robinson, Sequoya Casey and Mariah Snooks each added two.
Oasis coach Dusty Casey said his team did not play as well as they’re able to and it wasn’t how he wanted to end the season.
“They played hard, the effort was there,” Casey said. “We just made a lot of silly mistakes that I was not happy with.”
Overall, though, he said it was a good season and he’s looking forward to next year. He recalled everything improved from the first game to the last.
“I talk a lot about basketball IQ,” Casey said. “Well, our basketball IQ improved this year.”
He added they got to see what varsity competition is all about. He said the 1A division may be smaller schools, but they have strong athletes who “live and breathe their sports.” The team knows what NIAA competition takes now and the coach said he expects they’ll reach that point in the upcoming years.
Casey also said he’s excited for the coming years. He said he has most of the players for a couple more years, adding they should be a strong team by the time they’re eligible for playoffs after next year.
As a new member of the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association, the Lady Bighorns are not eligible for playoffs. Next year they will be part of the league schedule, but will still not be able to compete in playoffs.
The Bighorns will have new sports during the spring season. They will field boys and girls lacrosse, girls softball and boys golf.