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Playing without its leading scorer, the Oasis Academy boys basketball team missed out on qualifying for the 2A Northern Region tournament.
The Bighorns, who needed to win out last week, lost to North Tahoe and Pershing County at the city-county gym before defeating Sierra Lutheran last Saturday in the final game of the season.
Oasis Academy ended the season with a 6-12 mark in league, 10-16 overall.
"I always have high expectations at the beginning of the season,” Oasis Academy coach Don Schank said. “Our goal was to get to the playoffs in our first year competing in the 2A division. Unfortunately, we came up a little short. I know the boys were disappointed, as was the coaching staff, but we are still one of the youngest teams in the league and I have high hopes for them next season."
In last Wednesday’s 47-37 loss to North Tahoe, the Lakers jumped on the Bighorns in the first half to lead by 13 thanks to their inside presence and rebounding.
“North Tahoe is a big team and they were just beating us to every missed shot and loose ball,” said Schank, who was without Fenn Mackedon, who suffered an injury two weeks ago. “The boys got more aggressive on both ends of the floor, which turned the second half around. It's just disappointing that we couldn't put two halves together. I am proud of the way they responded."
Matthew Bird led the team with 10 points, seven rebounds and four assists, while Kayden White scored seven points and Hunter Adams and Austin Booker each had six points. Adams also had seven rebounds, two blocks and two steals. Trevor Barrenchea scored four points and led in steals with three.
In Friday’s 53-41 loss to Pershing County on Senior Night for Jason Neumann, the Mustangs made six 3-pointers in the first half to set the tone.
"They were moving the ball faster than our defense could react to and getting open looks at the basket,” Schank said. “The second half was just a continuation of the three-point bombs converting another five.”
Bird had a big game in the field with 20 points while Barrenchea added nine. Adams scored five points, Benton Snow added four and White had two.
In the final game of the year, a 34-24 win, the Bighorns came back from a 12-5 first-quarter deficit to lead by two at halftime, holding the hosts to no points in the second quarter.
"We started the game out so flat. Nothing was falling and our defense was not in sync allowing second shots and letting their shooters get good looks,” Schank said. “I was happy the team could end the season with a tough win on the road."
Bird led the team again with 10 points, Booker had nine and White added eight. Adams finished with five points and Barrenchea scored two.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
For the girls, Oasis Academy ended the year with a five-game losing streak after falling last week.
The Bighorns lost to North Tahoe, 57-23; Pershing County, 48-28; and Sierra Lutheran, 42-19.
No individual statistics were available.