Ball teams compete at state

Despite valiant efforts, both Vandal varsity basketball teams ultimately fell short of their goal to capture the 1A state basketball title Feb. 20-22 in Las Vegas. 

The boys team played Virginia City in the state quarterfinal on Thursday, Feb. 20 at Faith Lutheran High School and fell to the Muckers, 65-44. Virginia City went on to play in the state title game, losing to the Smith Valley Bulldogs, 51-49. The Vandals ended their season with an 11-1 league record, 18-7 overall.

The Lady Vandals played the Smith Valley Bulldogs in the state quarterfinal also on Feb. 20, defeating them 40-25. They advanced to the state semifinal against the Round Mountain Knights on Saturday, Feb. 21 at Southeast Career Technical Academy and knocked the Lady Knights out of their state title bid with a 35-5 victory. 

The Lady Vandals then faced the two-time 1A state champion Pyramid Lake Lakers in the title game at UNLV’s Cox Pavilion. The ladies gave the Lakers a run for their money, ultimately losing to them 50-34 and earning the 1A East Runner Up title. The Lady Vandals ended their season with a record of 11-1 in league, 24-3 overall.