1A BOYS: Spring Mountain victory achieves feat for program

Spring Mountain’s boys basketball team faced an uphill climb Saturday, trailing the two-time defending Class 1A state champions by seven points entering the fourth quarter.

With history as their motivation, the Eagles kept clawing.

“We weren’t worried, and we didn’t panic,” Spring Mountain coach Ed Cheltenham said. “We knew we could play harder and find a way.”

The Eagles rallied for a dramatic 49-47 win over Pahranagat Valley in the Class 1A Southern League tournament final at Durango High, earning the first league tourney title in program history under the current postseason format.

Roemello Brandon had 16 points, nine rebounds and five blocks, and Marqion White made 3 of 4 free throws in the final 46.2 seconds to help Spring Mountain (23-6) clinch the South’s No. 1 seed for next week’s 1A state tournament.

Both teams advanced to Friday’s Class 1A state semifinals at UNR’s Lawlor Events Center. Spring Mountain will play Owyhee at 12:40 p.m, and Pahranagat Valley will play McDermitt at 4 p.m.

“We really did this for Coach (Cheltenham),” said White, a sophomore guard. “Coach pushes us to do it, and we did it for Coach. That’s all I can say.”

Spring Mountain trailed 35-28 entering the fourth quarter, but eventually took a 44-43 lead on a basket by Tomoshea Edwards. Christopher Munro sank a pair of free throws with 58.2 seconds left to put Spring Mountain ahead 46-43, and the Panthers (18-9) turned it over on their ensuing possession.

Tyler Higbee hit a baseline jumper to bring Pahranagat Valley within 47-45, but White made two free throws with 22.4 seconds left for a 49-45 lead, and the Eagles held on.

“My team counted on me and depended on me,” White said. “That’s all that went through my head, 'Do it for the team, do it for the team,’ and I hit them.”

Edwards scored 13 points, White scored 11 and Tyrice Hall had seven points and 10 rebounds for Spring Mountain, which avenged a 45-44 loss to Pahranagat Valley during the regular season in which the Eagles lost on a free throw with no time left on the clock.

“Coach pushed us at practice,” White said. “He knew we would have another chance at them, and now look at us. We’re champions.”

Higbee scored 18 points for Pahranagat Valley, which got 13 points from Derek Hansen and 12 points from Chase Hansen.

Cheltenham called the historic win “the greatest feeling” in his eight years coaching the Eagles.

“We’ve never been in this position before, and the kids have worked so hard all season long,” he said. “Like I said in my only speech to the kids, 'Go out, have fun and let’s make history.’”