Agassi Prep has ring in sights

Kalinn Jackson saw the potential of Agassi Prep's boys basketball team in its first practice.

After transferring to Agassi Prep from Summit (Calif.), the junior swingman sensed an opportunity to win his first championship ring.

Today, Jackson will play not only for that first ring but for Agassi Prep's first state title in a team sport since the school opened in 2001.

Jackson hit four 3-pointers on his way to 19 points to lead the Stars to a 69-54 rout of Yerington in a Class 2A state semifinal Friday at Durango High School.

"We work hard in practice and come in at 6 a.m. just trying to get a ring," Jackson said. "We cherish every moment, just trying to work hard to get it for our school."

Agassi Prep (16-8) will play Incline (22-5) in the state final at 4:15 p.m. today at Orleans Arena.

"It's a thrill. All they've got to do is execute and history could be made (today)," Agassi Prep coach William Hopkins said. "We achieved that goal to get to state, and we want that ring."

Yerington (18-8) opened the second half on a 9-0 run capped by Tyler Peeples' put-back to take a 36-34 lead.

But Jackson drilled a 3-pointer from the right wing to end a 13-4 surge that left the Stars up 47-40 late in the third quarter. Agassi Prep never lost momentum.

"(Jackson) was huge to put the team on his back," Hopkins said. "He got a couple baskets and made the team relax. From there, we just played solid defense."

Agassi Prep dominated inside, keyed by center Anson Williams' 16 points and six rebounds and forward Quincy Brown's nine points and seven rebounds.

For players such as Williams and Brown, who both played in the Stars' 81-78 loss to Needles in the 2A title game two years ago, today's state final is a chance to come full circle.

"I think it's wonderful for the school," Hopkins said. "I hope they come to play like they do in practice. I'm looking for them to put a ring on. If they do what we ask them to, they can win it."

Taran Williams led Yerington with 21 points, and Peeples tallied 13 points and six rebounds for the Lions.

■ Incline 67, Needles 65 -- Bobby Thoms' put-back of Matt Corneil's missed 3-pointer as time expired gave the Highlanders the win over the Mustangs.

Incline outscored Needles 30-20 in the fourth quarter.

Patrick Howe led Incline with 21 points. Thoms added 17 points, and Patrick Murray scored 14 for the Highlanders.

Ryan Andrews led Needles with 19 points. Michael Hills (17), Lewis Larrabee (12) and Aaron Burns (10) also scored in double figures for the Mustangs.

GIRLS

■ White Pine 41, Needles 40 -- The Needles girls team appeared to have completed a memorable rally to reach the Class 2A state title game.

Seconds later, the Mustangs' season was over.

Alex Hall drained a 3-pointer from the right wing at the final buzzer to give White Pine a dramatic semifinal victory.

Hall's heroics came after Needles' Gena Chavira grabbed a steal and fed a wide-open Holly Laswell for a transition layup that gave the Mustangs a 40-38 lead with less than 10 seconds left.

But after a quick inbounds pass, the Bobcats found Hall open on the wing for the decisive shot, and the senior forward hit nothing but net.

"It's tough. Our girls were emotional after the game," Needles coach Manuel Calderon said. "We wanted to get a little more pressure on their shot outside, but (Hall) got a tremendous look at the basket. Big-time players make big-time shots, and she got the job done."

White Pine (20-9), the North's No. 2 seed, advanced to meet Northern top-seed Pershing County (25-2) in the title game at 2:30 p.m. today at Orleans Arena.

Hall finished with 20 points, including all nine of White Pine's points in the fourth quarter. Her heroics foiled Needles' comeback from a 26-12 deficit early in the third quarter.

Chavira made two of three free throws to give Needles a 37-34 lead with 1:54 remaining, but the Mustangs (25-4) couldn't hold on.

Chavira, a senior forward, scored 28 points.

■ Pershing County 59, Lincoln County 37 -- Sarita Jo Condie scored nine of her 16 points in the first quarter as the Mustangs built an 18-6 lead on their way to an easy win over the Lynx.

Grace Moreira added 15 points for Pershing County, and teammate Alex Graham supplied 13 points, 10 rebounds and three assists.

Senior post Melanie Florence led the Lynx with 27 points, nine rebounds and two steals.

Contact reporter Tristan Aird at taird@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-5203.