Sophomore powers Pershing County to first title

Sophomore Sarita Jo Condie had 19 points, 12 rebounds and four assists to lead Pershing County to a 67-47 victory over White Pine for the Class 2A girls state championship Saturday at Orleans Arena.

The girls basketball title was the first in school history.

"It means everything," Pershing County coach Steve Cerini said. "My kids deserve this. They work hard for this. It's 100 percent about our kids. They're the ones that earned this."

The Mustangs (26-2) used a 6-0 second-quarter run to push their lead to eight points, and White Pine didn't get closer than five points the rest of the way.

The Bobcats' chance for a comeback took a major hit when Alex Hall and Chelsie Heggie fouled out in the third quarter. Hall and Heggie had combined to score 16 of White Pine's 23 first-half points, but neither scored in the second half.

Hall fouled out on a charge with 2:09 to go in the third, and Heggie picked up her fifth foul with 33.8 seconds left in the quarter.

Pershing County's Grace Moreira hit a 3-pointer immediately after each player was disqualified, with the second pushing the Mustangs' lead to 51-31.

Moreira hit four 3-pointers and finished with 16 points, and Sarah Brinkerhoff had 11 points and 11 rebounds for Pershing County.

Sami Scott led White Pine (20-10) with 11 points.

Contact prep sports editor Damon Seiters at dseiters@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-4587.