Spartans’ defense stifles Centennial

Cimarron-Memorial's boys basketball team walked off the floor at Mojave High on Saturday weary and bloodied -- and in the playoffs.

The Spartans held Centennial scoreless for more than seven minutes late in the game on the way to a 51-47 victory to earn the final berth into the Sunset Region tournament, which begins on Monday.

Cimarron took the lead for good on Dale Puckett's 3-pointer with 4:14 left. Arthur Baker's basket with 2:40 to go capped a 13-0 run that extended the Spartans lead to 46-39.

Centennial led 39-31 before Cimarron's Brayden Quackenbush took an elbow from Josh Hardy that opened a gash on Quackenbush's cheek with 27.9 seconds to go in the third quarter.

Hardy was whistled for a foul and a technical on the play, and Tyler Tuliau's two free throws started the 13-0 Cimarron run.

Centennial missed its first eight field goals and first four free throws of the fourth quarter. Matt Holley finally hit a 3-pointer with 1:55 to go to cut the lead to 46-42.

The Bulldogs got as close as 48-46 on a steal and layup by Anil Kundanani with 1:16 left.

Baker led Cimarron with 14 points, and Tuliau had 12 points and 14 rebounds. Adam Young led Centennial with 10 points and eight boards.

Cimarron had to beat Centennial 57-52 on Friday to force Saturday's playoff game.

The Spartans play at second-ranked Bishop Gorman at 6:30 p.m. Monday in the Sunset quarterfinals.

• Lincoln County 68, The Meadows 67 -- At The Meadows, Dantley Walker's 3-pointer at the buzzer lifted the Lynx.

Walker finished with 26 points. Jon Chino had 23 points and Graham Hilts 18 for the Mustangs.

• Indian Springs 62, Round Mountain 31 -- At Indian Springs, Forrest Kelly had 20 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Thunderbirds.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

• Round Mountain 47, Indian Springs 39 -- At Indian Springs, Bianca Ramirez scored 13 points to lift the Knights.

Nohea Pinkerton paced the Thunderbirds with 20 points.

WRESTLING

• CLASS 3A -- James Chapman won the 145-pound title, and Zach Weldon was first at 171 to lead Pahrump Valley to the state title at Overton.

The Trojans also had seven second-place finishers to finish with 1911/2 points. Spring Creek was second at 1571/2.

Virgin Valley's Cody Cannon was the area's other champion, taking the 103-pound title.

• CLASS 2A -- Battle Mountain had six wrestlers take individual titles at Laughlin on the way to its eighth straight state championship.

The Meadows' Patrick Kenny won the 171-pound title, and Indian Springs' Roger Atchley (152) and Derek Oliver (160) also won individual crowns.