Walker’s record performance helps Lynx race to title game

RENO -- Dantley Walker poured in 43 points and Eric Rippetoe had 35 points and 11 rebounds Friday as Lincoln County raced past Rite of Passage 100-83 in a Class 2A boys state basketball semifinal at UNR's Lawlor Events Center.

Walker broke the 2A state tournament record for points in a game that he set at 36 in 2008 and led the Lynx (25-4) into the title game, where they will face Incline at 8:20 tonight.

All seven of his 3-pointers came in the first half, when he scored 29 points.

■ Incline 71, Needles (Calif.) 60 -- Josh Dykstra scored 25 points to lead the Highlanders (25-3) past the Mustangs.

Michael Hills led Needles (17-9) with 16 points, and Anthony Ramos and Andrew Hooper scored 13 apiece.

GIRLS

Pershing County built a 15-point lead entering the fourth quarter and held on to end Needles' season with a 70-61 win in a state semifinal at UNR's Lawlor Events Center.

The only losses for the Mustangs (26-2) came in the 2A Southern League final and Friday.

Pershing County (27-2) will face Battle Mountain at 6:40 tonight for the championship.

Alex Chandler led Needles with 29 points.

■ Battle Mountain 50, Lincoln County 43 -- The Longhorns used a 12-4 fourth-quarter run to pull away and eliminate the Lynx (21-8).

Jordan Waugh led Battle Mountain with 20 points.

Marissa Smerek paced Lincoln County with 16 points. Melanie Florence scored 11 for the Lynx.