By Weston Irons Posted March 2, 2016
It was a season of mostly ups and downs for the varsity boy’s basketball team this year. The Bucks continued their dominance in the Division 1-A North losing only two league games to undefeated Elko. Unfortunately, the Bucks season came to an end in the regional playoffs when they were eliminated by the South Tahoe Vikings in a thrilling 44-41 contest. As a result, the Buckaroos missed the State tournament for the first time in several years.
But the final game of the season shouldn’t detract from the phenomenal season the Bucks had. After a rocky start, the team finished the season with a 17-9 overall record and a 14-2 record in the league. Many players on the team are expected to receive all-conference, all-league, and all-state honors.
Junior Jacob Hernandez is a bit disappointed to be eliminated and not make the journey to state but is proud of the season the Bucks have sculpted.
“We just didn’t come out to play the way we knew we needed to and fell short. But as for the whole season, we really got close as a team and had a lot of chemistry on the court. [It was] an amazing season for a team that I consider family now,” said Hernandez.
Senior captain Omar Guerrero was crushed by the defeat but has accepted it and has no regrets about the season. Guerrero is grateful to have spent a great four years playing basketball for Lowry, and thanks the community who supports the school.
“It was my first game back from my ankle sprain and I didn’t want it to be my last so I came out with a lot on my mind,” said Guerrero. “South Tahoe wanted it just as bad as us. It was back and forth the whole way. Some guys did their jobs and others didn’t come through. In the end, I wish I could’ve come through for my team and made a couple of last shots. The loss hasn’t left my mind and it was one of the saddest moments to hear that buzzer sound and see the opponent with more points on the board. Seeing the looks of all the parents and people who were cheering us on made me feel terrible. In the locker room, we had a lot of emotion but the best way to wrap it up is we had a special year with high hopes, but that’s basketball. We came out of the locker room surrounding us. Everyone was so nice and the love Winnemucca has for us is amazing.”
Lowry has really built a great reputation for good basketball and this year only solidified that reputation. The Bucks will return next year better than ever and will be in the hunt for that next State Championship.
