And then basketball season was over.
We saw some of the expected programs rise to the top, a few upsets, a dark horse complete a run to the regional title, and plenty of drama.
The rankings this season have featured the top five (or six) teams, but with the 2016-17 campaign now in the rear view, here’s how all 12 4A North teams stacked up.
To view how the rankings progressed over the course of the season, click here.
1. Reno Huskies (22-7)
Reno has become the premier program in Northern Nevada, and it’s not really up for debate.
The Huskies have advanced to three of the last four regional title games, winning two (2014 and this year). Over the same time span, Carson has appeared in the regional title game twice, nobody else has been there more than once.
2. Spanish Springs Cougars (23-5)
Spanish Springs played arguably its worst game of the season in the semifinals against Bishop Manogue. Still, it took a heave in the final seconds to eliminate the Cougs.
Would have. Could have. Should have.
3. Galena Grizzlies (22-6)
One forgettable quarter of basketball ended the Grizzlies’ title hopes in the semifinals.
Galena led Reno 41-29 going to the fourth quarter against Reno, only to get outscored 18-5 over the final eight minutes.
4. Bishop Manogue Miners (19-10)
The Miners went a combined 1-4 against Galena, Carson (the two other teams in the top tier of the Sierra League) and Spanish Springs (High Desert League champ) in regional play.
Still, they found a way to advance to the regional title game for the first time in several years.
5. Carson Senators (11-13)
A blown 41-28 fourth-quarter lead at Douglas in the regular-season finale cost the Senators a home playoff game and shook up the entire 4A North tournament
Had Carson held on against Douglas, Bishop Manogue would’ve opened the postseason at Reno.
The Senators fell in the quarterfinals at Reno instead. Bishop Manogue and Reno later met in the title game.
6. Douglas Tigers (9-18)
Speaking of Douglas, Corey Thacker’s team certainly saved its best for last.
The Tigers won at Galena before the home comeback win over Carson. They were no match for Spanish Springs in the quarterfinals, though.
7. Reed Raiders (8-17)
The Raiders showed glimpses this year, but their lack of size was ultimately their undoing.
8. McQueen Lancers (11-14)
First-year coach Keith Crawford took over a roster that lost a massive chunk from last year’s team that advanced to the 2015-16 regional semifinals and still got to the playoffs.
9. Hug Hawks (9-17)
A strong case could have been made for first-year coach Keegan Bosier, 22, to be the HDL Coach of the Year.
He took over a team that won two games in 2015-16, and won that many against this year’s playoff teams.
10. Damonte Ranch Mustangs (4-20)
The record jumps off the page for the wrong reasons. There is an asterisk though.
Eight of the losses to playoff teams (Carson (twice), Galena, Bishop Manogue, Douglas, Reno, Spanish Springs and Reed) were by 11 points or fewer.
11. North Valleys Panthers (10-16)
Among the 16 defeats was a 20-point home loss to Damonte Ranch in December.
North Valleys swept the regular-season series from Hug.
12. Wooster Colts (2-25)
It was a rough go for the Colts, who Maxpreps.com ranked No. 37 (of 37) in Nevada’s 4A classification.
John says
The Elko Boys Basketball team has beaten Reno handily each of the past three seasons. They also beat Carson the year they went to state.
Elko has lost only one game to a Nothern Nevada opponent (regardless of classification) over the course of the last three years. They have won 6 straight Nothern Nevada championships and been to state six straight years.
So actually…. it is up for debate. Vegas papers always take into consideration teams that aren’t in the 4A when discussing southern rankings (e.g., Desert Pines, Cheyenne, Clark prior to this year).
If you or any other sports writer from Northern Nevada wants to be taken even remotely objective and or serious on such matters….maybe get better at your job. It’s not rocket science.