01/29/2025
Elko Daily Free Press In its first road action against 3A North-East opponents, the Spring Creek boys basketball team rolled to 7-0 in league play.
On Friday, the Spartans overcame a slow start and gradually pulled away from Lowry for a 69-50 victory.
Spring Creek followed with its second blasting of Fallon, crushing the Greenwave by 26 points — adding to a 30-point, 62-32 home victory — running away with an 80-54 road win.
After trailing 15-14 by the end of the first quarter, the Spartans built a 33-26 lead by halftime with a 19-11 streak in the second period.
In the third, Spring Creek pushed its advantage to 17 with a 21-11 burst for a 54-37 advantage as the game went to the fourth.
Down the stretch, the Spartans opened the gap even farther with a 15-13 edge for a 69-50 victory over the Buckaroos.
Sophomore Scott Bylund led all scorers with 23 points and nailed four 3s.
Senior Djrevan Demick broke out of his shooting slump and drained four triples on his way to 14 points.
Senior Tayden Francis served as Spring Creek’s third player in double digits with 13 points.
Lowry also finished with a trio of double-figure scorers; senior Matthew Casalez leading the way with 12 points and two 3s — sophomore Byron Jimenez (two 3s) and senior Jaden Jimenez each closing with 10 points.
For the Spartans, sophomore Snowdon Williams neared double digits with eight points.
Junior Jovanny Cuevas flirted with double figures on eight points for the Bucks.
Spring Creek senior Lelanyd Bautista added seven points, and the Spartans’ offense was rounded out with two points apiece for seniors Brady Smith and Kenny Smith.
Lowry’s scoring was capped with five points by senior Kayd Garner, a three for senior Conner Nelson and a pair of free throws from junior Brent Kenison.
Like in the first contest against the Greenwave — in which the Spartans led 22-4 after the first quarter — Spring Creek gut punched Fallon early once again and opened a 19-5 lead by the end of the opening frame.
But, the Wave rallied in the second quarter for a 19-18 run and trailed 37-24 at the break.
In the third, the Spartans exploded for a frame-best 29 points and gave up 17 — extending to a 25-point lead at 66-41.
Spring Creek closed the show on a 14-13 edge in the fourth and ran away with an 80-54 victory, outscoring the Wave by 56 points across the two meetings.
The Spartans’ attack was balanced across the board, connecting on nine 3s for the second-consecutive game — five players finishing in double figures.
Bylund paced all scorers with 19 points and five 3s, and Williams posted a career-high 17 points.
For Fallon, sophomore Calin Anderson dropped a team-high 15 points.
Spring Creek senior Justin Miner hit two 3s and racked up a career-best 13 points, Francis finished with 12 points and Demick downed two 3s and reached double digits with 10 points.
The Wave gained nine points apiece from juniors Barry Mitchell and Wyatt Peek.
The Spartans’ scoring was capped with seven points for Brady Smith and two by Bautista.
Fallon sophomore Caleb Edgmon scored six points, senior Trevor Hyde and junior Bransyn Wright tacked on four each and senior Kylan Sorenson splashed a three.
The offense for the Wave was rounded out with two points apiece for seniors Dru MacKay and Colin Shishido.
The Spartans (16-5 overall, 7-0 in league) will play another set of road games at 7:30 p.m. Friday, in Dayton, and at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, in Fernley.
