Girls basketball: Vaqueros playing in Idaho Tournament

Robert Perea, The Fernley Reporter

Having already collected five league wins before the holiday break, the Fernley High School girls basketball team is starting the new year in Idaho.

The Vaqueros went into the break with three consecutive wins over North Valleys, Spring Creek and Elko.

Thursday they ran their overall record to 9-0 with a 58-56 win over Boise’s Bishop Kelly, rallying from a 7-point deficit by outscoring the Knights 21-12 in the fourth quarter.

Before going to the holiday break, the Vaqueros won three straight games, beating North Valley’s 54-14 on Dec. 19, Spring Creek 71-60 on Dec. 20 and Elko 76-53 on Dec. 21.

Against North Valleys, Karli Burns led the Vaqueros with 16 points, while Celeste Condie added 11.

Fernley led 16-7 after a quarter, then went to half with a 44-9 lead, triggering a running clock for the second half.

At Spring Creek, the Vaqueros took control of a close game in the fourth quarter. They trailed 46-42 going to the fourth quarter, then exploded for 29 points. Condie and Jaiden Sullivan each scored nine points in the fourth quarter, with Sullivan making 9-of-10 free throws in the period. In all, the Vaqueros made 18-of-22 foul shots in the fourth quarter.

Sullivan finished with 15 points to lead the Vaqueros, with plenty of help. Willow Jacobson scored 13, Condie had 12, Burns pitched in with 11 and Bunyard was the fifth player with double figures with 10.

Against Elko, Burns scored 22 and Jacobson had 20, Sullivan added 14 and Bunyard had 12.

The Vaqueros again finished strong, turning an 11-point lead after three quarters into the 76-53 final.

“Overall the girls ls persevered and kept battling,” coach Tom Kingston said. “It was really fun to watch.”