Fernley High School’s new gymnasium was designed to create an environment worthy of a state championship game, and this weekend it gets that chance, as the 3A State Basketball Tournament comes to town.
The gym will itself play a starring role, hosting teams from Spring Creek, The Meadows, Virgin Valley, Boulder City, Fallon and both the Fernley boys and girls teams.
The tournament begins Friday, with Fernley facing Virgin Valley in a girls and boys doubleheader, with the girls starting at 3 p.m. and the boys at 4:40 p.m. At 6:20 p.m., Fallon will play Boulder City, and in the nightcap at 8 p.m., The Meadows will take on Spring Creek.
The girls championship game will be Saturday at noon, followed by the boys at 2 p.m.
Fernley High School Athletic Director Paul Sullivan said the new gymnasium itself will play a starring role in the championship atmosphere.
“Designed with both athlete performance and fan experience in mind, the facility creates an environment worthy of a state title game,” he said.
Fernley girls coach Ralph Dunn said the venue will give the tournament an energy that larger arenas can’t match.
“Our facility is such a nice place and what we did last year in hosting the regional finals was a great atmosphere,” he said. “The crowds are closer to the action and the environment can get loud. It’s something the participants will remember.”
Sullivan said the event is also a showcase for the community. Hosting the state tournament, he said, reflects the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association’s confidence in the school’s facilities and its ability to deliver a first-class championship experience.
“For many visitors, this event will serve as their first impression of our community,” Sullivan said. “That makes the tournament not only a competition, but a showcase, an opportunity to demonstrate our hospitality, school spirit and civic pride.”
Local businesses have already begun preparing for the influx of guests, with restaurants offering discounts for tournament teams. Other local supporters helped by providing teams, workers and volunteers with T-shirts designed and created by Solidity Graphics. Sullivan said community volunteers, the Fernley High booster club and student groups are working behind the scenes to ensure the event runs smoothly.
Fernley boys coach Cade Knutson admitted after last Saturday’s regional championship win over Spring Creek that he felt pressure to make sure the Vaqueros qualified for the tournament.
“We didn't talk about it a lot amongst our players,” Knutson said, “but there's a little bit of stress when you're hosting that. Gosh dang, we better be there.”
Both Dunn and Knutson said they’re looking forward to playing in front of their home fans.
“From my perspective, we need everybody there with both our boys and girls team hosting a state tournament,” Knutson said. “This is a special opportunity for our community to come out and show support and for our students to show support. I mean, there's no reason that we shouldn't have the bulk of the crowd next Friday.”
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