Fernley Takes Home 3A Northern Region Hardware

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Spring Creek and Fernley had a competitive game on Saturday at Wooster High School for the NIAA 3A Northern Region Championship. <br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Spring Creek Spartans came out firing, and it looked as though it could be their day with the way shots were falling. But the No. 1 seed Vaqueros stayed calm and entered the second quarter with a 15-14 lead after [player_tooltip player_id='2356155' first='Sheldon' last='Jacobson'] capped off the period with a triple.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the second quarter, both offenses sputtered a bit, and Fernley held onto a 25-20 lead going into the break. The pace picked up in the third, and it was evident neither team wanted to lose this one, based on the rising pressure and intensity in the gym. With some back and forth action, the Vaqueros kept the Spartans at arm's length and went into the final quarter up 37-31.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fernley's offense didn't slow down in the fourth, adding another 14 points. Although the Spartans scored 10 of their own, they didn't do enough to close the gap.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Final Score - </em></strong>Fernley 51 vs Spring Creek 40</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both teams will be in the State Semifinals on Friday, which are taking place at Fernley.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Vaqueros will take on Virgin Valley at 4:40 PM. And Spring Creek will face The Meadows School at 8 PM.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Leeland Ketelaar","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'6u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77245","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Fernley ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69936512eee39"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Leeland Ketelaar showcased his versatility on both ends of the court in the 3A Northern Region Championship. On offense, he hit a jumper, a few free throws, and dropped in a couple of layups. On defense, Ketelaar was staying active. Diving on the floor, blocking a shot or two, and he came up with a steal. All in all, I liked how he played and his contributions were vital.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stats - 9 Points </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1768793"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69936512eef66"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Fernley's senior shooting guard, Bryce Dunagen-Stephens, made an impact with his three-point shooting, passing, and defense against Spring Creek. On the offensive end, he knocked down a pair of triples and added a mid-range jumper. Defensively, he used his athleticism and instincts to stay in front of his man and contest shots effectively.<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stats - 10 Points </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3188415"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69936512ef036"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='3188415' first='Michael' last='Fitzgerald'] stepped up in a big way for the Vaqueros on Saturday. In the first half, he drained a 3 and scored by getting out in transition. Then in the second half, he knocked down two more triples and went 3-for-4 from the charity stripe. Beyond his scoring, he was hustling on defense and came away with two steals. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stats - 14 Points </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2356155"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69936512ef0f8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2356155' first='Sheldon' last='Jacobson'] splashed in a corner three to end the first quarter, helping the Vaqueros take a 15-14 lead into the second. Later on, he dropped in a couple more quality buckets. Defensively, he gave strong effort throughout and made life difficult for the Spring Creek guards by not giving them much breathing room and he was contesting shots.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stats - 7 Points </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2812150"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69936512ef193"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Snowdon Bear Williams played with hunger and determination in the championship matchup with Fernley. He crashed the offensive glass and scored on multiple second-chance opportunities. He also hit a smooth hook shot from close range, 3 and dished out a couple of assists. On defense, Williams flew around and was disruptive at times. While Spring Creek didn't come away with the win, he was certainly a standout.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Stats - 9 Points <br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Nolen Francis ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77244","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Spring Creek ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69936512ef2d0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Nolen Francis notably collected three steals on defense for the Spartans. He waited for the right moment to go for the swipe, and the Fernley players didn't see it coming. He also made his presence felt on offense, knocking down two triples and made some tough finishes. Overall, he was fairly dynamic and will be a player to keep an eye on moving forward.<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stats - 12 Points </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Gabriel Zubiria","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'1u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77244","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Spring Creek ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69936512ef3fe"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Gabriel Zubiria helped Spring Creek keep it close in the first half. He buried two shots from the perimeter, giving his teammates a noticeable spark. He finished the game as the Spartans' third-leading scorer with seven points.<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->