Staff Report
Churchill County High School’s girls varsity basketball team captured the 3A Northern regional championship Saturday, Feb. 14, with a decisive 58-38 win over Fernley in the playoff finals. The Lady Greenwave, now the No. 1 seed from the North, will advance to face Boulder City in the State Tournament in Fernley on Friday at 6:20 p.m. The championship capped a season marked by remarkable performances, resilience, and teamwork, as Lady Greenwave solidified its status as the region’s top contender.
The win marks the second consecutive season that the Lady Greenwave have defeated Fernley in the title game, underscoring their sustained dominance in Northern Nevada high school basketball. Churchill County’s postseason journey began with a commanding 68-14 victory in the semifinals over South Tahoe on Friday, Feb. 13. The Greenwave seized control early in that matchup, building a comfortable lead by halftime and holding South Tahoe to just 14 points. The playoff run demonstrated not only the team’s offensive prowess but also its disciplined defense and depth across the roster. Pictured above, Lady Greenwave’s Karlie Simper drives the ball against Fernley’s defense during the 3A Northern regional championship game Saturday, Feb. 14, in Fernley.
During the regular season, Fernley and Fallon finished tied for first place in the Northern 3A Division, each with a 9-1 record. Fernley secured the top spot via tiebreaker, determined by points differential in head-to-head meetings. Expectations were high heading into the championship, with Fernley hoping to upset the favorites. Those hopes were dashed as Lady Greenwave’s offense and defense proved insurmountable.
The championship game was tightly contested early, with the score knotted at 10-10 after the first quarter. Fernley briefly took the lead with a three-pointer from Justice Martell-Artiaga just 11 seconds into the second quarter. However, Fallon responded with a surge, as Amillya Bishop sparked a 12-0 run, and the Lady Greenwave defense held Fernley scoreless for more than five minutes. Kortnie Simper contributed seven points in the second-quarter run and opened the third quarter with a three-pointer, pushing Lady Greenwave’s lead to 39-19. Fernley was unable to narrow the gap to fewer than 16 points for the remainder of the game.
Throughout the playoffs, Churchill County benefitted from standout contributions across the roster, with players stepping up in crucial moments. Their balanced attack, aggressive defense, and unwavering focus were hallmarks of the team’s approach, and the coaching staff emphasized discipline and preparation. The Lady Greenwave now celebrate a season of excellence, finishing atop the 3A Northern division and earning the right to compete for the state championship.
The Greenwave will face Boulder City, the No. 2 seed from the South, at 6:20 p.m. Friday in the 3A State Tournament in Fernley. North No. 2 seed Fernley will face Southern champion Virgin Valley in the other semifinal at 3 p.m. Friday, and the winners will play for the state championship at noon Saturday. The upcoming matchups promise to deliver exciting basketball as teams vie for the coveted state crown.
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