2A Boys: Democracy Prep uses balanced attack to cruise into final

SPARKS — There’s only one basketball to go around in a game.

But Democracy Prep’s players shared it well Friday.

Daniel Plumer led a balanced attack with 17 points, and the Blue Knights came one step closer to winning their fourth state title in five years with a 74-52 victory over Pershing County in a Class 2A boys basketball semifinal at Sparks High.

Democracy Prep (28-3) will meet Battle Mountain (26-5) for the state title at 8:10 p.m. Saturday at UNR’s Lawlor Events Center.

The best example of Democracy Prep’s balance came during the second quarter when six players scored at least two points during a 16-2 run. The run allowed the Blue Knights to extend their lead to 38-19, and they weren’t seriously threatened the rest of the way.

Chancellor Johnson added 12 points, and Akeemis Williams scored 11 for Democracy Prep, which is hoping to repeat as 2A champions. Najeeb Muhammad had 10 points, Jared Holmes nine and Miles Mixon eight for the Blue Knights.

Lane Condie led Pershing County (24-5) with 16 points, and teammate Derek Sandusky scored 12.

Battle Mountain 68, Needles 67 — Gabe Naveran hit a tie-breaking free throw with less than a minute to play in the second overtime to lift the Longhorns past the Mustangs in the other semifinal.

Battle Mountain scored all six of its points in the second overtime from the free-throw line after extending the game on Mason Fuller’s tying 3-pointer near the end of the first overtime.

Miles Piramide had 18 points to lead Battle Mountain, which made nine 3-pointers. Reese Artz added 13 points for the Longhorns.

Trey Tsosie and Irving Juarez each had 16 points to pace Needles (20-10).

Jayden Yeager added 12 points, and Dillon Darrow and Gillman Jenkins each scored 11 for the Mustangs.