Family legacy: Pyramid Lake girls seek first Nevada state basketball title in 40 years

After rolling through league play, the Pyramid Lake girls basketball team finally hit a wall.

Lakers coach Ray Charles is hoping they can quickly climb over that wall as the state basketball tournament begins Thursday for the 1A League.

Pyramid Lake went 22-4 overall, 9-0 in league play this season before losing in the Northern 1A-West regional championship, 62-54, this past Saturday to Coleville.

"We re-grouped. We talked about it. Sometimes you get beat," Charles told the RGJ. "It stings. We have to re-focus. They came to practice with a great mindset (Monday). We're ready to move forward."

Pyramid Lake opens the state quarterfinals against Eureka at 3:40 p.m. Thursday at Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas as the school tries for its second-ever state title.

In non-league play this season, the Lakers had wins against multiple 5A schools, including Spanish Springs, Damonte Ranch, Reno and Reed, as well as North Valleys (3A).

In league play, meanwhile, Pyramid Lake was winning by 35-plus points every game.

Charles said those large margins meant the team didn't face much adversity during the season.

As the Lakers try to win a second state title this weekend, they're calling on the previous Pyramid Lake team to win it all 40 years ago for inspiration.

Two of the current players, sisters Alizah Lara (junior) and Olivia Lara (freshman), both starters, have a grandmother who was on that 1981-82 championship team, Linda Ely.

"We had a celebration on Senior Night and it was pretty special to see that," Charles said. "From 40 years ago, and then here we are with some of her granddaughters and her family. It was special for her and her family."

He said many of the current Lakers are young — including three freshmen as starters, along with junior and a sophomore.

Charles said if he can keep the team together, the Lakers should be strong for the next several seasons as well.

Freshman Kaitlin Mandell leads the team in scoring at 12.5 points per game.

All the players are Native American, as is the coaching staff. Charles himself belongs to a tribe from California.

"It's something pretty special for our tribal community," Charles said. "Our support is phenomenal. Sierra Lutheran's gym (site of last weekend's Regional tournament) was packed with our fans, and also having the boys be so successful, it was just a neat environment.

"Even though we took a little hit (in the title game), we're going to re-group and see what happens."

The Pyramid Lake boys, meanwhile, won the 1A-West Regional, beating Sage Ridge, 45-43, in overtime in the championship last Saturday.

The Lakers open state against Spring Mountain at 5:40 p.m. Thursday at Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas.

Senior Angel Orozco leads the Lakers in scoring (10.4 points per game) and rebounding (9.7).

After Thursdays quarterfinals, the boys and girls semifinals take place Friday at Chaparral High School in Las Vegas. The state championships take place Saturday back at Cox Pavilion — girls at 1:40 p.m., boys at 3:30 p.m.

Tickets to this weekend's games are $12 for adults, $5 for students (high school age and younger) and free for those 8 and under.

Tickets are good for all games at a site on the given day. They are available through HomeTown Ticketing or by visiting niaa.com/tickets.

All NIAA postseason games will be filmed and streamed live through the NFHS Network, including championship games.

Jim Krajewski covers high school and youth sports for the Reno Gazette Journal. Follow him on Twitter @RGJPreps. Support his work by subscribing to RGJ.com.