Wave faces crucial tests

It is easy to overlook a downtrodden team with no playoff aspirations and focus on a contender.

In doing so, the Fallon boys basketball would put their playoff lives in serious jeopardy.

However, the Greenwave already answered the bell once before and shoots to repeat last weekend’s performance in a 7:30 p.m. tip today at home against Dayton (2-11 league, 4-15 overall) on Senior Night in a Northern Division I-A matchup.

The Wave (7-5, 10-11) also visits second-place Lowry (10-2, 15-7) at 2 p.m. Saturday in a huge game.

“We can never overlook Dayton … because they always seem to play their best basketball against us,” Fallon coach Brad Barton said. “We have to take care of them first and then prepare for Lowry. We’ve had great practices.”

Adding to Fallon’s concerns is the health of junior point guard Connor Richardson, who suffered a mild hand fracture against Fernley on Jan. 27, and center Braxton Hunter, who injured his ankle during practice this week.

Even without Richardson and possibly Hunter, today’s game is a must-win as is Saturday’s showdown against the Buckaroos, with or without the two starters.

Although Fallon’s playoff hopes may not be devastating, Barton said the mindset is to win every game and leave no doubt.

“It’s something we have to deal with,” Barton said of the injuries.

Minus its No. 2 scoring threat, however, Fallon leans on its leader, Jeff Evett, who leads the league in scoring with 16.5 points per game. In addition, Fallon dropped Truckee last week without Richardson giving the team confidence it can win without one its best players.

The Wave’s bench — Brandon Tuner, David Ford and Sean and Taylen Cordes — will see plenty of action and perhaps determine today and Saturday’s outcome.

“The guys on the bench have a lot of confidence and we have a lot of confidence in them,” Barton added. “When we go down the bench we feel like we don’t lose very much.”

Even though Evett is the center of every team’s game plan, Fallon is at its best when others play off the attention Evett receives.

The strategy will be enhanced without the presence of Richardson and Hunter, who is a catalyst on the boards and defense.

Guards Ettore Neiderauer and Dylan Ridenour each shown they can score in addition to junior forward Clay Davison, giving Fallon a more balanced attack.

It will be needed, especially against Lowry, who slipped past the Wave, 44-40, on Jan. 10. The Buckaroos, along with Elko (12-0, 19-2) have already clinched a playoff bid.

Davison’s role has been altered in the past weeks as the 6-foot-6 forward sees more action in the post than on the wing. Down low he can use his height advantage, ball handling and passing skills to score or find the open man.

“We recognized we need him playing more of a down low position,” Barton said of Davison. “He’s tall and long ... and he usually goes up and gets it. The other good news about him is he can see the floor real well and makes good passes out of that.”

A weekend sweep would all but punch the Wave’s postseason ticket, although Fallon ends the season on Feb. 14 at South Tahoe.

A loss, coupled with a South Tahoe victory, would put Fallon tied with the Vikings for the fourth seed, possibly making their regular season finale the tiebreaker.

South Tahoe finishes the year with games against Fernley (3-9, 8-12) on Saturday, Sparks (3-9, 7-13) and Fallon.