High School basketball: Virginia City Muckers fall in state semifinals

Cold-shooting VC

eliminated at state

LAS VEGAS — Everything that could go wrong for Virginia City did, and the result was a short stay at the NIAA Division IV State Championship.

The Muckers shot an absolutely frigid 19 percent from the field (8-for-44) and 23 percent from the line (5-for-22), and were outrebounded 43-28 in a 26-23 loss to Pahranagat Valley Friday afternoon at the Orleans Arena.

“I’ve never been involved in a game like that before,” VC coach Tom Maurer said. “We just couldn’t make a shot.”

Despite the brutal performance from the floor, the Muckers had a chance to win the game at the line, but missed front ends of 1-and-1 situations twice in the final 18 seconds.

Clint Hess led VC with 15 points. No other player had more than two points.

VC finished the year 27-4.

Vanderbilt addresses coach’s outburst

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Vanderbilt athletic director David Williams said Kevin Stallings’ outburst after the Commodores’ win at Tennessee was “unfortunate” and he will handle the issue internally.

The men’s basketball coach said he’s fine with whatever punishment the AD hands down.

“I was wrong,” Stallings said Friday.

Stallings apologized Thursday night for his “inappropriate comment” caught by television cameras as he yelled at Commodores guard Wade Baldwin IV following a 73-65 victory over Tennessee. Baldwin clapped in the face of Tennessee forward Armani Moore after the game. During postgame handshakes, replays showed Stallings appeared to shout obscenities and say that he could “kill” Baldwin.

Williams met with Stallings earlier Friday and said in a statement that both consider his “offensive and inflammatory language” toward a student-athlete inappropriate.

“We have heard from those supporting the coach’s intent and from those angered and embarrassed by his comment,” Williams said. “Coach Stallings apologized to the student-athlete after the game as well as issuing an immediate public apology.”

immediVanderbilt considers this a personnel issue and as such it will be handled internally.”