Wed March 04, 2026

By Lance Hawley

Blue Jays Advance to Elite Eight with Win Over Brinkley
Stamps- Nevada is fresh off a regional title and entered this week's State Tournament as a one-seed, drawing four-seed Brinkley. The first quarter was a high-scoring one, with a lot of back and forth between the two, but it was Nevada who pulled away in the second half, taking an 11-point lead into the break after Kobe Hughey knocked down a buzzer beating three before halftime. 

The second half was more of the same, Nevada would extend the lead a bit more, but Brinkley continued fighting, using their size and length to force a couple of turnovers and keep the game close, but Nevada withstood the storm, winning the game, 78-65. "We came in knowing it was going to be a tough game. We just had to grind out that win," Kobe Hughey said. 

Monti Mixon led the way for Nevada with 20 points and 12 rebounds, as he played with a lot of energy and was especially aggressive in transition for the Jays. "We had to come in ready to play, its win or go home," he said.

Senior guard Keyonte Wingfield played big for Nevada, scoring 16 points, dishing out seven assists, and had some key rebounds. Kobe Hughey scored 15 points for Nevada, as he continues to get big time buckets. Rico Aparicio and Taco Roberson each scored eight, Hurk Burns scored six, and Tre King had ive points. 

Coach Eddie Beck said after the game, "First half, we struggled keeping them out of the lane. We adjusted and did our job. It's the state tournament and every team is there for a reason. Feels great to get a win." 

Photos Courtesy of Josie Carlton

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