RENO — Incline's goal to start the season was so obvious, it went without saying. So they didn't even say it.

“We never really talk about winning state,” Incline coach Schreiber said in early December, back when the Highlanders were 4-0 coming off a 63-55 win at 4A South Tahoe.

“Our goal is, we want to win every game that we play — which is obvious for any team — but our big goal right now is we want to win our last game. If you want to call that a state championship, you can call that a state championship. But that's our goal.”

Call it a state championship. It's official. The Highlanders earned every bit of it, then savored the taste with an extended celebration spread across the court at Lawlor Events Center. Hugs were exchanged and players bounded with joy as they released their pent-up mirth.

The Highlanders won their last game, 71-64, against Lincoln County, and 25 games before that. They finished 26-3 overall, clobbering many an opponent along the way — big schools and small. They went 3-1 against the 4A, 6-0 against the 3A — including a 69-52 rout against Sparks, the 3A state champs — and 15-1 against the 2A.

The scintillating season begs the question: Is this the best team Schreiber has ever coached in his 14 years at the helm?

Schreiber paused for a moment. “Yes,” he said with conviction. “I think they really pulled it together. And I think it's hard to get to that point.”

So what made these Highlanders such a potent group?

“Guts,” Schreiber said without pause, adding that this year's team also boasted incredible talent and depth. “When you've got as many kids as I've got on that team who can give time, it just really trickles back. When we practice, it's not like we've got five really good kids and five kids who can't really play. I've got a whole team that's killing each other in practice to get on the floor.”

Asked about his proudest moment during the season, Schreiber said it came in the state championship game, when his players displayed a true passion for the game, both from the bench and on the court.

Near the end of regulation, with Incline leading but not yet assured of victory, senior Micha Corneil fouled out with 18 points. Instead of sulking from the end of the bench, one of the team's senior leaders hollered encouragement to his teammates on the court, who still had an important job to finish. It illustrated the type of passion Schreiber preaches.

“That may have been my proudest moment,” Schreiber said, “just how they pulled together and finished what they started.”

Awarded accordingly

While the Highlanders earned the school's first basketball state title in 20 years, their players' individual efforts did not go unnoticed by Northern 2A coaches.

Seniors Michael Ceragioli and Sam Witt were voted Co-Players of the Year, while seniors Josh Dykstra and Corneil received first team All-League recognition, Jason Hillman was voted to the All-League second team and Patrick Howe made honorable mention.

For Ceragioli, Saturday's state title marked his second this school year, as he also was a key member of the state champion Incline soccer team.

“It's great,” Ceragioli said of his two state titles. “Both are equally exciting.”

Incline Northern 2A All-League selections Co-Players of the Year: Michael Ceragioli, Sam Witt First Team: Micha Corneil, Josh Dykstra Second Team: Jason Hillman Honorable Mention: Patrick Howe