Pride of the Comstock: An Oral History of Virginia City Basketball

As we conclude the podcast we pick up the story in 2018 as Clint Hess becomes head coach and the Muckers again come ever so close to title number eighteen.

A decade after capturing the first state basketball championship in Lady Mucker history, Esmie Hess and Taylor McDowell returned to take over the girls' basketball program.  They would coach a group of talented athletes, led by Kori Johnson, on an improbable run to a second state title.

From 2009 through 2017 the Virginia City Boys' Basketball program was lead by four different coaches, three of who had previously won a Nevada State Basketball Championship.  But the quest for title number 18 would end in heartbreak, more than once.

In 2008 Todd Hess returned to the sidelines, but this time as the Virginia City Girls' Basketball Coach.  The Lady Muckers would quickly become the talk of the town and the program would rise to heights never before achieved.

Three straight years of heartbreak preceded the 2005 season for the Virginia City Muckers, including back-to-back losses to Lake Mead Christian Academy in the state semifinals.  But the senior laden squad was ready to write a new chapter in the annals Virginia City hoops.

Following the 2001 season Todd Hess stepped down as head basketball coach, leaving a talented group for the next coach.  Included among them would be a trio of brothers who would set out to bring glory back to the Comstock.

Virginia City had not reached a state championship basketball game since 1986, Todd Hess' final game as a player.  In 1999 Coach Hess would now guide the Muckers to the title game, where they would meet a longtime foe, Smith Valley.

Todd Hess graduated from Virginia City High School in 1986 having won four Nevada state basketball championships and completing his playing career with an 84-0 record.  A decade later he was named head coach, charged with leading the quest for the Muckers' 17th state title.

After four years on the outside looking in, the Virginia City Muckers were ready to again compete for a state championship.  The class of 1993 would help the program return to relevance and lay the groundwork many years of success.

With the departure of Hall of Fame coach Fred Gladding, and the end of the 93-game win streak, the Virginia City Muckers would enter a new era in 1988, striving to continue their success.  Unfortunately, the Muckers would find it difficult to rekindle that magic.

The Virginia City Muckers entered the 1987 season on a 92 game win streak and had captured five consecutive Nevada State Basketball Championships.  But 1987 would mark the end of an era, unmatched in the history of Nevada high school athletics.

The 3rd and final season of Pride of the Comstock is set to debut on April 28th.  The story will pick up in 1987 and cover the next four decades of Virginia City Basketball.

Joyce Hess has watched Virginia City Basketball for over 60 years, having seen three generations of family play Mucker hoops; her husband, her three children, and her seven grandchildren.  We visited with Joyce at her home in Virginia City.  Here is our conversation with Joyce Hess.

Shari Andreasen is the youngest daughter of Virginia City basketball legend Tom Andreasen. Shari sat down with us at the home of Fred Andreasen, Tom's brother, and shared memories of her father.  Here is our conversation with Shari Andreasen.

Fred Gladding is arguably the most significant figure in the history of Virginia City Basketball, having played on three state championship teams as well as coaching five title teams.  Fred is also a member of the NIAA Hall of Fame.  Here is our conversation with Fred Gladding.  

Todd Hess  captured four state championships at Virginia City High School and would leave with a perfect career record of 84-0.  After graduating from the University of Nevada-Reno he would return home for a 30 year career in education.  Todd would serve as teacher, coach, athletic director, principal, and superintendent over those three decades.  He would have tenures as both the boys and girls b...

Chris O'Brien arrived at Virginia City High School at the start of 10th grade, with limited basketball experience.  He would blossom into an all-league player and be part of state championship teams in 1985 and 1986.  Here is our conversation with Chris O'Brien.

Ted Martinez was a member of two state championship teams at Virginia City High School, 1985 and 1986.  He would return to the Comstock to teach and coach in Storey County before retiring in 2023.  Here is our conversation with Ted Martinez.

Bum Hess, class of 1984, was both an elite scorer and point guard during his four years at Virginia City High School. He would help lead the Muckers to consecutive state championships in 1982, 1983, and 1984.  Bum is also a member of the NIAA Hall of Fame. Here is our conversation with Bum Hess.

Hector Bucchaneri was a senior on the the 1984 state championship basketball team at Virginia City High School.  He would return a generation later to serve as head coach of the Muckers.  We met with Hector at the Old Globe in Carson City. Here is our conversation with Hector Bucchaneri.

Kevin Holloway arrived at Virginia City High School from Dayton at the start of his junior year.  He would be a key contributor on two state championship teams, 1982 and 1983.  Here is our conversation with Kevin Holloway.

Tony Lane, class of 1982, grew up in Virginia City idolizing the Mucker players he cheered on and dreaming of winning a state championship of his own.  He accomplished that goal in 1982 and fondly remembers his time on the Comstock.  We spoke with Tony by phone from his home in Southern California. Here is our conversation with Tony Lane.

Mike Longero played three seasons for Virginia City legend Tom Andreasen at Carson High School,  Mike was the 3A MVP in 1975, guiding the Senators to the state championship.  He would later return to Carson High School as a teacher and assistant coach under Andreasen, where his son Cody would also play for Andreasen.  Here is our conversation with Mike Longero. 

Frankie Bleuss, class of 1978, arrived on the Comstock at the start of his sophomore year.  He would help guide the Muckers to back to back titles in 1977 and 1978.  Here is our conversation with Frank Bleuss.

Ron Millim, class of 1978, was a member of two state championship teams at Virginia City High School.  He also made two of the most important free throws in Mucker hoops history.  We spoke with Ron at his home in Carson City. Here in our conversation with Ron Millim.