Family Friendly: A trip to a Reno Bighorns game

I had always planned to drive off the hill to watch a Reno Bighorns game, but I never found the opportunity. That is, until this weekend. It's hard to believe they've been in Reno since 2008!

My son Chris won tickets by answering a Bighorn trivia game on a Reno radio station, so my daughter Abby and I drove down Friday night to join him and watch the season opener against the Iowa Energy.

Being the D League team of the Sacramento Kings, the Bighorns will see Kings players who need some work or are on rehab assignments. On Friday this was the case as we saw Oregon State graduate Eric Moreland who was just signed by the Kings this past summer.

I have to admit that I really didn't know any of the Bighorns players, but after one game I had a great introduction. Many NBA fans may remember John Stockton, who was with the Utah Jazz from 1984 to 2003. He was exciting to watch and I thought him to be the ultimate point guard. On Friday, I see much of his style in his son David who is a rookie guard on the Bighorns. He is small (5'11" and 165 pounds) but exciting to watch. The younger Stockton just graduated from Gonzanga University and is on his first pro team. Definitely someone to watch though we'll have to see if his size keeps him from moving up to the next level. On Friday he played 22 minutes and scored 21 points and never stopped running or moving around the court. One of his teammates, Baylor grad Brady Heslip, scored 40 points with 11 three pointers....another fun player to watch.

The current roster is made up of men from UCLA, Santa Clara, Baylor, Seton Hall, Oregon, Michigan State and many other universities, including one player, Joonas Caven from Finland.

The Bighorns play at the Reno Event Center, downtown near the National Bowling Stadium with lots of free parking at nearby casinos. They will have regular season games there until April.

For a family looking for a fun evening out that won't break the bank, check out a Reno Bighorns game. Tickets run from $8 up to $150 to sit at a courtside table with food and drink service. There is a Kids Zone with the longest bouncy house I've ever seen. Lots of freebies during the evening too including inflated thundersticks falling from the ceiling. You can also find ticket specials and promotions during the season. For $9 you get a popcorn and soda with free refills and they'll have $2 beer nights.

A South Lake Tahoe connection to the games is KTHO Disc Jockey Dreu Marin. He is the Bighorn's MC during the game, getting the fans energized with giveaways and announcements. Look for him in his bright green NBA sports jacket.

Oh yes, the outcome of the game: Reno lost to the Energy, 152-144, but at least we won free gelatos for the Bighorns scoring over 100 pts.