Colby Hyt looking even better

Spencer Patterson

Thursday, Feb. 5, 1998 | 9:09 a.m.

Cimarron-Memorial's Colby Hyt had an outstanding sophomore season last year, batting .444 and posting a 3.00 earned-run average.

But don't be surprised if the first baseman/left-handed pitcher improves on those numbers after an off-season in which he competed with the country's best during a two-week tour of Puerto Rico.

The 16-year-old Hyt recently joined 11 teammates from around the United States on the Roberto Clemente All-Star Team. The only Nevadan on the squad, Hyt helped the Americans to a 4-4-2 record against top amateur teams in Puerto Rico.

"We were pretty solid, but you're not going to play as well with guys you've never played with before," Hyt said. "But we managed because we had a lot of talent on the team."

The switch-hitting Hyt, who batted fifth in the Spartans' order last spring, found himself in the leadoff spot after his all-star team's two practice sessions. That experience should bode well for Cimarron-Memorial, which could wind up with a more versatile lineup.

"When you're deep in the order, you can swing at almost anything. But when you're leading off, you have to be more selective and get on base," Hyt said.

A good omen?

For the first time in more than two seasons, the Green Valley girls soccer team did not come out on the winning end of a Sunrise Division game last Thursday.

But according to Gators coach Vince Hart, his team's 1-1 tie against Valley may be just the thing to lift it to the next level when the postseason starts.

"Our boys were undefeated and they tied one game in the division last fall, and we won the state championship," Hart said. "Hopefully this is a good omen."

Despite the tie, Green Valley continues to be the cream of the Sunrise crop with a 14-0-1 league mark and a 16-0-1 record against all area clubs.

Even in their recent deadlock, the Gators dominated, outshooting their foes and scoring both of the game's goals -- one against themselves. For the season, Hart's squad has allowed just four total goals.

"We're about pressure, and we're about keeping the ball," Hart said. "We're about forcing our game on the other team."

In addition to their impeccable record, the Gators boast the area's top two goal scorers -- junior Cosette Joffs (23 goals) and freshman Jennifer Breeden (21 goals) -- along with the area's assist leader, junior J.B. Calabro.

Green Valley also has one of Las Vegas' top defensive players in senior Becca Hughes and an oustanding midfielder in senior Kelly McCall, who signed with the University of San Francisco Wednesday.

College Signings

Along with McCall and defensive back Jamar Glasper, who committed to Utah State, three other Green Valley athletes signed with colleges Wednesday, the first day of the early signing period for football, volleyball and soccer.

Gator volleyball players Alicia Erickson, Christina Attebery and Erin Denton, who helped Green Valley to a third-place 4A state finish, will play at the collegiate level next fall.

Erickson, a 6-5 middle blocker, is headed to Washington State. Attebery, a 5-8 outside hitter, will play for Western Carolina. And Denton, a 5-7 outside hitter, will take her game to Western Arizona.

Two members of Durango's 4A state championship volleyball squad also signed on Wednesday: 5-8 setter Sarah Gubler with William & Mary and 6-2 middle blocker Blari Wilkes with Long Beach State.

Give us a call

To make a prep notebook contribution, coaches are encouraged to contact SUN prep editor Spencer Patterson at 259-4085.