Columnist Spencer Patterson: A perfect prep sports junkie weekend

Spencer Patterson

Monday, Feb. 23, 1998 | 9:31 a.m.

FOR A prep sports junkie, last Saturday's schedule turned out to be a perfect way to spend a day off.

Three local zone championships within a nine-hour window, all within easy striking distance in the heart of town and each featuring what appeared to be a dream matchup, at least on paper.

The day promised to offer a perfect glimpse into exactly what makes high school sports so unique: athletes participating for the love of the game, with (except for the select few who may go on to play in college) no offer of financial reward, knowing that their playing days likely soon will be over.

So hopping in the car at 11:30 a.m., there was a certain sense of excitement about the events to come.

Girls soccer

Stop number one on the three-part tour was UNLV's Peter Johann Memorial Field for the girls soccer championship between Bishop Gorman and Green Valley.

Earlier in the week, Gaels' coach Victor Arbelaez had proclaimed, "Everyone in town, is talking about Gorman-Green Valley."

Although that's overstating things just a tad, with the two best teams in the area involved, this game clearly had all the makings of a classic.

Running a little behind schedule, I floored my Jeep over the muddy embankment at the entrance to the venue's "parking lot" and hurriedly found a spot, figuring I might have already missed the first two or three goals in what I expected to be a wild shootout.

Forty minutes later, the teams came off the field for halftime deadlocked at zero. Typical soccer. Bill the game as a clash of high-scoring offenses and, once the stands are filled, settle into a dump-and-chase, defensive-oriented affair.

To be fair, both teams had their share of chances in the first half, but two young goalies -- Gorman freshman Lauren Ayers and Green Valley's Tara Graves -- stole the show, making saves that had even their most staunch fans wondering what the pair had eaten for breakfast.

The second half opened with a flurry, with the clubs exchanging goals in the first five minutes. Just when fans starting asking about the overtime procedures in a zone final, Gators' junior J.B. Calabro knocked in the game-winner on a free kick from the left side.

You had the feeling if these teams played 10 games, each would win five times. Both have explosive offenses, solid defenses and would be considered favorites for the state title.

If there were one.

In Nevada, girls soccer is left with two champions, one from the north and one from the south. And never the twain shall meet.

That doesn't seem fair, given the boys have a state tournament in the fall. I remembered hearing about a little law called Title IX, but hey, I could be wrong.

Girls basketball

The schedule makers were kind enough to give the prep junkies some time off before the girls game at Valley High School between Silverado and Gorman. I used it to grab a bite to eat, thankful that life had taught me to avoid microwave hot dogs in high school gymnasiums.

Right off, let it be said that every level of sports can be enjoyed for what it is, without placing unnecessary comparisons on the athletes involved.

But Saturday's girls game bordered on unwatchable. And that's an assessment both coaches would agree with.

Silverado and Gorman combined for just 45 points in a sloppy first half filled with turnovers galore, missed layups and poor shooting. It was a sad display, considering both teams are capable of so much more.

The second half was a slight improvement, with Skyhawks center Jayme Connors playing tough despite foul difficulty and the Gaels' inside duo of Amy Roban and Paige Sutton showing why they'll probably both play at the next level.

After their ugly 56-52 victory, the Gorman players weren't doing a lot of celebrating. The Gaels and the other three Las Vegas teams heading up to Reno next week know they'll have to bring their game to another level if they hope to finally break the north's 17-year stranglehold on the state title.

Boys basketball

Bleacher seats are uncomfortable. That's the flaw in a three-event zonefest.

Nevertheless, the boys championship between rivals Valley and Las Vegas promised to be a great finale, so I settled in for a couple more hours in the stands.

The Viking band provided the packed house with some smokin' entertainment between games, featuring James Brown and Herbie Hancock covers. But the real fun started when the game tipped off.

Last time Vegas and Valley played, it took three overtimes to determine a winner. But it was all Wildcats early in this one.

With guards Mario Finley and Ronnie Jones running the show, Vegas sprinted out to a nine-point halftime lead. The Wildcat big men, led by Denton White, also did an unbelievable job controlling Valley leading scorer Alex Hernandez in the low post.

The hosts finally responded late in the third quarter, eventually pulling within one early in the fourth. But Jones and Casey Reid-Crockett made all the shots down the stretch. Las Vegas enjoyed the final moments of a 66-48 win with an array of look-away passes and two-handed dunks.

As the Valley starters watched from the bench, it was obvious how much they would love to repay the favor in next week's state tournament. For that to happen, both teams would have to reach the championship. That's a fairly strong possibility.

Tired, but content, I returned home nearly nine hours after I left with but one thought rattling around in my head:

Maybe next year, I'll also be able to make it to wrestling.