Prep Notes: Cimarron-Memorial’s wrestlers return home

Spencer Patterson

Thursday, Feb. 26, 1998 | 12:21 p.m.

For the second year in a row, Cimarron-Memorial's wrestling squad arrived for the Nevada State Tournament as a favorite to claim the team title.

And for the second year in a row, the Spartans traveled home from Elko as the second-best team in the state, runners-up again to perennial powerhouse Wooster.

"Last year, we weren't expecting to win, so we were pleased. But this time we were shooting for first place all year, so there was some disappointment," Cimarron coach Tim Jeffries said upon returning from last weekend's tourney.

"(Wooster) just had a stronger team than I thought. They have a program that produces good kids year after year."

So Jeffries was left poring over his tournament brackets, trying to figure out where it all went wrong for the Spartans, who held a six-point lead heading into the final day.

The key round proved to be Sunday's semifinals, in which both Wooster and Cimarron had six wrestlers competing. While the Colts won five of their matches, the Spartans managed just two victories, all but sealing their fate.

"That was the telltale round," Jeffries admitted. "They moved away from us in the semis, and we had to play catch-up."

Down but not out, Cimarron battled back in the consolation rounds, closing the gap to just five points. But when Wooster produced four champions, compared with two for the Spartans, Jeffries' club finished 14 points out of first place.

Despite the narrow loss, the day was not without its highlights for Cimarron, headlined by junior 152-pounder Kendall Thacker's second state title and sophomore 135-pounder Chris Harris' first state crown.

Also, after four losses this season to Green Valley's Charrell Broadus, Spartan 112-pounder Jason McMahon wrapped up his high school career with a 4-3 decision over his nemesis in the third-place match.

Hoopster honors

After helping her team reach tonight's 4A State Girls Basketball Tournament, Cheyenne senior Yolonda Banks has earned the Southern 4A Zone Player of the Year award.

A 6-foot forward who led the Desert Shields with double-digit scoring and rebounding averages, Banks also excels in the classroom, where she has a 3.9 grade-point average.

On the boys side, which does not announce an all-zone selection, Valley's Alex Hernandez and Eldorado's James Bayless were named co-Sunrise Division Players of the Year while Cimarron's Brian Lang and Clark's Kevin Gaines shared MVP honors in the Sunset Division.

Top spiker

Durango senior Blair Wilkes, one of the area's top girls athletes, has been chosen as the Gatorade Circle of Champions Nevada Volleyball Player of the Year.

Wilkes, who recently signed with Long Beach State, also starts for the Trailblazer basketball team, which is participating in the state tournament in Reno.

Last fall, the 6-4 middle blocker led Durango to an undefeated league record and the 4A volleyball championship, cluminating with a 15-2, 15-5 victory over Douglas in the final round.

Coaching search

Bishop Gorman High School is accepting applications for a new football coach, who also must be qualified to work at the school as either a teacher or staff member. Resumes should be sent to Frank Brusa, athletic director, 1801 S. Maryland Parkway, Las Vegas, NV, 89104, by March 6.