Columnist Spencer Patterson: Five California schools will be allowed to compete in Nevada

Spencer Patterson

Thursday, April 22, 1999 | 11:01 a.m.

Spencer Patterson's prep sports column appears Thursday. Reach him at 259-4085 or spencer@lasvegassun.com

After months of debate, the state's California controversy finally appears to be over.

Last week, the State Senate essentially killed a bill that would have prevented the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association's five California members -- North Tahoe, South Tahoe, Tahoe-Truckee, Coleville and Needles -- from participating in future state sanctioned playoff events.

Although the Senate's Human Resources and Facilities Committee ultimately did send the bill to the full assembly, the group amended the proposal before doing so.

And although the new-look bill mandates that all NIAA postseason events must take place in Nevada, it does not prevent out-of-state members from taking part in them.

A group opposed to California participation, led by Moapa Valley football coach Jeff Knutson, attempted to go through NIAA channels to oust the five California schools. After it failed, Knutson brought the issue before the legislature.

* REWARDING GREATNESS: Even after he exits the high school baseball scene, the honors keep rolling in for former Green Valley coach Rodger Fairless.

Fairless, who coached the Gators to a record sixth straight large-school state title last spring, has been named the Section Seven Coach of the Year by the National Federation of Interscholastic Coaches Association.

Although he still teaches at the Henderson school, Fairless stepped down as baseball coach this year to head up the new baseball program at the Community College of Southern Nevada.

* GORMAN ENTERS RANKINGS: Bishop Gorman became the first local team to enter USA Today's western regional baseball rankings since the preseason, debuting at No. 9 this week.

The Gaels are 22-1, 10-1 in the Sunset Division, with their only loss coming at the hands of Cimarron-Memorial.

The Spartans are the only other area squad to be ranked by USA Today this year, making a brief appearance at No. 9 in the west before the season started.

The Gaels also became the first Nevada squad to enter Baseball America's Top 25 national poll, debuting at No. 18 in this week's edition of the magazine.

* WRESTLERS INVADE TOWN: Nearly 2,000 of the nation's top wrestlers, including several local prep stars, will compete in next week's United States Wrestling Championships at the Las Vegas Convention Center April 28-May 1.

Included in the event: the U.S. Freestyle Nationals, the U.S. Greco-Roman Nationals, the U.S. Women's Nationals and the Western Junior Regionals.

Among the area athletes expected to participate are three members of Cimarron's 1999 4A state title squad -- 171-pounder Kendall Thacker, 140-pounder Reyes Gonzales and 132-pounder Chris Harris -- along with Harris' older brother, Eugene, a two-time state champion for Cimarron.

For tickets, call 735-5862.

* HONOR ROLL: Durango rightfielder James Burgess homered twice in the same inning to propel the Trailblazers to a key 11-3 win over division rival Cimarron on Tuesday. ... In her first varsity appearance, Silverado freshman Melissa Lundwall tossed a no-hitter in the Skyhawks' 18-0 softball win over Rancho Tuesday. Lundwall struck out six and walked one -- her only baserunner -- in five innings. ...

Eldorado senior Gary Hee posted his second no-hitter of the season on Tuesday, sending the Sundevils to a 13-0 win over Basic ...

Las Vegas High senior James Rogers racked up 19 kills, six aces and 19 digs in a pair of critical division boys volleyball wins over Green Valley and Silverado last week. ... Through Saturday's games, Silverado first baseman Jeremy West led all area baseball players with a .658 average, 50 points better than Cheyenne shortstop Jake Laidlaw (.608). Laidlaw owns the local home run lead with eight, while Durango first baseman Chris Kelly tops the RBI list with 35. Gorman pitcher Pat McBride has an area-best 0.61 ERA while teammate Nate Fouts' six wins lead the pack.

* ANNOUNCEMENTS: The seventh annual Green Valley Rotary Club High School All-Star Soccer Classic is slated for Saturday, June 5, at UNLV's Peter Johann Field. The top senior boys and girls will represent the Sunrise and Sunset Divisions in a pair of games at 6 p.m. (girls) and 8 p.m. (boys). Admission is $3, with tickets available either at the gate or from the Rotary Club (458-7493). ... Palo Verde will host a basketball camp for boys and girls in grades 3-9 from June 7-10. The cost is $100 and more information is available by calling Phil Clarke at 254-4028 or 799-1450, ext. 221. ...

Green Valley will host a basketball camp for boys and girls in grades 4-11. The two sessions, which cost $115 apiece, are from June 7-10 and June 14-17. For more information, call 263-9782.