Columnist Spencer Patterson: South will rise again in state tournament

Spencer Patterson

Thursday, Feb. 4, 1999 | 11:36 a.m.

Spencer Patterson's high school notebook appears Thursdays. Reach him at spencer@lasvegassun.com or 259-4085.

Every year around this time, we start hearing the rumblings from the north.

This could be the year, they say. This could be the year the north breaks through for the large school state boys basketball title.

In case anyone needs reminding, it has been 24 years since a team from northern Nevada (Carson in 1975 was the last) won it. Since then, it has been southern domination, sprinkled with a pair of California-school titles (South Tahoe in 1987 and '92).

With the 4A state tournament less than a month away, it's time to analyze the question again. Could this be the north's big year?

Certainly, the opportunity is there.

Although Southern Nevada has been home to some of the most competitive basketball this area has seen in years, it's safe to say none of the top teams in town could handle a candle to last season's state champion Valley squad (or for that matter, runner-up Las Vegas).

Cheyenne appears to be the cream of the crop. But the Desert Shields have been far from unbeatable, dropping games to Gorman, Cimarron and Clark (twice), among others. Cheyenne's three-guard rotation is second to none, but a squad with significant size or deadly perimeter shooting could pose problems for the Shields.

From there, it's hard to judge.

Gorman, Durango, Clark, Cimarron, Rancho and even Chaparral have shown flashes of brilliance, but each has looked flat on numerous occasions. It's not hard to envision one of those clubs winning the state title, but at this point, it's hard to say which has the best shot.

So in theory, that means the door could be wide open for a northern team to make some noise in late February. The only problem is, the top teams up there appear to be down this season.

Put last year's Galena or South Tahoe teams -- squads that made legitimate runs at the state finals last season -- in the mix, and either might be a solid favorite.

But both the Grizzlies and Vikings feature a cast of new faces. And the rest of the north's 4A squads have yet to step up and accept the mantle as this year's "great northern hope."

But northern Nevada's two best teams may not reside in Reno but in nearby Sparks. Sparks and Reed sit atop the Division I standings, with a half-game separating the two.

The Railroaders have the top eight players back from last year's state qualifying team, including 6-5 forward Randy Messenger, the north's top inside/outside threat. Like its southern counterparts, Sparks looks to push the ball upcourt whenever possible, a style that isn't likely to accomplish much against Las Vegas' more athletic clubs.

Reed, on the other hand, fits the more traditional image of a northern team: good size inside and guards who look to get the ball into the paint. With a front line that goes 6-9, 6-4, 6-4, the Raiders could pull off an upset at state, but likely can't match the southern squads' quickness for a full tournament.

Despite being hit hard by graduation, Galena still could be a factor, thanks to point guard Lance Buoncristiani, one of the state's top five players. Although he doesn't have the type of talent he'd like around him, he can take over a game (witness his 53-point effort in the Holiday Prep Classic).

In Division II, the story remains the same, with California's South Tahoe unbeaten in league play. The Vikings may not be as good as last year's state semifinalists, but coach Tom Orlich always gets the most out of his players.

Senior forward Josh David, a transfer from California, is the closest thing South Tahoe has to a star. But in Orlich's system, athletes are essentially interchangeable. If anyone is going to reach the championship round, this is probably the team.

Nevertheless, the final verdict here is that it's not going to happen in 1999. It won't be a huge upset to see a northern team in the 4A semifinals, but a spot in the finale would be a major surprise.

* COLLEGE SIGNINGS: Durango linebacker/tight end Kuron Tyus (6-0, 195) signed a letter of intent to play at Mesa State College in Grand Junction, Colo., Wednesday. ... Boulder City volleyball player Melissa Cansdale will sign with San Diego State, according to club coach Geno Frugoli. ... Green Valley girls soccer coach Megan Johnson reports that seniors Cosette Joffs and Jamie Barto will sign with UNLV.

* WOMEN IN SPORTS: The following area seniors have been selected to represent their schools in conjunction with today's 1999 National Girls and Women in Sports Day: Robin Werner (Basic), Paige Sutton (Gorman), Kelly Glass (Bonanza), Kara Lundgaard and Christinia Mooney (Boulder City), Brandee Neel (Chaparral), Jessica Rafferty (Cheyenne), Emily McCarter (Cimarron), Summer Ahuna (Clark), Courtney McCandless (Durango), Kristi Shaw (Eldorado), Jenni Creed (Faith Lutheran), Kathy Waddilove (Green Valley), Monique Miller (Las Vegas), Amanda Verba (Silverado), Angela Albert (Meadows) and Anne Schlosser (Valley). Silverado athletic director and girls volleyball coach Pam Sloan has also been honored.

* TIDBITS: Green Valley graduate Mitch Kallick racked up 62 kills to lead New York University to a 2-1 record at the Vassar Invitational Tournament. The Violets are 4-2. ... Eldorado High will host a baseball clinic for boys and girls ages 5-up Feb. 19 from 5-8 p.m. and Feb. 20 from 9 a.m.-noon. Registration begins the first day at 4 p.m. and the cost is $25. Eldorado will also be the site of a coaches clinic (cost $10) on Feb. 20 at 10 a.m. and an alumni game Feb. 20 at 2 p.m. For more information, call 431-6051 or 454-2313. ... Holiday Prep Classic champion Oak Hill (Va.) remained No. 1 in this week's USA Today top 25 boys basketball poll after running its record to 24-0 . ... Southern Nevada's Pop Warner football league is looking for coaches for the 1999 season. To apply, call 264-0923.