Cimarron favored to break Gators’ 6-year run of titles

Spencer Patterson

Friday, March 12, 1999 | 9:41 a.m.

Rising stars look to halt Green Valley's streak

For the past six years, any discussion of Southern Nevada prep baseball has started and ended with Green Valley.

Although the Gators often were pushed by their local competition during the regular season, coach Rodger Fairless' crew always rose to the challenge come playoff time, winning six straight large-school state titles.

But this year, with Fairless gone and star pitchers Mike Nannini and Joe Orloski playing professionally, the door may be open for another Southern Nevada club to break through.

Although the Gators should be in the running again, they'll likely be pushed by Cimarron-Memorial, Bishop Gorman and Durango out of the Sunset Division and Silverado in the Sunrise.

Following is a look at the area's 4A baseball teams:

Sunrise Division

BASIC WOLVES

Coach: Mike Kazek (first year) 1998 Record: 12-16, 4th Sunrise Top Players: Jeff Castle, LHP, Jr.; Jesse Craig, RHP/1B, So.; Santino DeWreede, 2B, Sr.; Matt Elliott, RHP, Fr.; Ray Gonzales, CF, Sr.; Jared Prisbey, RHP, Jr.; Mike Rose, SS, Sr.

Outlook: Kazek, a former Chaparral assistant, takes over a club that made a brief playoff appearance in 1998. With only three returning lettermen, the inexperienced Wolves will be hard-pressed to get back to the postseason. Still, Basic does have decent pitching and a strong middle infield tandem, so a run at the Sunrise's fourth berth might not be totally out of reach.

CHAPARRAL COWBOYS

Coach: Richard Ebarb (third year) 1998 Record: 17-10, 3rd Sunrise Top Players: Ronnie Burkey, 1B, Sr.; Shane Clatterbuck, RHP/OF, Sr.; Soren Nickles, 3B/RHP, Jr.; Brady Okuda, 2B, Jr.; Dusty Owens, CF, Sr.; Dwayne Sparks, C/DH, Sr.

Outlook: The Cowboys lost a lot of their glitter when MLB draftees Russell Cleveland and Nick Hobbs graduated last year. What remains might be a more complete club, however, with more pitching depth, stronger defense and better chemistry, according to Ebarb. Chaparral will need to find an unexpected power source or two, and if the Cowboys do, they should be in the thick of the playoff hunt.

ELDORADO SUNDEVILS

Coach: Jesse Medellin (second year) 1998 Record: 11-14, T-5th Sunrise Top Players: Garrett Bailey, C, Jr.; Randy Browner, 3B, Sr.; Bryan Frank, OF, So.; Jason Gallegos, SS, Jr.; Jason Guerra, RF/RHP, Sr.; Jarrod Hamilton, RHP/1B, Jr.; Chris Hansen, 2B/RHP, Jr.; Gary Hee, LHP/CF, Sr.; Charles Wooten, Ut, Jr.

Outlook: After just missing the playoffs last year, the Sundevils appear to have the horses to get there in '99. The three H's -- Hee, Hansen and Hamilton -- all can throw in the mid-80s, giving Eldorado more starting pitching than most of the division. If Medellin's players can stay healthy and eligible (he has only 13 on the varsity roster), this team could challenge Silverado and Green Valley for Sunrise superiority.

GREEN VALLEY GATORS

Coach: Nick Garritano (first year) 1998 Record: 33-2, 1st Sunrise Top Players: Jake Dittler, RHP, So.; Garrett Guzman, DH, So.; David Krynzel, OF, Jr.; Ryan Myers, RHP, Sr.; Kyle Reed, SS, Sr.; Ben Schiess, OF/ LHP, Jr.; Anthony Scarpelli, LHP, Sr.; Ben Scheinbaum, LHP, Jr.; John Slack, 1B /LHP, Sr.; Matt Stratton, OF, Sr.

Outlook: Fairless is out of the picture, but he certainly didn't leave the cupboard bare for his successor. Far from it. The Gators return many of the key players from last year's state championship squad, including the area's best outfield trio in Krynzel, Schiess and Stratton. Garritano's "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" motto will serve him well this year, but Green Valley will only go as far as its inexperienced pitching staff can take it.

LAS VEGAS WILDCATS

Coach: Sam Thomas (first year) 1998 Record: 10-13, T-5th Sunrise Top Players: Greg Anderson, C/RHP, Jr.; Jason Chatham, OF, Sr.; Anthony Pluta, OF, Jr.

Outlook: Thomas, a longtime Fairless assistant, brings a winning attitude to a Las Vegas squad that didn't live up to expectations in 1998. Expect the Wildcats to play a smarter, more disciplined brand of baseball under a coach who took part in six straight state title celebrations. Las Vegas doesn't have a great pitching staff or a stable of star hitters, but the 'Cats will likely still battle for a playoff berth.

RANCHO RAMS

Coach: Tom Coleman (second year) 1998 Record: 0-18, 8th Sunrise Top Players: Adolfi Castenada, SS, Jr.; Tony Farrell, OF/RHP, Jr.; Robert Gallegos, 2B, Fr.; Cory Hoffman, C/RHP, So.; Lou Hoffman, 1B, Sr.; Chauncey Lee, 3B/RHP, Jr.; Miguel Suniga, IF, So.; Keenan Thompson, OF/RHP, Fr.

Outlook: After going winless last season, the Rams can't go anywhere but up. Coleman has done a solid job building the school's program, but he still lacks quality pitching and experienced veterans necessary to entertain postseason dreams. Still a year or two away.

SILVERADO SKYHAWKS

Coach: Brian Whitaker (fifth year) 1998 Record: 20-10, 2nd Sunrise Top Players: Joe Carque, RHP/OF, Sr.; Mike Eshragh, 2B, Jr.; Tommy Rojas, C, Jr.; Ryan Ruiz, SS, Jr.; Vincent Valiente, CF, Sr.; Robbie Van, LHP/OF, Jr.; Jason Vita, RHP/OF, Sr.; Jeremy West, 1B, Jr.; James Wickman, RHP/OF, Jr.; Joe Wickman, 3B, Jr.

Outlook: The talent-rich Skyhawks got even richer with the addition of West, a first-team all-state outfielder with Bonanza last season. Silverado has one of the area's most fearsome most batting orders, the state's slickest shortstop in Ruiz and a deep staff of capable pitchers. The only thing Whitaker lacks is a dominant pitcher in the mold of Nannini or Cimarron's Mike Esposito, but that shouldn't be enough the keep the 'Hawks from winning the division and challenging for zone and state titles.

VALLEY VIKINGS

Coach: Jay Guest (second year) 1998 Record: 10-16, T-5th Sunrise Top Players: Kaaveh Akbari, C/RHP, So.; Aaron Dowell, 3B/RHP, So.; Aharon Eggleston, CF/LHP, Sr.; Brian Jolly, RHP, Sr.; Mike Rodriguez, SS/RHP, Jr.; Erick Wiser, RHP/IF, So.

Outlook: The Vikings struggled in Guest's first season at the helm, and things aren't likely to get a lot better this year. The team has some solid athletes, but most of them are sophomores with little or no varsity experience. Valley's pitching should be better in '99, but the squad lacks hard throwers who can shut opponents down. A team to watch down the road, but probably still a year away.

Sunset Division

BISHOP GORMAN GAELS

Coach: Tim Chambers (eighth year) 1998 Record: 26-9, 1st Sunset Top Players: Brandon Boesch, RHP/OF, Jr.; Joe Cannella, OF, Sr.; Nick Didier, OF, Sr.; Cooper Fouts, C, So.; Nate Fouts, RHP, Sr.; Ben Fox, RHP, Sr.; Pat McBride, RHP/1B, Jr.; Ben Quinto, SS, Sr.; Joe Sibley, 2B, So.

Outlook: Fresh off appearances in last summer's American Legion World Series and last spring's 4A state baseball tournament, the Gaels are back and ready to try for another Sunset title. There's no replacing graduated star Jason Van Meetren, but Gorman still has loads of talent. Boesch, Dider and the Fouts brothers are stars in the making, and the team has deeper pitching than almost any other in town. Expect the Gaels to be in the thick of things again this spring.

BONANZA BENGALS

Coach: Eric Barry (first year) 1998 Record: 17-16, T-4th Sunset Top Players: Ted Carrasco, 2B, Sr.; Ryan Orton, C, Sr.; Cade Stratton, SS, Sr.; John Teepe, LHP, Sr.; Stacey Wagner, 1B, Sr.

Outlook: The Bengals clawed their way into the playoffs last year, getting in by the slimmest of margins. Now, Barry replaces the departed Kort Miner at the helm of a club that saw much of its talent transfer. Still, Bonanza has some solid pitching and should be sound defensively. Lack of run production will probably keep the Bengals out of the postseason this year, though.

CHEYENNE DESERT SHIELDS

Coach: Dave Snyder (second year) 1998 Record: 10-12, T-4th Sunset Top Players: Al Camacho, C, Sr.; Sean Colles, LHP, Jr.; Dave Evans, RHP/ CF, Sr.; Jake Laidlaw, SS, Sr.; Adam Lesko, 3B/RHP, Jr.; Cliff McMachen, LHP/ RF, Sr.

Outlook: After missing out on the playoffs on a tiebreaker with Bonanza, the Desert Shields appear to have a squad to challenge for the Sunset's fourth playoff spot. Snyder has four quality starters on his pitching staff and Laidlaw is one of the state's most consistent hitters. Cheyenne's players are eager to put last year's disappointment behind them, and if Laidlaw can get protection in the lineup, they likely will.

CIMARRON-MEM. SPARTANS

Coach: Calvin Valvo (eighth year) 1998 Record: 20-9, 2nd Sunset Top Players: Mike Esposito, RHP/OF, Sr.; Colby Hyt, 1B, Sr.; Mike Luczynski, OF/RHP, Sr.; Jared Massanari, 3B, Sr.; James Nepa, C, Sr.

Outlook: With Green Valley down a bit, Valvo's squad inherits the favorite role this season, earning a regional USA Today ranking and a national ranking in Baseball America. Much of the attention is deserved, thanks in large part to the presence of Esposito, the state's top pitcher. The Spartans are deep, talented and experienced, so if they can handle all the expectations, they could join the school's football, boys basketball and wrestling teams in the state championship winner's circle.

CLARK CHARGERS

Coach: Robert Lucero (second year) 1998 Record: 4-21, 7th Sunset Top Players: J.P. Ablahani, CF/RHP, Jr.; Chris Gandy, SS/RHP, Sr.; Brandon Herndon, RF/RHP, Sr.; Derek Wilson, 1B/RHP, Sr.

Outlook: The Chargers won just one league contest last year, and will be challenged to improve dramatically on that total. Lucero's squad has virtually no varsity experience and lacks quality pitching. This is likely a rebuilding year for Clark, which could get a lot better if it can get two ineligible starting pitchers back on the field.

DURANGO TRAILBLAZERS

Coach: Mike Gomez (sixth year) 1998 Record: 27-9, 3rd Sunset Top Players: Jared Bonnell, RHP, Sr.; James Burgess, RF, Sr.; John DiBetta, 2B, Sr.; Sean Havens, CF, Sr.; Brent Johnson, RHP/3B, Jr.; Chris Kelly, 3B/1B, Jr.; Brandon Perry, SS, Jr.; E.J. Shanks, RHP, Jr.; J.T. Sherman, RHP, Sr.

Outlook: Despite losing several key pieces of last year's 27-win club, Gomez insists this year's Trailblazers should be better on defense, more experienced on the mound and as good at the plate. Chemistry could be an issue, as the team welcomes Perry and Bonnell, talented transfers from fellow contenders Silverado and Cimarron, respectively. But with Burgess and Havens anchoring a strong lineup and Sherman and Shanks on the hill, Durango should be among the tops in town again.

MOJAVE RATTLERS

Coach: Steve Barnson (first varsity season) 1998 Record: no varsity team Top Players: Jordan Boesch, 1B, So.; Joe Primas, RHP, Jr.; Shawn Riley, C, So.; Tim Wheeler, 2B, Fr.

Outlook: The Rattlers will use this season to adjust their talented freshman and sophomore classes to the rigors of varsity life. The team has only 12 players on the varsity roster, so injuries must be avoided.

PALO VERDE PANTHERS

Coach: Charlie Cerrone (first varsity season) 1998 Record: no varsity team Top Players: Dean Fore, 2B/RHP, So.; Jason Fredrich, 1B/RHP, Jr.; Brandon Meads, C/RHP, Jr.; Justin Newman, CF, So.; Eric Newman, RHP/SS, So.; Billy Nolan, 3B, Jr.

Outlook: The Panthers already have a taste of varsity life, courtesy of their summer Legion season, when they went 12-16 in league games. Cerrone has some budding stars in Meads and the Newman brothers, but a playoff appearance is likely still a bit down the road.

WESTERN WARRIORS

Coach: Dan Myers (first year) 1998 Record: 6-16, 6th Sunset Top Players: A.J. Ghadery, SS, Sr.; Thomas LaFronz, LHP/OF, So.; Jeremy Lucero, RHP, Sr.; Ryan Reeves, 3B, Jr.; Kevin Salsbury, 1B, Jr.; Chris Standart, RHP/1B, Jr.; Justin Stephenson, RHP/3B, Jr.; James Suster, C, Sr.; D.C. Watson, 2B, Sr.

Outlook: Myers, a former Bonanza assistant, takes over a squad that won just three league contests in 1998. With most key players back, the Warriors should improve on that total. Former UNLV pitcher Jeremiah Tipton has been brought in to work with a talented, deep staff that could give Western a shot at the division's final playoff berth.

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