Columnist Spencer Patterson: Realignment paying dividends after all

Spencer Patterson

Thursday, Jan. 6, 2000 | 10:06 a.m.

Spencer Patterson's prep notebook appears Thursday. Reach him at 259-4085 or spencer@vegas.com

It's been said there are two sides to every story. In the case of Southern Nevada's recently realigned divisions, that certainly holds true.

In the fall, the move from two conferences to four divisions received harsh criticism from area coaches, players and fans, many of whom felt the new system deprived high-quality teams from reaching the playoffs (see Bonanza girls golf).

But now, just one season later, the primary benefit of the new setup is coming into focus -- a schedule that allows teams to be at their best for conference games.

Last year, with nine schools apiece in the Sunset and Sunrise divisions, teams were forced to play critical league contests from the get-go, after just a handful of nonconference games.

The current format gives teams the entire month of December to work out the kinks, as new players adjust to varsity play, new teammates become familiar with one another and new coaches implement their systems.

"This gives us a great opportunity to get ready for league play," said Cheyenne boys basketball coach Larry Johnson, who returned just three players from last year's Southern Zone title squad. "It's especially helpful for the inexperienced teams around town."

League play begins for area girls soccer teams today and for boys and girls basketball teams on Friday. And since those games will determine postseason berths and playoff positions, it stands to reason those contests should feature teams playing at their highest level.

Early season contests against local opponents, as well as holiday tournament games with national foes, have helped prepare area schools for that challenge.

"We've played very good competition, and we feel like we've done what we need to do to prepare for a tough conference race," Durango boys basketball coach Al LaRocque said. "You want to experiment with combinations and with personnel, and if you have league games in December you can't do that."

* KLINE 'RETIRES': One of Nevada's top girls basketball players has apparently hung up her jersey.

According to Basic coach Jan Van Tuyl, junior Jen Kline -- a member of the Sun's all-state first-team last year -- has left the team, telling the coach her high school basketball days are over.

"We've just got a philosophical difference of opinion," said Van Tuyl, who declined to comment further.

The 6-0 Kline averaged 21 points and eight rebounds last season, helping the Wolves to an appearance in the 4A state tournament. After nursing a kidney injury during the offseason, she appeared in a handful of games this year before leaving the team during winter break.

* THOMPSON TRIUMPH: Bishop Gorman's freshman Thompson Twins continue to make names for themselves at the national level, with Christian Thompson capturing last week's Penn Fiesta Bowl Tournament Girls 16s championship in Scottsdale, Ariz.

Thompson earned a berth in the finals when her sister, Catrina, withdrew from the semifinal matchup with pulled muscles in her ribs. In the championship, Christian Thompson bested Californian Preethi Mukundan, 6-1, 6-3.

Over the weekend, Christian Thompson also reached the quarterfinals of the girls 18s at the Copper Bowl Tournament in Tucson, Ariz. Thompson is just 15 years old.

* TIDBITS: Las Vegas High volleyball coach Geno Frugoli has accepted the head volleyball coaching job at Dakota Wesleyan University in Mitchell, S.D. Frugoli, who served as both girls and boys coach for the Wildcats, leaves the school with an 82-28 record. ... Bishop Gorman's boys basketball team remained No. 9 in the west region in this week's USA Today prep rankings. ... Cox Cable Channel 48 will air the championship from last week's Las Vegas Prep Classic tonight at 7 p.m.