Basic Legion builds on last summer’s success

Spencer Patterson

Friday, June 16, 2000 | 10:09 a.m.

For many local fans and coaches, the 2000 prep baseball season will long be remembered for the reemergence of Basic High School.

The long-dormant Wolves clawed their way to the Southeast Division title, finishing ahead of nationally ranked Silverado and Green Valley, and ultimately earning national respect themselves.

But as Basic coach Mike Kazek is quick to point out, his program's success dates to before the start of the spring season -- back to last summer's American Legion campaign.

The Wolves made it to the semifinals of the state tournament, beating northern representative Reno High in the process.

"Last summer was a good stepping stone," Kazek said. "We opened some eyes. The state tournament last year was a good culminating experience for our kids, and all the hard work they had put in."

One year later, Kazek is hoping to get another strong Legion performance from his club. And so far, the results have been impressive, with the Wolves taking a 13-2 overall record (5-1 league) into tonight's clash with Green Valley.

"We use the Legion season to better ourselves," Kazek said. "And it gives us an opportunity to see what our younger kids can do. In the long run, that's more important to me than wins and losses."

As they were during the spring season, the Wolves are led by their top two pitchers -- senior-to-be Jesse Craig and junior-to-be Matt Elliott. Both are off to 3-0 starts.

Basic, which is carrying eight pitchers on its staff, has also received solid contributions on the mound from junior-to-be Skyler Southwick and Jared Prisbrey, one of three graduated seniors on the roster.

"We've got a good nucleus," Kazek said. "It's the same Basic lineup we had during the year."

Of course, Kazek knows that after all its recent success, his club isn't likely to sneak up on anyone in 2001. And that's fine by the Basic coach.

"It's better to be looked at as a team to beat than a team to be walked on," Kazek said. "We'll take the challenge as it comes."

Along with the Wolves, area teams Green Valley, Chaparral, Clark, Cimarron-Memorial, Palo Verde and Rancho are slated to play. The tournament will be played at four Henderson sites -- Basic, Burkholder, Arroyo Grande and CCSN -- with the finals scheduled for next Sunday at noon.

Green Valley grads John Grose and Bryce Sells are playing for the Phoenix Firebirds, an Arizona-based all-star team, at this week's Connie Mack tournament in Omaha, Neb. The event runs in conjunction with the College World Series every summer. ...

A nonleague game between Bonanza and Foothill was suspended Tuesday when the sprinklers unexpectedly came on at Valley High School. The Bengals were leading 8-6 in the top of the seventh. The game's completion has yet to be rescheduled.