Sun All-State Basketball Team: Boys First Team

Tuesday, March 7, 2000 | 11:29 a.m.

ALEX GAMBOA / POINT GUARD

Reno, 6-0, junior

Statistics: 17.5 ppg, 8 apg, 5 rpg

Noteworthy: Two-year varsity starter, third season on varsity squad; co-MVP of Northern Nevada's Division II; helped Huskies to Division II title, 24-7 record and appearance in 4A state tournament.

Said Huskies coach Pete Padgett: "From the first league game through the playoffs, I thought he was the dominant player in the north. He was our leading scorer, he handled the ball almost exclusively and he guarded the other team's top guard. He did it all for us this year."

JAMAAL BRIMMER / SHOOTING GUARD

Durango, 6-1, senior

Statistics: 18.8 ppg, 5.8 apg, 5.6 rpg,

Noteworthy: Two-year varsity starter; MVP of Sunset Region; averaged 22.2 points, seven rebounds in six playoff games; helped club to 25-8 record; signed to play football with UNLV.

Said Trailbazers coach Al LaRocque: "The thing that separates Jamaal from other players is he practices hard every day. He flat-out competes every day, and only special players do that."

TREMMELL DARDEN / SMALL FORWARD

Las Vegas, 6-3, senior

Statistics: 21 ppg, 9.8 rpg, 63 percent FGs

Noteworthy: Two-year varsity starter; all-Sunrise Region selection; explosive scorer led team to 24-7 record, Northeast Division title and appearance in 4A state tournament; usually defended opposition's top player.

Said Wildcats coach Bob Beskow: "From practice to game time he was always the hardest worker, and it's nice when your best player is your hardest worker. He was our co-captain, a great player and a good leader."

MARTREL JOHNSON / POWER FORWARD

Durango, 6-3, sophomore

Statistics: 18.3 ppg, 11.3 ppg, 2 bpg

Noteworthy: Two-year varsity starter; all-Sunset Region selection; Blazer big man helped team reach state tournament with three double-doubles in Sunset Region Tournament, including 28-point, 15-rebound effort against Western to clinch state berth.

Said Trailblazers coach Al LaRocque: "His physical presence is so awesome, but people forget he just turned 16 in December. Martrel was possessed with getting a championship. He came in every day and said, 'Coach, can I see your ring?' That was his driving force."

JASON CARTER / CENTER

Bishop Gorman, 6-9, junior

Statistics: 14 ppg, 12.5 rpg, 3 bpg

Noteworthy: Two-year varsity starter; all-Southwest Division selection; Gaels man in the middle helped team capture 4A state championship to cap 27-5 season; had 21 points, 10 rebounds, six blocks in title win over Durango.

Said Gaels coach Jeff Wagonseller: "He gave us something every game, whether it was 12 rebounds or 15 points or five blocks. He's also an extremely good passer, and when teams double-teamed him he helped other players get good shots."

AL LAROCQUE / COACH

Durango

Noteworthy: Despite losing touted Division I prospect Chey Christie last summer, led Trailblazers to 25-8 record and appearance in 4A state championship game.