Silverado, GV lead charge into 2000 battle

Spencer Patterson

Thursday, March 9, 2000 | 9:31 a.m.

For most of the past decade, the path to the state's large-school baseball title has gone straight through Henderson.

With Southern Nevada coaching legend Rodger Fairless at the helm, Green Valley High captured six consecutive championships from 1993-98, earning a reputation as a national power in the process.

As the 2000 season gets under way today, the story line remains similar, but it's another school in the Henderson area that begins the year as the odds-on favorite to claim the crown.

Silverado, fresh off a summer season that saw the Skyhawks come within a whisker of the American Legion World Series, returns an experienced, balanced lineup. With six Division I signees on its roster, Silverado has earned national rankings in Baseball America (No. 14) and USA Today (No. 25).

But the Skyhawks' path to the title won't be easy. The Sunrise Region will send just one team to this year's state tournament, and standing in Silverado's way will be a familiar foe: Green Valley.

The Gators also return a solid core of veterans, including an outfield that may be second to none nationally. Like Silverado, Green Valley has drawn national attention in Baseball America (No. 28) and USA Today (No. 8 in the western region).

As if that neighborhood rivalry weren't enough, the Sunrise will also be home to a Las Vegas High club headlined by two potential pitching draftees, along with solid Basic, Eldorado and Chaparral teams.

The Sunset should also feature an intriguing race, with defending 4A state champion Durango the early favorite to earn the lone berth in the state tournament, which will be played at a Southern Nevada site to be determined.

Southern Nevada will also be home to a pair of new varsity baseball programs this season at first-year Centennial and Foothill. The area's third new school, Desert Pines, will not field a varsity team this season, meaning the other four members of the Northeast Division -- Eldorado, Las Vegas, Rancho and Valley -- have already clinched playoff spots.

Following is a team-by-team look at the area's 4A baseball teams.

Southeast Division

BASIC WOLVES

Coach: Mike Kazek (2nd year)

1999 Record: 15-11 (T-2nd Sunrise, lost in zone playoffs)

Top Players: Jeff Castle, LHP, Sr.; Jesse Craig, RHP, Jr.; Matt Elliott, RHP, So.; Josh Epperson, CF, Sr.; Ryan Harris, 3B, Sr.; Jared Prisbrey, RHP/OF, Sr.

Outlook: After returning to prominence last season under Kazek, the Wolves return a solid lineup, including top pitchers Craig, Elliott, Harris and Prisbrey. "They're what carried us last year, and pitching is hopefully going to keep us in ballgames this year," Kazek said. "Right now, we have to prove we can hit." Unfortunately for Basic, even if the Wolves can do that it might not be enough to finish higher than third in their division.

CHAPARRAL COWBOYS

Coach: Jeff Morgan (1st year)

1999 Record: 19-10 (T-2nd Sunrise, lost in zone playoffs)

Top Players: John Caruso, C, Sr.; Dan Habel, 1B, Sr.; Chris Hansen, SS, Sr.; Soren Nickels, RHP, Sr.; Brady Okuda, 2B, Sr.

Outlook: Morgan, a 1991 Chaparral graduate and former Green Valley assistant, takes over for Richard Ebarb, now an assistant at CCSN. The new Cowboys coach inherits a scrappy squad with talent at several positions. "They've been easy to coach, and I think they'll surprise some people," he said.

FOOTHILL FALCONS

Coach: Tom Crine (1st year)

1999 Record: No Team

Top Players: Jabe Beard, 3B, So.; Mike Lee, 2B, So.; Grant Stanley, SS, Jr.; Tommy Woodring, C, Jr.

Outlook: After six successful years at 3A school Boulder City, Crine will try to build the first-year Falcons' program. Foothill lacks a senior class, but the team will feature three players with junior varsity experience at successful schools in town -- Woodring and Beard from Gorman and Stanley from Green Valley.

GREEN VALLEY GATORS

Coach: Nick Garritano (2nd year)

1999 Record: 18-11 (T-2nd Sunrise, lost in zone playoffs)

Top Players: Jake Dittler, RHP, Jr.; Garrett Guzman, RF/LHP, Jr.; Dave Krynzel, CF, Sr.; Ben Scheinbaum, LHP/1B; Ben Schiess, LF/LHP, Sr.; Billy Schmitt, 3B, Sr.

Outlook: In his first year, Garritano proved that the Gators could win in the post-Fairless era. Now, he has the team to compete for a state title, with experienced players at virtually every position. Krynzel, a Baseball America preseason All-American, teams up with Guzman and Schiess to form one of the nation's top outfields, and Scheinbaum (a UNLV signee) and Dittler are two of the area's top pitchers. Best of all, the loaded Gators come into 2000 as underdogs -- an unusual role for the recent six-time state champions. "I think Silverado is what everyone remembers Green Valley from the previous six years as being," Garritano said. "They're very talented."

SILVERADO SKYHAWKS

Coach: Brian Whitaker (6th year)

1999 Record: 18-7 (1st Sunrise, lost in zone playoffs)

Top Players: Kenny Clayton, RHP, Jr.; Mike Eshragh, 2B, Sr.; Eric Nielsen, OF, Sr.; Tommy Rojas, C, Sr.; Ryan Ruiz, SS, Sr.; Robbie Van, LHP, Sr.; Jeremy West, 1B, Sr.; James Wickman, RHP/OF; Joe Wickman, 3B, Sr.

Outlook: The Skyhawks were the best in the Sunrise in 1999 but were unable to parlay that into a state berth. After a summer of success at the Legion level, Whitaker's bunch appears ready to take the next step this season. West (Arizona St.), Rojas (Pepperdine), Ruiz (UNLV) and the Wickman brothers (UNLV) should provide plenty of firepower, while Van (UNLV), James Wickman, Clayton and Chaparral transfer Tyler Coon give the Skyhawks four experienced arms. If Van can come anywhere close to the success of recent dominators Mike Esposito (Cimarron '99) or Mike Nannini (Green Valley '98), Silverado could be virtually unbeatable this season. If not, the Skyhawks could face fierce competition from the nearby Gators. "Hitting and defense should be able to carry us, but you only go as far as your pitching takes you," Whitaker said.

Northeast Division

ELDORADO SUNDEVILS

Coach: Jesse Medellin (3rd year)

1999 Record: 13-10 (5th Sunrise)

Top Players: Arlie Daniel, CF, Sr.; Jason Gallegos, SS/RHP, Sr.; Jarrod Hamilton, RHP, Sr.; Chris Hansen, RHP/2B, Sr.; Stephen Rosemeyer, RF/C, Sr.

Outlook: After a disappointing 1999 campaign, the Sundevils return all but three starters from last year's squad. With the experienced Hansen and Hamilton back to anchor the pitching staff, and with Gallegos, Hansen, Daniel and catcher Garrett Biley up the middle, Eldorado could challenge Las Vegas for the division crown. But Medellin warns, "It all looks good on paper, but they have to get it done on the field, which is something we haven't done the past two years."

LAS VEGAS WILDCATS

Coach: Sam Thomas (2nd year)

1999 Record: 18-12 (6th Sunrise)

Top Players: Greg Anderson, C/RHP, Sr.; Andrew D'Angelo, SS, Sr.; John Dischiavo, RHP/IF, Sr.; Clayton Mofford, 3B/RHP, Sr.; Anthony Pluta, RHP/1B/OF.

Outlook: The Wildcats come into the season with the most feared one-two punch in town in senior right-handers Pluta (a Long Beach State signee) and Dischiavo, both potential draft choices. "They should keep us in every game," Thomas said. Vegas will be hard to beat in league competition. Whether the 'Cats can push Silverado or Green Valley come regional time will likely depend on their bats.

RANCHO RAMS

Coach: Michael Hubel (1st year)

1999 Record: 1-16 (8th Sunrise)

Top Players: Adolfo Castaneda, SS, Sr.; Tony Farrell, OF/RHP, Sr.; Roy Guiterrez, OF/RHP, Jr.; Miguel Suniga, 2B, Sr.; Kenon Thompson, CF, Jr.

Outlook: Hubel, a former Rams assistant, takes over a program that has notched just one win since 1997. Desert Pines' decision to shelve its varsity program gets Rancho into the playoffs, though, and the new coach has a positive approach. "Even though we've had some bad teams in the past, we're looking for good things to happen," Hubel said.

VALLEY VIKINGS

Coach: Jay Guest (3rd year)

1999 Record: 4-22 (7th Sunrise)

Top Players: Kaaveh Akbari, C/RHP, C; Aaron Dowell, 1B/RHP, Jr.; Mike Rodriguez, SS/RHP/C, Sr.; Erick Wiser, RHP/SS/CF, Jr.

Outlook: After folding his school's junior varsity squad, Guest is the first to admit that finding experienced players at Valley has been a challenge. "We're a little thin, and we're pretty young again this year," he said. Like Rancho, the Vikings won't have to worry about making the playoffs, though, because they're already in.

Southwest Division

BISHOP GORMAN GAELS

Coach: Ken White (1st year)

1999 Record: 25-6 (3rd Sunset, lost in zone playoffs)

Top Players: Brandon Boesch, OF/RHP, Sr.; Cooper Fouts, C, Jr.; Pat McBride, 1B/RHP, Sr.; Danny Norquist, 1B/OF, Sr.; J.C. Sibley, SS, Jr.

Outlook: Tim Chambers left last spring to start CCSN's new program, and the longtime coach may have gotten out while the getting was good. White, a longtime Chambers assistant who coached the Gaels through last summer's Legion season, inherits a squad with talent but without the sheer number of game-breakers Gorman has boasted in recent years. Boesch and Fouts are among the best in town at their positions, and the former will team up with McBride and sophomore lefty Daniel Mangiapani to form a solid starting staff. But it remains to be seen whether the Gaels can live up to their own high standards and challenge Durango for division superiority.

BONANZA BENGALS

Coach: Rick Barry (2nd year)

1999 Record: 14-14 (5th Sunset)

Top Players: Justin Clift, 3B/RHP, Sr.; Austin Hales, CF, Jr.; Chris Huseman, RHP, Jr.; Derek Jaekle, 1B, Sr.

Outlook: After keeping the Bengals afloat in his first year, Barry will try to get them back into contention this season. "We've got a lot more potential," he said. "I'm expecting to be in the top three (in the division)." Solid defense and decent pitching should be enough to accomplish that goal, but lack of big hitters will likely prevent Bonanza from challenging Durango or Gorman.

CLARK CHARGERS

Coach: Paul Visone (2nd year)

1999 Record: 10-23 (7th Sunset)

Top Players: Jordan Block, 1B, Jr.; Nick Miller, LHP, Jr.; Fernando Moreno, OF, Jr.; Alexis Rivera, SS, Sr.; David Ward, 3B, Sr.

Outlook: After two seasons as a Clark assistant, Visone moves up to take the reins of a Chargers team that has finished seventh in the Sunset two years running. And though the new coach expects improvement from 1999, his expectations for 2000 are realistic. "It's a rebuilding year. We're basically starting over," he said. "We've got to develop a winning attitude here."

DURANGO TRAILBLAZERS

Coach: Mike Gomez (7th year)

1999 Record: 35-4 (T-1st Sunset, 4A state champions)

Top Players: Nate Bumstead, 3B/RHP, Sr.; Jeff Jacobsen, RHP, So.; Brent Johnson, RHP/CF, Sr.; Danny Kahr, C, Jr.; Chris Kelly, 1B, Sr.; Brandon Perry, SS, Sr.; E.J. Shanks, RHP, Sr.

Outlook: The defending state champs were hit hard by graduation, losing all three starting outfielders, all-state second baseman John DiBetta and top two pitchers J.T. Sherman and Jared Bonnell. Still, the Blazers begin 2000 as the team to beat in the Sunset, thanks to a core of solid returners. But Gomez cautions that his team will be something of an unknown, with many of his veterans switching positions this year. "We have a lot of familiar names and faces, but not in the same spots," he said. Kelly, a Pepperdine signee, and Perry will anchor a potent lineup, but the team's strength could be its rotation, with Shanks, Jacobsen, Bumstead and Johnson all capable of shutting down top opponents.

WESTERN WARRIORS

Coach: Dan Myers (2nd year)

1999 Record: 2-16 (9th Sunset)

Top Players: Dalin Franklin, 2B, Sr.; Thomas LaFronz, Jr., LHP/CF; Steve Real, 3B, So.; Kevin Salsbury, 1B, Sr.; Shawn Taylor, SS/RHP, Jr.

Outlook: With just one starter back from a team that won just two games, this might look like another lost season for the Warriors. But after a tough first season, Myers is optimistic that 2000 will be a more positive experience. "Last year, we had a lot of problems with team chemistry," he said. "This year, the guys get along." With LaFronz and Taylor on the mound for league games, a playoff berth appears well within Western's reach.

Northwest Division

CENTENNIAL BULLDOGS

Coach: Charlie Cerrone (1st year)

1999 Record: No Team

Top Players: Rob Arata, 1B, Fr.; Derek Brundage, OF, Jr.; Trent McFarland, RHP/IF, Fr.; Cody Thompson, RHP/OF, Jr.; Tim Wheeler, RHP/OF, Jr.

Outlook: After building the baseball program at Palo Verde from the ground up during the past three seasons, Cerrone will now do likewise at first-year Centennial. His Bulldogs have Legion experience from last summer (albeit to the tune of an 0-30 record), and may have a budding star in Arata.

CHEYENNE DESERT SHIELDS

Coach: Dave Snyder (3rd year)

1999 Record: 17-9 (4th Sunset, lost in zone playoffs)

Top Players: Sean Colles, LHP, Sr.; Robert Kovacs, 3B, Jr.; Adam Lesko, RHP, Sr.; Adam Lesko, RHP, Sr.; Ryan Prince, SS, So.; Gabe Sakay, CF, Sr.

Outlook: The Desert Shields were on the periphery of last year's brutal Sunset race, finishing just behind area powers Durango, Gorman and Cimarron. Now they have a legitimate chance to win their division, with Cimarron and Palo Verde their chief competition. The graduation of first-team all-state infielder Jake Laidlaw hurts, but top pitchers Colles and Lesko are back and should keep Cheyenne in every league contest. "I don't see us being a tremendous offensive team, but those two pitchers are really solid," Snyder said.

CIMARRON-MEM. SPARTANS

Coach: Calvin Valvo (9th year)

1999 Record: 23-10 (T-1st Sunset, lost in state playoffs)

Top Players: Jino Gonzalez, LHP, Sr.; Joe Massanari, 1B, Sr.; Jeremy Reese, SS, Sr.; Jason Ruiz, 2B, Jr.; Dave Seccombe, OF/RHP, Sr.; Brad Thompson, RHP, Sr.

Outlook: The Spartans were hit hard by graduation, losing several key cogs from the machine that captured division and zone titles in 1999, including right-hander Mike Esposito, last year's State Player of the Year. Pitching may prove to be Cimarron's primary asset again this spring, with Gonzalez and Seccombe anchoring a staff that includes six seniors and four left-handers. With only 14 players on the varsity roster, Valvo's club will have to avoid injuries.

MOJAVE RATTLERS

Coach: Steve Barnson (2nd year)

1999 Record: 3-19 (8th Sunset)

Top Players: Shawn Bennett, OF, Jr.; Joe Primus, RHP, Sr.; Tom Smith, OF, Jr.; Doug Stumpf, SS, Jr.

Outlook: The Rattlers avoided the Sunset cellar in their first year and will try for a playoff berth in year two. That will mean finishing ahead of newcomer Centennial, something the young Rattlers should be capable of. "We're excited because we have some goals we hope we have a realistic chance to achieve," Barnson said.

PALO VERDE PANTHERS

Coach: Mike Besser (1st year)

1999 Record: 10-19 (6th Sunset)

Top Players: Brandon Meads, CF/C Sr.; Eric Newman, SS/RHP, Jr.; Justin Newman, RF, Jr.; Ryan Reeves, 1B, Sr.; Marco Scolari, LF, Sr.

Outlook: Besser, a longtime Silverado assistant, takes over a team with a shot to make some serious noise in a wide-open division. For the first time, the Panthers have seniors, and their new coach is looking to his fourth-year players for more than statistics. "We're looking for the seniors to provide strong leadership for us," Besser said. Meads is one of the area's most skilled center fielders, and Reeves -- a transfer from Western -- will anchor a solid lineup, but lack of experienced pitching could be a concern for this up-and-coming program.

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