Tough route to state looms

Spencer Patterson

Tuesday, May 2, 2000 | 9:34 a.m.

Winner take all.

Over the next two weeks, those three words will take on new meaning for Southern Nevada prep baseball teams hunting for berths in this year's 4A state tournament.

For the first time, Las Vegas will be home to two regional events -- the Sunrise Region Tournament at Henderson's Burkholder Field and the Sunset Region Tournament at Durango High School.

As in previous years, however, only two spots in this year's four-team state tournament will go to local squads. And that means only the Sunrise and Sunset champions will get the chance to play for the 2000 state title.

"It makes it even more legitimate," Las Vegas coach Sam Thomas said. "You'll definitely have the two best teams from here going to state."

Some of Thomas' fellow Sunrise Region coaches might disagree, pointing to the fact that all three squads to earn national rankings this season (Silverado, Green Valley, Basic) reside on the east side of town.

"We battled each other all year, and now we're going to play for one spot," Basic coach Mike Kazek said. "We've had a great region this season, but we've got to do it in the playoffs."

Kazek's team, which captured the tough Southeast Division and finished with a 23-4 record, will open Sunrise Tournament play Thursday against 5-20 Rancho. The Wolves are ranked No. 16 in Baseball America's Top 25 poll, but Kazek insists his club isn't taking the Rams lightly.

"We're not going to save players and look to the next game because that's a good way to start off 0-1," said Kazek, the Sunrise Region coach of the year.

Starting the event 0-1 will present a brutal road through the loser's bracket for clubs hoping to reach the title contest -- something Durango coach Mike Gomez knows only too well. Last season, his Trailblazers lost in the opening round to Green Valley before battling all the way back to win the state title.

"The easiest route is obviously 4-0," said Gomez, whose Blazers will open the Sunset Tournament against Centennial Thursday night at 7. "If you lose it will be a tough test for your pitching staff. Last year, we learned how tough it was to come back that way."

The Sunset side will get under way with a contest that could be among the first round's best -- Bishop Gorman vs. Palo Verde. Although the Gaels have playoff experience and a better regular season record, the Panthers beat Gorman 4-0 in the teams' only meeting.

Wednesday's Sunset late game looks like a mismatch on paper, as 1999 Southern Zone champion Cimarron-Memorial takes on Western, with the Warriors making their first playoff appearance in five years. But Western comes into the tournament playing its best ball of the season, fresh off a win over Clark and a one-run loss to Bonanza.

"It may not be the best team that wins this thing," Spartans coach Calvin Valvo said. "It will be who wants it more."

Sunrise action kicks off Wednesday with Silverado taking on Valley. That game will be followed by the first day's most anticipated matchup -- Las Vegas vs. Chaparral.

The Wildcats enter the tournament with a 20-10 mark and an 8-0 record in Northeast Division play. The Cowboys counter with a season of experience doing battle with the likes of Basic, Green Valley and Silverado in the Southeast.

"They're a good baseball team," said Thomas, whose club split with Chaparral during the regular season. "They swing the bat real well. Every team we're going to face in this thing will be tough."

On Thursday, Northeast runner-up Eldorado will take on Southeast No. 3 seed Green Valley, with the Gators just one year removed from a streak that saw them win six straight state titles. Green Valley's starting outfield of Dave Krynzel, Garrett Guzman and Ben Schiess played on the last of those championship squads -- something their coach hopes will be a factor this month.

"It's nice to have kids who have been to the big dance," Gators coach Nick Garritano said. "Hopefully, some of their experience will help us."

In Thursday's Sunset action, Cheyenne will open against Southeast No. 3 seed Bonanza, with the winner advancing to play either Durango or Centennial in round two.

* ALL-CONFERENCE TEAMS: Area coaches named their all-region teams on Monday, and Cimarron's David Seccombe took home the biggest prize. The senior shortstop /pitcher was selected MVP for all of Southern Nevada. Seccombe went 8-0 on the mound with a 0.80 ERA and 61 strikeouts in 43 innings, and also batted .420 with 28 RBIs and 27 runs scored.

Coaches also selected MVPs in each division. Las Vegas outfielder Andrew D'Angelo earned the nod in the Northeast, Chaparral first baseman Dan Habel and Green Valley's Guzman shared the honor in the Southeast, Durango outfielder/pitcher Brent Johnson received the award in the Southwest and Seccombe got the call in the Northwest.

Basic's Kazek and Bonanza's Rick Barry were named coaches of the year in their respective regions.