Columnist Spencer Patterson: Area’s brightest football stars to clash Saturday

Spencer Patterson

Friday, May 26, 2000 | 9:51 a.m.

Spencer Patterson covers prep sports for the Las Vegas Sun. Reach him at spencer@lasvegassun.com or 259-4085.

One of the most storied classes in area history will be on display Saturday night when Southern Nevada's top senior football players get together for this year's Lions Club All-Star game.

The game, slated for 7 p.m. at Eldorado High School, will pit the best of the Sunrise Region against the stars of the Sunset. Las Vegas' Kris Cinkovich and Cimarron-Memorial's Greg Spencer will handle head coaching duties.

Expected to play for the Sunset squad are such luminaries as Cheyenne's Lynn McGruder (Tennessee), Durango's Jamaal Brimmer (UNLV), Bonanza's Adam Seward (UNLV), Cimarron's Taylor Miller (Utah) and Western's Marcus Levi (San Diego State).

Opposing that group will be a Sunrise team that includes Chaparral's John Ream (UCLA), Las Vegas' Jon Pollard (Oregon State), Rancho's Rod Lukes (Alcorn State) and Silverado's Steve Vaccaro (Alcorn State).

Cinkovich said practices this week have gone well, despite the fact that most of his players haven't played together before.

"They're respectful of each other because they've locked horns in the past," Cinkovich said. "What impresses me is how quickly they're learning out there. Most of them are in pretty good shape. You just cross your fingers and hope nobody gets hurt out there."

* ALL-CONFERENCE GOLF: After leading their teams to state and zone titles this spring, Durango's Randy Creighton and Green Valley's Drew Scott have been named Southern Nevada co-Golfers of the Year.

Creighton, a member of the Trailblazers' first state championship squad, finished sixth individually at the event. Scott, who helped the Gators to a zone title a week earlier, placed fifth overall at state.

Joining Creighton and Scott on the All-Southern Nevada first team are: Durango's Mitch Carlson and Chad Fosburg, Green Valley's Ryan Gomm and Nick Lorenz, Bonanza's Dana Wade, Bishop Gorman's Mark Leseberg -- the 2000 state individual champion -- and Palo Verde's Steve Crossley.

Green Valley's Del Sagers was named Southern Nevada Coach of the Year.

For a complete list of honorees, see page 8D.

* TIDBITS: Rob Shabansky, a 1995 Bishop Gorman graduate, has signed a free agent contract with the Diamondbacks and will report to Class-A High Desert (Calif.) next week. Shabansky spent the past five years at the University of Arizona, overcoming "Tommy John" arm surgery to return as a successful pitcher this spring. ...

Brent Johnson went 2-for-4 with a three-run homer to lead the Sunset Region squad to a 14-10 win in the 4A All-Star baseball game Wednesday night at Henderson's Burkholder Field. Johnson was named Sunset MVP, while Green Valley's David Krynzel earned Sunrise MVP honors after going 2-for-3. ...

The 2000 American Legion baseball season begins Tuesday night with two doubleheaders -- Las Vegas at Basic and Durango at Eldorado. Also on tap for opening night are several single games: Chaparral at Bonanza, Silverado at Palo Verde and Valley at Cimarron...

Cox Cable Channel 48 will take a look back at the 1999-2000 year in prep sports, beginning at 8 p.m. Sunday. The show, hosted by Tim Neverett and Trip Mitchell, will feature interviews with area coaches and players and will include special sections on Cimarron-Memorial's football championship, Bishop Gorman's boys basketball title and last week's 4A state baseball controversy. ...

Durango High School will host the Blazer Setting Clinic for boys and girls in grades 6-12 who are interested in volleyball. The clinic, which runs from July 5-8, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., costs $125. For more information, call Bob Kelly at 248-9455.