Columnist Spencer Patterson: Showdown at the Mack another success for preps

Spencer Patterson

Thursday, Feb. 1, 2001 | 10:01 a.m.

Spencer Patterson's prep sports column appears Thursday. Reach him at 259-4085 or spencer@lasvegassun.com.

While the seemingly endless parade of start-up professional teams struggles to generate interest among Las Vegans, one thing remains constant: a high-quality prep event can still pack fans into the stands.

That point was driven home Monday night, when Bishop Gorman and Durango waged a boys basketball battle at the Thomas & Mack, the first large-school contest played in years at the venue.

Fans from both schools, along with those without specific allegiances to either program, descended on the T&M, creating a big-game atmosphere in the midst of the regular season.

Rather than an aberration, the game was merely another in a succession of events this season that have helped bring prep basketball to the forefront of Southern Nevada's sports scene.

The annual Holiday Prep Classic got things started during winter break, with the always-competitive holiday tournament a raging success even by its own high standards.

With top-ranked teams such as Oak Hill Academy (Va.) and Mater Dei (Calif.) in attendance, and Bishop Gorman -- the area's top draw -- doing its part with inspired play, this year's event broke HPC single-game and overall attendance records.

Once school resumed, the first Nevada Sports Network Classic on Martin Luther King Day brought together the top boys teams from Northern and Southern Nevada, providing a preview of next month's 4A State Tournament. A well-run event, the NSNC was another hit with area fans, and could well become an annual favorite before long.

Monday night's game, part of a promotion by the IBL's Las Vegas Bandits, also offered hope the Thomas & Mack might be home to future prep endeavors. It was another way to spotlight the area's up-and-coming athletes beyond the normal scope of the high school sports scene.

ESPN interviewed six members of the squad along with head coach Bob Hubbard for the segment, which will also include highlights from the Gaels' 85-65 win over Durango at the Thomas & Mack Monday night. ESPN expects to air the piece in March.

The Spartans wound up with five individual champions: Josh Fitzgerald (145), Rayes Gonzales (152), Joe Tussing (189), Roderick Atwood (215) and Brandon Garcia (275). Western's Joe Pineda took the title at 140 pounds.

Host Virgin Valley took the trophy at the 15-team Mesquite Bulldog Growler, racking up 210 points to best second-place Rancho (160) and third-place Palo Verde (156). Five Bulldogs took home individual championships: Skyler Woods (130), Calvin Closson (135), Scott Woods (152), Josiah Jensen (171) and Humberto Lara (215).

Local 4A champions at the Growler were: Rancho's Chase Diller (112), Jared Medina (119) and Josh Medina (145), Palo Verde's Josh Walters (125), Basic's Aaron Martinez (160) and Cheyenne's Matt Bilyeu (275).

Also on Saturday, Las Vegas High remained red hot on the mats, winning the eight-team Mojave Classic. Silverado wound up second, with Durango close behind in third. Las Vegas' Greg Gifford (171) and Durango's Daniel Rosequist (112) were named the event's outstanding wrestlers.

Most area squads will take this weekend off in anticipation of next weekend's regional tournaments. Western will be the only club in action, with the Warriors heading to the 38-team Helix Invitational in La Mesa, Calif.

The Gaels' boys basketball team is ranked No. 21 in this week's Fox Fab 50 and No. 11 in the National Prep Poll.