Columnist Adam Candee: Platt’s play should lift Gators past Palo Verde

Adam Candee

Thursday, Jan. 30, 2003 | 9:27 a.m.

Adam Candee covers high school sports for the Sun. Reach him at (702) 259-4085 or by e-mail at candee@lasvegassun.com.

Last week's trial run of prep basketball prognostications proved to be an exercise in mediocrity.

We nailed our girls pick, missing only by a handful of points on the final margin of Bishop Gorman's 66-51 win over Bonanza. Our boys pick, however, proved futile. Green Valley erased a halftime deficit to easily handle Foothill 77-69 in a game where the Falcons disappeared after the break.

So why not take another shot at picking a game of the week? We expect no mysterious disappearances of players (although academic ineligibilities take hold this time of year), and we know of no coaches with insider knowledge of their opponent, so our accuracy should top that of Super Bowl forecasters -- we hope. Boys No. 5 Palo Verde at No. 3 Green Valley Quick, name the best player on Green Valley. It likely took no more than a few seconds for "Mitch Platt" to scroll across your mental ticker.

OK, let's try again: Quick, name the best player on Palo Verde. No? Fine, name any player on Palo Verde. Take a second or third thought? That's exactly the point.

This Saturday night battle pits opposite clubs, for the simple reason that everything the Gators do, directly or otherwise, runs through 6-foot-10 center Platt. Conversely, the Panthers are creating their opportunities without the benefit of a true star.

The Gators solidified their hold on the Southeast Division by beating Foothill, thanks in large part to excellent contributions from forward Ron Dunlap and guard Marquis Pittman. Consistent play from the athletic Dunlap is a must for Green Valley, though the silly fouls he picked up Friday night are a concern.

For Palo Verde, the list of important players runs about five-deep, simply because the Panthers are not talented enough to go without any of their guns at any time. Lendor Coney and youngster Nate Schulte are raw, but show flashes of potential in the paint. Right now, though, it's all about scrapping and defense, because it can't be any other way.

For now, we'll take the Gators and their obvious advantage with Platt. But be warned: This Palo Verde team is one coaches do not want to see come playoff time.

THE PICK: Green Valley 60, Palo Verde 53 Girls No. 10 Western at No. 4 Bishop Gorman For the second consecutive Friday night, the Gaels find themselves facing a challenger to the Southwest Division throne. Western, though, might be a bit more formidable than was Bonanza last week.

The Gaels handled the Bengals with relative ease, storming through the latter stages of the game after struggling early. Western feasted on the weak siblings of the division last week, pounding Clark and Sierra Vista.

This is the second matchup between the teams, with Gorman scraping by in the first division matchup of the season, 62-59 at Western. Anyone surprised that Breona Gray scored 28 points and grabbed nine rebounds in that game needs a reality check.

LaMesha Walker and Renita Mitchell had big games for the Warriors, and it is imperative that the Gaels find a way to slow down the dangerous Walker.

Coach Sheryl Krmpotich always seems to have that one leader to call upon, and this season it's Gray. Expect that to make the difference as the Gaels put a stranglehold on the Southwest.

THE PICK: Bishop Gorman 70, Western 60