Centennial, Green Valley filled with some of valley’s top players

Adam Candee

Friday, March 12, 2004 | 10:03 a.m.

Memories of Green Valley star pitcher Jordan Parraz grabbing the ball and sprinting to first base for the clinching out of the 4A state title game are barely in the history books as the 2004 season began Thursday.

Yet memories will be all that most have of players like Parraz and teams of Green Valley's caliber at the dawn of this season. The baseball schedule begins with the usual powers still looking strong, but not quite as overwhelming as in years past or even last year.

"With all the schools opening, it's getting tougher to stockpile talent," Centennial coach Charlie Cerrone said.

And that is coming from a coach with one of the city's best returning groups in two-time All-State catcher Bryce Massanari, third baseman J.C. Leach and pitchers Jordan Smiley and Andy Primas. Centennial again appears to be the class of the Sunset Region with a senior class that could be almost as dangerous as last year's group that led the Bulldogs to a state tournament appearance.

Two years ago, the Bulldogs lost in the state championship game after their first highly successful season. They came into last season with bitter memories of the defeat, but still lost on the big stage. This season, there is more focus and humility, and no talk of revenge -- just how Cerrone likes it.

"I think they learned something," Cerrone said. "I think these seniors learned something from that."

Palo Verde, one of the most dangerous hitting teams in 2003, will against bring powerful bats to the field to challenge the Bulldogs in the Northwest Division. Cimarron-Memorial lost to the top pitching duo of Mike Dunn and Paul Schmidt, but strong-hitting senior infielder Jorge Esquivel will key the Spartans' offense.

In the Southwest Division, Sierra Vista began to rise from obscurity last season and the Lions look ready to contend again. Durango suffered through a difficult year with a young roster, but the traditionally solid Blazers could surprise this season. Bishop Gorman could be a factor as well.

Over in the Sunrise Region, the broken record continues to play Green Valley's tune. The Gators will field one of the city's deepest teams and Green Valley coach Nick Garritano hopes that a roster full of talent can translate onto wins on the field without a true superstar player like Parraz.

"This group is a totally different group than we've had in the past," Garritano said. "One through nine, I don't know what we'll be like. But the unique thing about this group is that 10 through 21, we're as good as we've ever been."

That means bringing together transfer players like Cameron Brown (Bishop Gorman), Arnold Toombs (Basic), Matt Sexton (Coronado) and Shawn Root (Galena) and meshing them with the old guard of standout like third baseman Brian Sizemore and shortstop Ryan Foley.

Last year's Gators rallied around their seniors in the playoffs to bring Green Valley yet another state championship and Garritano hopes his group finds some similar motivation.

"I'm just hoping that this team can play together," Garritano said. "I think chemistry is going to be the deciding factor if we're successful or not."

The Southeast Division promises to again display stiff competition throughout. Silverado lost a number of good players to graduation but shortstop Casey Coon and pitcher Dan Morris give the Skyhawks a solid base to build with on the way back to the state tournament. Coronado and Basic also promise to field respectable squads and Foothill has some young talent that could make the Falcons a handful.

Garritano feels that it's the same old Southeast.

"I don't expect anything different and I don't think any of the coaches are expecting anything different," Garritano said.

The Northeast Division does not appear to be particularly strong beyond perennial favorite Las Vegas. The Wildcats are a solid defensive team and always contend in the Sunrise playoffs.