Columnist Ron Kantowski: The Elevator

Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2005 | 7:26 a.m.

Ron Kantowski's column appears on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Reach him at ron@lasvegassun.com or (702) 259-4088.

Who's headed toward the penthouse on the local sports scene -- and who's getting the shaft:

GOING UP

Kyle Busch: "Shrub," as he is called around the garage and in the Busch family compound, managed to steer clear of the other cars -- and the police cruisers of the Maricopa County sheriff's department -- to post his second NASCAR win of the season, in Phoenix on Sunday.

Herculez: The pride of Las Vegas High was all over the pitch during the Los Angeles Galaxy's 1-0 victory against the New England Revolution in Sunday's Major League Soccer Cup final. Herculez didn't add to his total of 11 goals in 22 games, but he had so many scoring chances that Henderson resident Kevin Sorbo, TV's "Hercules," is thinking about dropping the "s" and adding a "z."

Greg Estandia and Joe Miklos: Unlike some of their teammates, the UNLV senior tight end and senior safety haven't given up on a season that has been a hopeless case since ... well, about Week 3. "Greg is everything you'd want (in a football player)," UNLV coach Mike Sanford said. "Joe Miklos is the other one."

The UNLV volleyball team: The Rebels and second-year coach Allison Keeley beat Texas Christian University for their 10th Mountain West Conference victory of the season over the weekend -- a school record. UNLV's success rate will be seeking another spike against Utah and No. 16 BYU at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday at Cox Pavilion.

GOING DOWN

Kurt Busch: The Las Vegas native has a ton of talent in his right foot. His right brain is another matter. It's never a good idea to tell a law enforcement official that his mom looks like Jimmy Spencer, especially after you've just run a stop sign.

UNLV running game: In three of their past four games, the Rebels' rushing "attack" has piled up a grand total of five, two and two yards. That's only nine more than Red Grange had over the same period, although, it should be noted, the Galloping Ghost graduated in 1925.

JaJa Riley: The Ohio State transfer was touted as the next Red Grange after backing up Maurice Clarett on Ohio State's 2002 national championship team. He gained a grand total of 89 yards last year and 81 this year before it was time for Rebels coach Mike Sanford to take a page from the Rolling Stones' songbook: He decided to get his JaJa's out by kicking Riley off the team.

Marcus Banks: When he wasn't injured, the former UNLV whirling dervish was the gasoline in the Celtics' fuel tank the past two years. Trouble is that Boston coaches Doc Rivers, John Carroll and Jim O'Brien were the water. Banks couldn't blend with any of them so the Celtics have decided not to pick up the option on his $2.05 million contract for next season.