THE ELEVATOR

Saturday, Nov. 4, 2006 | 7:27 a.m.

Who's headed toward the penthouse in the world of local sports - and who's getting the shaft:

GOING UP

Mountain West hoops

The so-called experts (not to be confused with Dick Vitale) have predicted that if Jupiter aligns with Mars and peace guides the planets, the Mountain West may get three or maybe even four of its basketball teams in the Big Dance this year. On the women's side, the moon already is into the seventh house with New Mexico ranked 20th and BYU 24th in the preseason coaches' poll, and Utah and Texas Christian knocking on the Top 25 door at 28th and 31st. The Rebels and Lady Rebels had better lace up their high-tops real tight.

Katie Carney

UNLV's junior soccer star scored a goal with just two seconds remaining to lift the Rebels to a 1-0 victory over Wyoming in the Mountain West women's soccer championships Wednesday. Carney also scored the winning goal in UNLV's 1-0 overtime victory over New Mexico in last year's championship game and tallied another game-winner against TCU in last year's MWC quarterfinals. Just call her the Rebels' drama queen.

Leonard and Susan Mardian

The Las Vegas couple (he's a land developer) made a $500,000 donation to the Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation to aid the former Henderson race car driver's determined bid to regain use of his legs. The gift made the star on Las Vegas' Walk of Fame that Schmidt received last Saturday shine even brighter.

GOING DOWN

Ken Dalton

The only football coach in McQueen High of Reno's history with five state titles and a 211-61 record has been suspended after allegedly striking two McQueen students on Monday. Dalton, who has been McQueen's coach since the school opened in 1982, guided the Lancers to undefeated seasons in 1992, 1997, 2000 and 2002.

UNLV football

If it's November, that means UNLV is still getting blown out on the football field, and has turned to young players with the idea of getting them experience that will help the Rebels get better. This happens every year. The Rebels never get better. Might as well let the seniors play.

Pretty Boy Floyd

Have you seen that pinstripe suit and red silk blouse/fedora combo that Floyd Mayweather Jr. has been walking around in this week? The Las Vegan is the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world, but he still dresses like a villain on "Batman." Or Joe Frazier.