One win from state

By Brent Hinckley

Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2009 | 11 p.m.

It's time for some February Frenzy.

It may not have the same ring as March Madness, but then again high school basketball playoffs do not take place in March.

The postseason began on Feb. 17 as the 1A and 4A classifications held their opening playoff games. The 3A Southern League starts on Thursday and the 2A on Friday.

Boulder City High's postseason journey begins on Thursday at Desert Oasis as the boys team faces Faith Lutheran and the girls take on Moapa Valley.

It's a win-and-in situation this year for the league as the two teams that reach the league championship qualify for state. With just four teams in the league, it only takes a win in the first round to reach the final.

Obviously, the tougher task falls on the boys team, which is the No. 4 seed and faces No. 1 seed Faith Lutheran. Since joining the league five years ago, Faith Lutheran has not lost in the postseason and is the four-time defending state champion.

The Eagles have seven seniors who are looking to make a statement in their final trip to the postseason, and what a statement that would be if Boulder City took down the Crusaders.

The girls team is looking for its first trip to the state tournament since Boulder City reached the state finals in 2004 and lost on a last — second shot. They face a tough Moapa Valley team, which saw the teams split wins in the regular season.

This is also the final chance for senior Caiti Forrester, who should win the league's MVP award and really the state award as well. I highly doubt there is a player as valuable to her team anywhere in the state as Forrester is to the Eagles.

While on the subject of the postseason, congratulations to Boulder City junior Allen Haines who captured his first state championship on Feb. 14 at the state wrestling meet in Winnemuca. Haines pinned Lowry's Sean Raynor to win the 130-pound weight class.

This was Haines' third trip to the state tournament, but his first title after finishing in second place last year.

This was the third consecutive year Boulder City had an individual state champion, following Adam Beach (2007) and Danuel Pena (2008). With the first title out of the way, Haines is in a great position to repeat his efforts and claim a second title next year and close out his career as one of the Eagles' top wrestlers.

He will headline a strong class of seniors for Boulder City next year that will also include Steven Kaposta (second) and Jake Thormosgaard (third), who placed at this year's state meet.

So, kudos to the wrestling program and now get your popcorn ready and get excited because it is time for some basketball.

Brent Hinckley is the Boulder City News sports writer and can be reached at 990-7822 or [email protected].