Green Valley baseball aims for state title

Aaron Thompson / Special to the Home News

Green Valley High senior baseball player Jordan Van Hoosier chases down a grounder at practice. Van Hoosier was recently named a Preseason All-American by Louisville Slugger.

By Ray Brewer (contact)

Thursday, March 12, 2009 | midnight

Nick Garritano's voice becomes full of enthusiasm when he talks about the history of the Green Valley High baseball program he helms.

The Gators have captured eight state titles since opening in 1992, including six straight from 1993 to 1998, and Garritano does not hesitate telling his players how fortunate they are to wear the Green Valley blue and green.

"I'd be cheating these kids, this community and the high school not to strive to reach their expectations each year," said Garritano, who is entering his 11th year as head coach. "The goal at Green Valley every year has always been to win the state championship."

Green Valley opens the season at 3:30 p.m. March 12 against visiting Las Vegas High looking to break a streak that Garritano admits has made him restless. The nationally respected program, a status the coach argues still exists, has not won a state championship since 2003.

"It's been a dry spell," he said.

To make matters worse, longtime rival Bishop Gorman has become a power — locally and nationally. The Gaels, which are ranked No. 1 in the nation by multiple preseason pools, have won three straight state titles and appear to have enough talent to make a run at Green Valley's streak of six consecutive state championships.

That does not sit well at the Henderson-area school.

The school's state titles and other notable awards are documented on the outfield fence at Fairless Field — named after Rodger Fairless, the program's first coach who led them to the six consecutive titles — but the list of achievements is noticeably short after the 2003 season.

"Gorman, hands down, is the team to beat in the state of Nevada," Garritano said. "I respect coach Fairless so much. I hate to see that has happened on my watch."

Garritano took over for Fairless, who left to start the program at the College of Southern Nevada, in 1999.

The Gators captured state in 2001 and 2003, and have won the last two Sunrise Regional crowns. But Gorman has been the team in the spotlight, including beating Green Valley 7-3 in last year's championship game.

"On paper, Gorman is probably still the better team," Green Valley senior infielder Jordan Van Hoosier said. "Gorman definitely has the experience. They have guys who have been there three or four years.

Green Valley returns nine players, including pitchers Dan Levine and Nick Libonati. Van Hooiser, a preseason All-American by BaseballNews.com, and sophomore shortstop Brett Harrison will anchor the infield.

Ray Brewer can be reached at 990-2662 or ray.brewer@hbcpub.com.