high school basketball:

Nevada’s best high school basketball team might still be debated after state tournament

Desert Pines and Clark are destined to meet for Division I-A title Saturday, thriving all season in the shadow of larger-classification schools Gorman and Centennial

Thursday, Feb. 21, 2013 | 2 a.m.

At the end of the Desert Pines High basketball team’s Tuesday practice, Jaguars coach Mike Uzan brought his players together underneath the basket on the far side of the gym and delivered a simple message: Let’s make history. Uzan urged them to seize the moment, reminding the teenagers their goal of being state champions was two victories away. As he talked to the players, some couldn’t help staring at a near empty wall behind the basket. That’s the place where schools hang their championship banners. But at Desert Pines, which opened in 1999, they’ve never had a state championship in ...

Ray Brewer can be reached at 990-2662 or ray.brewer@lasvegassun.com. Follow Ray on Twitter at twitter.com/raybrewer21.

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Discussion: 1 comments so far…

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By sportsarefun

Feb. 21, 2013

11:15 a.m.

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"What are we the little brother?" Uzan said

Welcome to the Division 1-A or old 3A Mr. Uzan. The NIAA treats its State Championship Tournaments and Region Tournaments for the lower classifications (Division 1A, III, and IV) as though they are the little brother. Playing a State semi-final in a high school gym is flat out embarrassing for the state of Nevada. We have a long ways to go as far as credibility goes. I was talking to a friend in Arizona and the small school classifications play their quarter-final, semi-final, and final all in college arena's. Utah is the same way.

I will say this though. Even though Desert Pines and Clark will be playing in high school gyms, I'm willing to bet they won't even fill up their side of the gym with fans. I bet Elko and Lowry (who will be traveling 400+ miles) will have more fans then the Vegas schools. If DP and Clark would have some support with their number of fans, if would force the NIAA to re-locate the Division 1A the next time state is down south to a college venue (Cox Pavilion) or the Orleans with the "big" boys Division 1.
By kirkland

Feb. 22, 2013

11:54 p.m.

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People wonder why High School Sports in Nevada does not get the exposure that other States get - just read this article. It is a joke that these former 4 A Schools are playing on a High School Gym instead of playing at the Orleans. The NIAA has never seen the light when it has come to building up their State Championships. No live TV or radio. It had it and then it went away. Why?

No court time at the Orleans- seem to remember when the NIAA was playing early morning games in Reno at UNR. So why could these games not be squeezed in and yet smaller enrollment schools get the time. Ticket sales, media exposure - NIAA does not know how to get this right. Hope that Del Sol is packed to see Clark play DP.