Ray Brewer

Sports Editor

Ray has been covering sports in Southern Nevada since 1996. His work is regularly honored by the Nevada Press Association.

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Debating whether UNLV should continue series with San Diego State: Saturday, Feb. 11, 2012; Thanks for the memories, San Diego State. That’s the response every UNLV official should be familiar with when asked about continuing the basketball series with the Aztecs. Thanks, but no thanks.
With four teams sharing 11-3 records, Foothill wins Southeast basketball crown on point differential: Friday, Feb. 10, 2012; In a league with four equally matched teams fighting for supremacy, the Foothill High basketball squad created separation from the pack Friday in the final eight minutes of the regular season. The Falcons outscored visiting Silverado 24-8 in the fourth quarter of a 74-53 win to force a four-way first place tie in the Southeast Division.
Centennial beats Palo Verde again to capture Northwest crown, No. 1 playoff seed: Friday, Feb. 10, 2012; The Centennial High basketball team won the Northwest Division title Friday, beating rival Palo Verde 71-65 to earn the league’s No. 1 seed in next week’s Sunset Regional playoffs. Last year, Centennial also won the Northwest and advanced to the Sunset Regional semifinals game before falling to Sierra Vista.
Mojave High grad 'living a dream' at Murray State: Donte Poole having a breakout year for Racers, which went undefeated until Thursday night; Friday, Feb. 10, 2012; Murray State guard Donte Poole remembers playing basketball games in front of 500 or less fans. He remembers how few media, if any, covered the games.
Silverado basketball blows fourth quarter lead, then rallies for win in final seconds: The Skyhawks take sole possession of first place in the Southeast with an 11-2 record; Thursday, Feb. 9, 2012; The Silverado High basketball team led visiting Coronado by nine points Wednesday in the fourth quarter of a key Southeast Division game, but faded down the stretch in surrendering a 15-4 scoring run to trail by four points with less than a minute remaining.
Who would you like to see inducted into UNLV Athletics Hall of Fame?: University accepting nominations for 2012 class through Feb. 27; Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2012; Attention UNLV fans: Here is your chance to get a former Rebel inducted into the UNLV Athletics Hall of Fame. The university announced Wednesday it is accepting nominations for the 2012 class.
Coach shuffling for UNLV staff results in new offensive, defensive coordinators: Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2012; The UNLV football coaching staff has been rearranged with third-year coach Bobby Hauck moving assistant coach Brent Myers to offensive coordinator and J.D. Williams to defensive coordinator.
Tickets for Saturday's San Diego State game selling quickly: Officials expect highly anticipated game against the Aztecs to sellout before game day; Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2012; About 700 tickets remain for the UNLV basketball team’s 1 p.m. Saturday game against visiting San Diego State at the Thomas & Mack Center and school officials anticipate a sellout before the day of the game. A majority of the remaining seats are located in the balcony section and priced starting at $25. There are a handful of seats in the plaza (the lower bowl), but those are single tickets.
Green Bay Packers favored to win 2013 Super Bowl: Monday, Feb. 6, 2012; The Green Bay Packers have been installed as the betting favorites to win the 2013 Super Bowl by oddsmakers at sportsbook.com The Packers are listed at 5-to-1 odds, meaning a $100 wager would payout $500 if the Packers were victorious next February in New Orleans.
Rebels fall three spots in both polls following weekend loss at Wyoming: Monday, Feb. 6, 2012; The UNLV basketball team dropped three spots Monday in the Associated Press poll to a No. 14 national ranking, falling after losing last Saturday by two points at Wyoming. In the coaches’ poll, the Rebels fell three slots to No. 16.
Valley uses 15-0 run in the fourth quarter to dispose of Las Vegas: Saturday, Feb. 4, 2012; Chris Swanson was fouled hard on an aggressive drive the rim in the third quarter Friday night, being knocked to the floor and landing with a loud thud several in the gymnasium could hear. The Valley High point guard was in clear pain underneath the basket, needing a minute to regain his strength before finishing the Vikings’ home against rival Las Vegas High. The 5-foot-9, 135-pound Swanson could have easily avoided contact the rest of the night.
Durango basketball player Tuss commits to Air Force: Friday, Feb. 3, 2012; Durango High basketball player Joe Tuss has verbally committed to Air Force, Trailblazers’ coach DeShawn Henry said. Tuss, a 6-foot-7 shooting guard who is averaging 18.4 points and seven rebounds per game, was also recruited by Eastern Washington and Loyola Chicago.
Two from Findlay Prep, Gorman's Shabazz Muhammad picked for elite all-star game: Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012; Three local high school basketball players on Thursday were selected for the Jordan Brand Classic team.
Legacy's D’Andre Hughes signs with Nebraska-Kearney football: Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012; D’Andre Hughes entered his senior season last fall on the Legacy High School team as a relative unknown performer. That quickly changed once he got the football in his hands. He carried the ball 67 times for 1,345 yards and 14 touchdowns in the tough Northwest Division, displaying his 11.1 second speed in the 100 meters to become a college prospect. On Wednesday, Hughes signed a letter of intent with the University of Nebraska-Kearney.
From blue chip prospects to Division II recruits keeping the dream alive, signing day produced several memories in Las Vegas: Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012; Every high school football player has a different story to share on national signing day. There are usually plenty of tears of joy, smiles and hugs from loved ones, and the look of relief on the faces of recruits as they officially commit to a college by signing a letter of intent. Getting to the day, which always falls on the first Wednesday of February, is typically easier said than done for the athletes. In Las Vegas, this year’s recruiting cycle produced more than its share of noteworthy events. Here are some of their stories:
Instant Analysis: Giving up 11 straight points could have spelled disaster for UNLV basketball: Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2012; This scoring run could have been problematic in seasons past. When the UNLV basketball team surrendered 11 consecutive points Wednesday to open the second half against visiting Colorado State, trimming a 13-point halftime lead to just two points, the Rebels could have easily tightened up and eventually lost the game.
Basic lineman J’Ondray Sanders has unlimited potential, set to sign with UNLV football: The 6-foot-4, 260-pound Sanders is expected to be the lone local to sign with hometown school, fits into Hauck's desires of having big and athletic linemen; Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2012; When J’Ondray Sanders begins his morning workout session in the Basic High School weight lifting room, the senior can’t help but noticing other students in the weight training class staring in his direction. Sanders, you see, is the big man on campus — and not because of his 6-foot-4, 260-pound frame. Ever since Sanders verbally committed in early January to the UNLV football program, the offensive lineman’s popularity has spiked in the first period class of mostly football players. Sanders on Wednesday will sign a national letter of intent with UNLV, becoming the first Basic player in more than 15 years to go directly to a Division I program.
Gorman's Philippi, Scoggins Jr. switch commitments from New Mexico to UNLV: Hours before signing day, the hometown Rebels add a pair of three-star local prospects; Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2012; The UNLV football program appears to have cleared a major recruiting hurdle. Late Tuesday night, two highly regarded three-star prospects from perennial local power Bishop Gorman High switched their verbal commitments from New Mexico to UNLV.
Jared Tuilagi of Liberty headed to North Dakota football, to play against cousin each year: Monday, Jan. 30, 2012; Jared Tuilagi already has this college football game circled on his calendar. Tuilagi, an outside linebacker from Liberty High, verbally committed Monday to the University of North Dakota following a weekend visit. One glance at North Dakota’s schedule and Tuilagi can easily spot the game he’s looking forward to playing in the next four years — against Southern Utah.
Palo Verde's Garcia-Williams to sign with Hawaii: Monday, Jan. 30, 2012; Palo Verde High linebacker Jerrol Garcia-Williams verbally committed to the Hawaii football program Sunday after a recruiting trip, picking new coach Norm Chow’s program over scholarship offers from UNLV and San Diego State because Hawaii coaches said he’ll immediately compete for playing time.
Rebels ranked No. 11 in the Associated Press poll, No. 13 by the coaches: Monday, Jan. 30, 2012; The UNLV basketball team jumped one spot Monday in the weekly Associated Press poll to a No. 11 national ranking. In the coaches’ poll, the Rebels climbed two spots to No. 13.
Mike Moser's gritty performances earn the sophomore league player of the week honors: Monday, Jan. 30, 2012; Mike Moser was simply unstoppable last week for the UNLV basketball team. In a pair of overtime victories, Moser averaged 22.5 points and 16.5 rebounds per game, leading the Rebels to tough road wins in games they arguably should have lost.
For his efforts, the 6-foot-8 sophomore forward was named the Mountain West Conference Player of the Week for the week ending Jan. 29.
Liberty football player P.J. Taeao picks Southern Utah: Sunday, Jan. 29, 2012; Liberty High senior lineman P.J. Taeao verbally committed to the Southern Utah University football program after a weekend recruiting trip. The 6-foot-1, 300-pound Taeao, who was a four-year starter up and excelled this past fall on both sides of the ball, will play defensive tackle at the next level.
Green Valley boys more than a one-player show in victory against Silverado: Top player and DePaul commit Durrell McDonald leads the way for Gators, but others contribute in win; Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012; With less than a minute remaining in Friday’s basketball game, Green Valley High senior guard Durrell McDonald dribbled past the full court press of defenders from visiting Silverado High and found himself in the clear on the fast break. Instead of continuing for what would have been an easy two points, the guard riffled a perfect pass to teammate Devan Kohn near the basket. Kohn easily converted the layup, putting on the final touches in Green Valley’s 71-58 victory.
Wanting to leave Las Vegas for college, Gorman's Marc Phillipi picks New Mexico football over UNLV: With national signing day approaching, Centennial's Jacobi Owens also makes a commitment — picking Air Force; Friday, Jan. 27, 2012; The New Mexico football program has landed another prospect from Southern Nevada in a direct recruiting battle with hometown UNLV. Bishop Gorman High safety and linebacker Marc Phillipi verbally committed to New Mexico Friday, picking the Lobos and new coach Bob Davie over offers from UNLV and Navy. Gorman coach Tony Sanchez confirmed the news.
Las Vegas High kicker Jay Mattox rated as one of the nation's best, earns spot at elite showcase: Thursday, Jan. 26, 2012; Jay Mattox places a football on the kicking tee, paces out a few steps and lines up a field goal attempt. Seconds later, he lets fly on a long-range kick, easily drilling the ball through the uprights from about 40 yards out. He quickly reviews the mechanics of the kick, decides if adjustments need to be made and reaches for another ball to continue the practice session. It’s end of January, some seven months before Mattox’s senior season will begin at Las Vegas High, and the 5-foot-11 the left-footed kicker is busy trying to master his craft.
Shabazz Muhammad, Anthony Bennett two of nine Nevadans nominated for McDonald's game: A player from Las Vegas has played in the prestigious showcase the last three years; Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2012; Nine high school basketball players from Nevada last week were nominated for the 2012 McDonald’s All-American Games, including highly regarded Bishop Gorman High senior Shabazz Muhammad and Findlay Prep post player Anthony Bennett. A Las Vegas player has been selected for the game in each of the last three years — Findlay’s Avery Bradley (2009), Findlay’s Cory Joseph and Tristan Thompson, and Bishop Gorman girls’ player Aaryn Ellenberg (2010), and Findlay’s Myck Kabongo (2011).
Gorman football's 2012 schedule includes game in Hawaii: Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2012; The Bishop Gorman High football team’s schedule for 2012 is starting to take shape, including a road game over Labor Day weekend in Hawaii against Honolulu power St. Louis High. The three-time defending state champion Gaels, who last fall finished ranked nationally in the top 10, tentatively have four games scheduled against high-caliber national opponents and could play a fifth out-of-state foe if again invited to the mid-August Sollenberger Classic in Arizona.
Rebels climb two spots to No. 12 in AP rankings, No. 15 in coaches' poll: MWC league leader San Diego State at No. 12 ahead of Rebels in coaches' poll; Monday, Jan. 23, 2012; The UNLV basketball is ranked for the sixth straight week, jumping two spots Monday to No. 12 in the Associated Press poll after a pair of double-digit wins last week. In the coaches’ poll, the Rebels climbed five spots to No. 15.
Anthony Marshall's stellar performances rewarded with league Player of the Week award: The junior guard had a career-high 27 points against TCU and tallied 18 assists over two games; Monday, Jan. 23, 2012; Anthony Marshall’s impressive week for the UNLV basketball team was rewarded Monday. The junior guard from Las Vegas was named the Mountain West Conference Player of the Week, sharing the honor with Wyoming forward Leonard Washington for games through Jan. 22
Gorman's Ron Scoggins Jr. verbally commits to New Mexico football: Sunday, Jan. 22, 2012; The opportunity to be part of helping New Mexico rebuild its football program is something Ron Scoggins Jr. can’t wait to be part of. Scoggins, an offensive lineman from three-time defending state champion Bishop Gorman High, verbally committed to New Mexico Sunday night. He visited this weekend and made an announcement to during the Gaels’ end-of-the-year banquet.
Instant Analysis: UNLV's blowout victory against New Mexico caps great day of hoops: Saturday, Jan. 21, 2012; Talk about a great day of basketball in Southern Nevada. If you were like me, you camped out all day on the UNLV campus for the festivities. Take time to catch your breath. It was an awesome day — especially the final game for the supporters of the scarlet and gray.
Winston Shepard, Nigel Williams-Goss lead Findlay Prep to double-digit win against Gorman: Saturday, Jan. 21, 2012; Findlay Prep senior forward Winston Shepard has the reputation of being one of the nation’s elite high school basketball defenders. On Saturday, his performance in guarding the nation’s consensus top recruiting prospect solidified the claims of his defensive ability. Shepard served as the primary defender against Bishop Gorman High’s Shabazz Muhammad during the annual Gorman-Findlay game at Cox Pavilion, holding Muhammad scoreless in the third quarter while Findlay opened a double-digit lead in a 73-61 victory.
Local, national dignitaries in the stands to watch Findlay beat Gorman, 73-61: Saturday, Jan. 21, 2012; Here’s yet another sign that Saturday’s Bishop Gorman-Findlay Prep high school basketball game is the hottest ticket in town: The list of notables in attendance at the Cox Pavilion included: U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, UFC owners Frank and Lorenzo Fertitta, UNLV coaching legend Jerry Tarkanian and more.
Centennial tops Palo Verde in Northwest showdown thanks to unlikely source: Saturday, Jan. 21, 2012; The Centennial High basketball team took sole possession of first place in the Northwest Division Friday by winning a back-and-forth affair against host Palo Verde, 67-64. On most nights when the Bulldogs are victorious, it is brothers Malcolm and Marcus Allen leading the way, or senior center player Evan Martin controlling the paint on the inside.
Tickets remain for sold-out Findlay-Gorman game on StubHub ... for $201: Friday, Jan. 20, 2012; Fans without tickets to the sold-out high school basketball game today between Bishop Gorman and Findlay Prep at the 2,500-seat Cox Pavilion still had a shot at getting them, but not cheaply.
Toughest ticket in town: Gorman, Findlay Prep ready for anticipated showdown: Friday, Jan. 20, 2012; When Bishop Gorman High basketball coach Grant Rice left his office Thursday afternoon for practice, he jokingly said he needed to lock his desk to guard what was on the inside. The veteran coach wasn’t talking about keeping his car keys or wallet safe. Rather, it was a batch of tickets to his team’s Saturday game against Findlay Prep at the Cox Pavilion he was worried about.
Findlay Prep's Anthony Bennett talks about his recruitment, will be a game-time decision against Gorman: Thursday, Jan. 19, 2012; A pulled right hamstring is limiting Findlay Prep senior forward Anthony Bennett and could force the prized UNLV recruit out of Saturday’s anticipated showdown against Bishop Gorman High at the Cox Pavilion. The 6-foot-7 Bennett, a consensus top-10 prospect, is considered day-to-day with the nagging injury and was a non-participant for most of Thursday’s practice.
Instant Analysis: No hangover for UNLV after Saturday setback, Rebels hit century mark: Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2012; I expected the UNLV basketball team to come out sluggish Wednesday against visiting TCU. I was wrong. Four days after losing in the final seconds at San Diego State, the Rebels opened the game against TCU on an 18-2 run in cruising to an easy 101-78 victory.
Link to highlights of Shabazz Muhammad's dunk, which was selected as one of SportsCenter's top Monday plays: Bishop Gorman High senior scored 37 points in leading Gaels to victory against nation's No. 5 ranked team; Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2012; It’s not everyday where a play from a high school athlete cracks the exclusive list of SportsCenter's top 10 plays. Then again, there aren’t too many players with the talent of Bishop Gorman High senior Shabazz Muhammad.
About 3,000 tickets remain for Saturday's home game against New Mexico: Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2012; A limited number of tickets remain for the UNLV basketball team’s Saturday home game against Mountain West Conference foe New Mexico. There are approximately 3,000 balcony seats left in the 18,485 capacity Thomas & Mack Center, and just a handful of single-seat openings on the lower bowl, according to school officials.
UNLV falls two spots to No. 14 in Associated Press rankings: Monday, Jan. 16, 2012; The UNLV basketball team dropped two spots Monday in the Associated Press rankings, falling to No. 14 after losing by two points Saturday at San Diego State in the Mountain West Conference opener. In the coaches’ poll, the Rebels (16-3, 0-1 MWC) fell from No. 12 last week all the way to No. 20 — four spots behind San Diego State, which came in at No. 16.
Decision to leave high school early for college football dreams a no-brainer for local player: Monday, Jan. 16, 2012; The benefits behind a high school football player graduating a semester early to enroll in college and participate in spring practice always confused me.
Why rush growing up?
Free public viewing of Mendenhall Center set for Jan. 28: Friday, Jan. 13, 2012; Attention UNLV basketball fans: Here’s your chance to get a tour of the Rebels’ new state-of-the-art practice facility. The Mendenhall Center will be open 1 p.m. to 3 Jan. 28 for a free public tour, giving fans a look at the three-level, 38,000 square foot facility.
Palo Verde's Eris Winder elevating his game, leads Panthers past Cheyenne: Thursday, Jan. 12, 2012; Palo Verde High junior guard Eris Winder is starting to make an argument for being classified as one of best basketball players in the Las Vegas Valley for the class of 2013. Winder scored the Panthers’ final five points Wednesday in a 70-66 win against host Cheyenne, helping his team prevail despite nearly blowing an 18-point lead in the fourth quarter.
UNLV adds 13th game to 2012 football schedule, will open with three straight home games: Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2012; The UNLV football team added a game to its 2012 schedule this week, booking a home contest Sept. 8 at Sam Boyd Stadium against Northern Arizona for a 13th game.
NCAA rules allowed the Rebels to schedule the extra game because they play next fall at Hawaii. It gives them seven home games, with UNLV playing its initial three games at home for the fourth time in school history.
Don't expect the good times to stop anytime soon for UNLV basketball: Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2012; I should have put my cell phone on silent. In the middle of interviewing UNLV basketball coach Dave Rice with a group of reporters in November, my cell phone rang. I couldn’t hit the silent button quick enough. The call interrupted the coach in the middle of a sentence. Rice politely asked if I needed to take it. He was unfazed, like he has been all season in leading UNLV to a 16-2 overall record and No. 12 national ranking. I told him it was my wife — and that I’d call her back. If it were the previous week, the coach said jokingly, I would have talked to her right then. It’s easy to see his logic.
Las Vegas HS quarterback Hasaan Henderson picks UNR over UNLV: The Rebels, however, gain a commitment from a local lineman, are in contention for two from power Bishop Gorman; Monday, Jan. 9, 2012; Las Vegas High quarterback Hasaan Henderson this weekend verbally committed to the UNR football program, picking the Northern Nevada school over UNLV.
Sisters earn respect on the wrestling mat: Monday, Jan. 9, 2012; When high school wrestler Meghan Clarke steps on the mat for a match with her junior varsity team at Shadow Ridge High School, the sophomore with long, curly blonde hair and a sweet smile knows people are watching in amazement.
Western High girls’ basketball team captures spirit of school's turnaround: Saturday, Jan. 7, 2012; With just 10 minutes remaining for practice, high school sophomore guard Jocelyn Jordan hustles onto the basketball floor, out of breath. She’s late. Again. Jordan had jogged from the city bus stop on Decatur Boulevard near the school, ending her daily two-bus, hourlong journey just in time to join the last minutes of a scrimmage.