Looking ahead at the week in high school sports
Here is a look at some of this week’s top high school sports events.
BASEBALL
Wednesday — Basic at Green Valley, 3:30 p.m.
A rematch of last year’s Sunrise Region title game, these teams appear to be among the best in the Sunrise again. Defending state champion Basic lost plenty of talent to graduation, but is coming off a tournament title at the Boras Classic in Phoenix.
Thursday — Desert Oasis at Sierra Vista, 3:30 p.m.
The Diamondbacks and coach Paul Buboltz renew their rivalry with the Mountain Lions as part of a three-game Southwest League series. Buboltz was a former assistant at Sierra Vista.
Friday — Centennial at Arbor View, 3 p.m.
This is the final game of a three-game series, and things generally get interesting when these Northwest League rivals meet. Centennial won all three meetings last season, including a 1-0 win in the Sunset Region tournament.
BOYS GOLF
Wednesday — Northwest League match at Highland Falls, noon
Defending state champion Palo Verde is the favorite, but it could be an interesting battle for second between Arbor View, Centennial and Faith Lutheran.
SOFTBALL
Monday — Palo Verde at Shadow Ridge, 3:30 p.m
The final two teams standing in the Sunset Region last season meet in a three-game series to open Northwest League play. The host Mustangs are the defending region champions.
Tuesday — Arbor View at Centennial, 3:30 p.m.
The Aggies visit the Bulldogs for the first of three games between the Northwest League contenders.
Thursday — Desert Oasis at Sierra Vista, 3:30 p.m.
The rivals are expected to compete for the Southwest League title, and this marks the second game of a three-game series to open the season.
SWIMMING
Saturday — Bonanza vs. Palo Verde at Multi-Generational, 8 a.m.
The Palo Verde girls have won two straight state titles and the boys have won four in a row. The defend their crowns in their first meet against Bonanza .
Saturday — Boulder City vs. Silverado at Municipal, 9:45 a.m.
The Boulder City boys have won the state title every year since 2011, while the girls have won four straight dating back to 2013. The Class 3A squad will face Class 4A Silverado to open the season.
TRACK AND FIELD
Saturday — Liberty Invitational at Liberty, 9 a.m.
Nineteen teams meet in Southern Nevada’s only weekend meet, which will be a showcase for smaller schools meeting bigger ones. Defending Division I-A (now Class 3A) boys state champion Desert Pines is there, as well as Lincoln County, which finished third at state last season in Division III (now Class 2A) on the boys side.
BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Tuesday — Las Vegas at Centennial, 6 p.m.
The Wildcats are playing one of Southern Nevada’s toughest non-conference schedules and for good reason. They plan on being there at the end, and matches like this will prepare them. This one features two of the state’s top outside hitters in Las Vegas’ Brandon Kampshoff and Centennial’s Kade Frischknecht.
Wednesday — Palo Verde at Foothill, 6 p.m.
The Panthers have made two state tournament appearances in a row and a third seems imminent this season. Only a sophomore, Scott Solan is ready to lead the charge. Here, they’ll face last season’s state runner-up.
Wednesday — Las Vegas at Coronado, 6 p.m.
One of these teams could win the Sunrise Region this season. The perennial powers will provide some clarity to the rest of their region here.
Friday — Green Valley at Palo Verde, 6 p.m.
The defending state champs face the Panthers, who won state in 2015. This one could be a preview of a state tournament match.