FIELDER’S VOICES: Mark your calendar for a fun two weeks

If you don’t have a 2009 calendar yet, it’s time to get organized.

But don’t do it because you have to keep track of due dates, papers, those dreaded group projects, quizzes, tests or any other assorted horrors.

Do it so you can keep track of high school sports in Southern Nevada.

Here is at least one event per day over the next two weeks (minus Sundays) to keep you entertained and your mind off calculus.

Monday, Jan. 26 — Think of King Kong and Godzilla doing battle on the Strip.

When the Durango girls basketball team invades Bishop Gorman at 5 p.m., that’s along the lines of what you’ll see.

That is, (hopefully) as long as guards Mia Bell of Durango and Aaryn Ellenberg of Bishop Gorman go head-to-head.

Also, Eldorado boys basketball visits Desert Pines at 7 p.m.

Tuesday, Jan. 27 — This is a grand day on the basketball floor.

Green Valley girls basketball visits Silverado at 5 p.m. in a meeting of Southeast League heavyweights that already has the comments section lighting up with trash talk.

Also, two huge boys basketball games in the Northwest League: Mojave at Cheyenne and Legacy at Palo Verde. Both games start at 6:30 p.m., so I guess we’ll all have to make a tough choice.

Wednesday, Jan. 28 — Canyon Springs boys basketball visits Desert Pines at 7 p.m. in a game that will have a lot to say about the Northeast League title race.

Thursday, Jan. 29 — Eldorado wrestling visits Las Vegas at 5 p.m. in a dual meet between Northeast League rivals.

Friday, Jan. 30 — Green Valley girls soccer visits Coronado at 3 p.m. in an epic Southeast League showdown worthy of even a casual fan’s attendance.

Even after losing 13 seniors from last season’s Sunrise Region championship team, the Gators — like the Cougars — have run roughshod through the Southeast so far.

Also, keep an eye on a crucial boys basketball game in the Class 1A Southern League: Henderson International at Lake Mead, 6:30 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 31 — Trinity boys basketball visits Henderson International at 5:30 p.m. in a game that will enable either team to make a statement.

Monday, Feb. 2 — Mojave boys basketball visits Legacy at 6:30 p.m. in an intriguing matchup of an underachieving team (Mojave) against an overachieving team (Legacy).

Tuesday, Feb. 3 — Lake Mead boys basketball visits Needles (Calif.) at 6 p.m. in one of the top small-school games all season.

The curiosity of watching the defending Class 1A state champs square off with my pick to win the 2A Southern League is almost too much to bear.

Wednesday, Feb. 4 — Flip on ESPN and you might see one of your classmates mentioned.

That’s right, it’s signing day.

It seems like not a day goes by without a Southern Nevada gridiron warrior committing to one school or another. Or even de-committing.

This will be a day for all of us to go in circles scouring recruiting Web sites whose stars and rankings are about as accurate as my last history paper.

Even better, NevadaPreps.com can stop bugging recruits on their cell phones every day for updates.

It’s a win-win for everyone.

But amid the national media circus surrounding football signings, don’t lose sight of our soccer, track and cross country studs, either. They also sign on this day.

Thursday, Feb. 5 — Not a lot that jumps out, but Desert Pines boys basketball visits Las Vegas at 7 p.m. in what might be a fun game to watch.

I know, I’ve picked Desert Pines like a hundred times. You look at the schedule and try to come up with something better.

Friday, Feb. 6 — This is when the wrestling gets really fun to watch. Not that is wasn’t already.

The Sunrise Region meet kicks off at Las Vegas and the Sunset Region at Bonanza.

Also, the Class 2A Southern League meet begins at Laughlin.

Saturday, Feb. 7 — Dim the lights and gather around. Title bouts will be contested in the aforementioned region meets.

Also, keep an eye on the one-day Class 3A Southern League meet at Boulder City.

Monday, Feb. 9 — Lincoln County girls basketball visits Mountain View at 4:30 p.m. in a matchup that will pit two of the top small-school players against each other.

The question will be, can Mountain View’s depth surrounding guard Ellie Markwardt keep up with the depth surrounding Lincoln County’s Marissa Smerek?