Looking ahead at the week in high school sports
Here is a look at some of the week’s top high school sporting events.
BOYS BASKETBALL
Monday — Clark at Durango, 6:30 p.m.
Second place in the Southwest League is on the line as the second-ranked Chargers (5-1) take on the Trailblazers (5-2). Clark has won nine of its last 10 games, but the emergence of freshman Anthony Hunter has made Durango more dangerous.
Wednesday — Faith Lutheran at Centennial, 6:30 p.m.
The top two teams in the Northwest League face off in this one, as the Bulldogs (7-0) host the Crusaders (7-1). Nic Maccioni has given Faith Lutheran a consistent scoring presence this season, but knocking off Troy Brown and the Bulldogs will be a tough task. Centennial won 69-50 when the teams met in December.
Thursday — Cheyenne at Desert Pines, 6:30 p.m.
The Jaguars are looking for a measure of revenge in this one after Cheyenne pulled the upset on Jan. 2, winning 56-52. Desert Pines just got more dangerous, as Shadow Ridge transfer Jerell Springer finally became eligible and played for the first time in a two-point loss to second-ranked Clark on Saturday.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Monday — Las Vegas at Canyon Springs, 5 p.m.
The Wildcats and host Pioneers both are 3-0 in the Northeast League, and the winner will have the inside track to a No. 1 seed for the Sunrise Region tournament. Canyon Springs has won seven straight and is No. 7 in the Southern Nevada Girls Basketball Coaches Poll.
Tuesday — Legacy at Shadow Ridge, 5 p.m.
The Longhorns and host Mustangs are two of the four teams fighting for a playoff spot behind Centennial in the Northwest League. No. 10 Legacy won the first meeting 52-20 on Dec. 12 behind 14 points from Rory Carter.
Thursday — Western at Mojave, 5:30 p.m.
The outcome of this game should go a long way toward deciding the Sunset League’s No. 4 seed for the Class 3A Southern Region tournament. The Warriors won the first matchup 51-48 on Jan. 3, as Adrianna Jones had a game-high 21 points.
Friday — Spring Valley at Liberty, 5 p.m.
At the risk of being too blunt, this game looked a lot bigger two months ago, as the fifth-ranked Grizzlies have struggled more than expected in their transition to Class 4A. No. 2 Liberty is back at full strength with the return of Kaily Kaimikaua two weeks ago.
FLAG FOOTBALL
Monday — Desert Oasis at Sierra Vista, 4:30 p.m.
Desert Oasis lost to the Mountain Lions, 25-21, on Dec. 15 in a nonleague game, but this rematch holds a little more weight. The Diamondbacks are undefeated in the Southwest League play at 4-0, while Sierra Vista is 3-1 and tied for second place with Bonanza. A win for the Mountain Lions here could lead to a league title.
Tuesday — Centennial at Cimarron-Memorial, 4:30 p.m.
Centennial, which was last season’s Clark County School District champion, appears to be headed for a deep postseason run again. This game could serve as a preview of this year’s Sunset Region title game. The Bulldogs will get all they can handle against one of Southern Nevada’s top offense, led by Tiarra Del Rosario, Alyssa Karpinski and Logan DeLong.
Wednesday — Boulder City at Virgin Valley, 4:30 p.m.
Virgin Valley hasn’t lost in Sunrise League play, but don’t count out the Eagles in Mesquite. Kenadee Bailey is one of the sport’s top all-around players and probably will put up monster numbers in this one.
Thursday — Green Valley at Foothill, 4:30 p.m.
The winner here could be headed for the Southeast League title. Green Valley currently sits in first place, but the Falcons are primed for a late-season run. Madisyn McArthur and Whitley Brow will be looking to avenge a 26-13 loss to the Gators on Jan. 3.
WRESTLING
Thursday — Las Vegas at Canyon Springs, 6 p.m.
One of the state’s best, 120-pound Wildcat Antonio Saldate, puts his 50-4 record up against Edwin Gutierrez of the Pioneers, who is 21-6 this season.
Wednesday — Cimarron-Memorial at Shadow Ridge, 6 p.m.
The whole meet should be entertaining, but keep an eye on the lightweights. Shadow Ridge’s 106-pound Javier Zuniga is 40-7 this season with 25 pins and is expected to face the Spartans’ Lance Crespo, who is 22-13 this year.