Looking ahead at the week in high school sports
The high school sports season kicks off this week, with events beginning on Thursday. Here’s a look at some of the week’s top matchups.
FOOTBALL
Friday — Arbor View at Liberty, 7 p.m.
The Aggies were the 2015 Sunset Region runner-up, and they travel to face last season’s Sunrise Region champions and state runner-up Patriots in what should be one of the season’s top games.
Friday — Centennial at Desert Pines, 7 p.m.
The Jaguars are probably the favorites in Class 3A with five players who already have committed to play at Division I schools. They host a Centennial squad that expects to be a contender in the Class 4A Northwest League.
Saturday — Bishop Gorman at Cedar Hill (Texas), 6 p.m.
The Gaels have won the last two mythical national championships, but if they want to win a third, they’ll need to come out on top in this matchup of nationally ranked teams. Gorman is ranked No. 3 in the nation by USA Today, while Cedar Hill is No. 5. The game will be televised on ESPN2.
GIRLS GOLF
Thursday — Coronado vs. Palo Verde at TPC Las Vegas, 3 p.m.
Two of the state’s top teams meet in the season opener. Coronado is the two-time defending state champion, while the Panthers were third at state a year ago and return individual state champion Annick Haczkiewicz.
BOYS SOCCER
Thursday — Legacy at Tech, 3 p.m.
Tech came within one goal of winning last year’s Division I-A state championship and opens their season against a Legacy team that returns senior Matthew Beasley, a member of the 2015 Review-Journal all-state second team.
Thursday-Saturday — Southern Nevada Kick-off Classic at Green Valley, Tech and Cimarron-Memorial
The fourth-annual tournament begins at 3 p.m. on Thursday with play continuing on Friday at all three sites. Pool play wraps up on Saturday morning at Green Valley, with semifinals scheduled for 6 p.m. and 7:15 p.m. Saturday. The tournament concludes on Monday with a 6 p.m. championship game.
GIRLS SOCCER
Friday — Green Valley at Palo Verde, 3:30 p.m.
The teams split a pair of games last season, and each should finish near the top of its respective region this year. Palo Verde probably will have Southern Nevada’s best one-two punch in seniors Jadyn Nogues and Macee Barlow. The Gators, though, also have one of the top local players in senior Alexis Kirson, who finished with 30 goals and 10 assists last season.
GIRLS TENNIS
Thursday — Faith Lutheran at Foothill, 3 p.m.
Faith Lutheran came so close last year. In 2015 the squad came in second place in the team finals, singles finals and doubles finals. Thursday marks the start of its 2016 campaign.
GIRLS VOLLEYBALL
Friday-Saturday — Las Vegas Invitational at Foothill, Las Vegas and Rancho
The annual tournament features 27 local teams among its 38 participants. Play begins at 3 p.m. on Friday and 8 a.m. on Saturday.
