Looking ahead at the week in high school sports
Here’s a look at some of this week’s top high school sports events.
CROSS COUNTRY
Monday — Bud O’Dea Classic at Desert Breeze Park, 3:15 p.m.
The annual freshman-sophomore championships will highlight some of the area’s future cross country stars. The meet begins with the freshman boys race at 3:15 p.m., and concludes with an awards ceremony at 5:15. All races are 2.5 miles.
Saturday — Southern Nevada League Finals at Equestrian Park, 8 a.m.
The meet will feature four varsity races, and each league will be scored separately. The meet begins with the middle school boys race at 8 a.m. The first high school race, featuring the Southwest, Southeast and 3A Sunrise boys, will be at 9 a.m.
FOOTBALL
Friday — Green Valley at Basic, 7 p.m.
The “Henderson Bowl” is one of the area’s best rivalries, and this year should be no exception despite the fact that the teams are on opposite ends of the Southeast League standings. Basic is tied with Liberty atop the standings at 2-0, while Green Valley is looking for its first league win.
Friday — Centennial at Shadow Ridge, 7 p.m.
Centennial has been ranked in the coaches top 10 all season, but the Bulldogs now are in danger of missing the postseason. Centennial fell to 1-2 and fifth place in the Northwest League, and desperately needs a win. Shadow Ridge has been a surprise team, and the Mustangs are 4-1 with a half-game lead over Centennial for the Northwest’s final playoff spot.
GIRLS GOLF
Monday —Class 4A Sunset Region tournament at Siena, 11:30 a.m.
Bishop Gorman has won three straight team titles and is the favorite. Palo Verde, Centennial and Faith Lutheran are expected to battle for the final berth in the state tournament. Palo Verde’s Annick Haczkiewicz is the defending individual champion.
Monday — Class 4A Sunrise Region tournament at Chimera, 12:30 p.m.
Coronado is certain to run away with its fourth straight region crown. The only mystery is which one of the Cougars’ talented players will earn medalist honors. Sami Penor won the individual title last season.
Thursday — Class 3A Southern Region tournament at Falcon Ridge, Mesquite, noon
The tournament is up for grabs with Faith Lutheran no longer in this classification. Boulder City enters as the team to beat, and the Eagles are led by Lani Potter, who is the clear favorite to capture medalist honors.
BOYS SOCCER
Monday – Palo Verde at Cimarron-Memorial, 3:30 p.m.
Tied with Durango atop this week’s coaches’ poll, the Panthers have been tough to stop. Presten Manthey has had an incredible season, with 11 goals and 14 assists.
Thursday – Foothill at Green Valley 6 p.m.
Though unranked, the Falcons are not going down quietly. They are right on the heels of Southeast-leading Coronado, and have lost just once in league play after going 2-3-2 in non-league action.
GIRLS SOCCER
Monday — Silverado at Desert Oasis, 3 p.m.
The Diamondbacks take a break from trying to hold the top spot in the Southwest League for one final non-league match.
Silverado currently is in third place in the Southeast League and is a perennial Sunrise Region power, so a close matchup could be on the horizon.
Thursday — Silverado at Coronado, 3 p.m.
Silverado will be looking to avenge a 1-0 home loss to the Cougars on Sept. 20. Coronado, though, hasn’t lost a league match this season and could be on its way to a fifth consecutive league title.
Friday — Centennial at Shadow Ridge, 3 p.m.
Both teams are scratching and clawing for the final two playoff spots in the Northwest League. With only a handful of league matches remaining, every game becomes increasingly important. Faith Lutheran sits in fifth place in the league and will aggressively be chasing these teams down the stretch.
TENNIS
Saturday — Sunrise, Sunset and Southern Region individual finals at Darling Tennis Center, 8 a.m.
The individual singles and doubles region tournaments will come to a close with championship matches on Saturday. The Sunrise Region finals are scheduled for 8 a.m., followed by the 3A Southern Region at 10 a.m. and the Sunset Region at noon.
GIRLS VOLLEYBALL
Monday — Faith Lutheran at Centennial, 6 p.m.
A win by the Crusaders would inch them closer to the Northwest League’s No. 2 seed and a home match to open the postseason. Faith Lutheran defeated the Bulldogs in five sets in the first meeting.
Monday — Durango at Sierra Vista, 6 p.m.
The Trailblazers are alone in third place in the Southwest League following Friday’s win over Clark and well on their way to the postseason. The Mountain Lions could use a win in their fight for the No. 4 seed.
Thursday — Virgin Valley at Boulder City, 6 p.m.
Second place in the Class 3A Sunrise League and a home match in the postseason is at stake. The Eagles beat Virgin Valley in three sets in the first matchup behind 19 kills from Maggie Roe and 41 assists from Alea Lehr.