FIELDER’S CHOICES: Same old, same old in girls hoops … or is it?
Circle Feb. 25 on your calendar.
That’s the day I’ll be at the Orleans Arena, waiting for Centennial to tip off against Bishop Gorman for the Class 4A girls basketball state title at 6 p.m.
We’re only a few weeks into the season, but I’m ready to predict that we’ll see yet another installment of one of the state’s best rivalries — with all the chips on the table.
But there are still plenty of reasons to look forward to this season. Playoff races figure to be tight in several leagues. As I promised last week, here are my predictions:
Northwest League
Champion: Centennial
Runner-up: Legacy
Darkhorse: Cimarron-Memorial
Legacy has a chance to make a postseason run, but as evidenced by its 42-point loss to Centennial last week, the Bulldogs will get to keep their league title.
Runner-up: Legacy
Darkhorse: Cimarron-Memorial
Legacy has a chance to make a postseason run, but as evidenced by its 42-point loss to Centennial last week, the Bulldogs will get to keep their league title.
Southwest League
Champion: Gorman
Runner-up: Sierra Vista
Darkhorse: Durango
Gorman remains the team to beat, but there’s still plenty of intrigue in games Jan. 10 and Feb. 3 against Sierra Vista.
Runner-up: Sierra Vista
Darkhorse: Durango
Gorman remains the team to beat, but there’s still plenty of intrigue in games Jan. 10 and Feb. 3 against Sierra Vista.
Northeast League
Champion: Canyon Springs
Runner-up: Las Vegas
Darkhorse: Valley
Not the deepest league in town, but Kenosha Wright and Diamond Broadus give the Pioneers reason to believe it’s their league title to lose.
Runner-up: Las Vegas
Darkhorse: Valley
Not the deepest league in town, but Kenosha Wright and Diamond Broadus give the Pioneers reason to believe it’s their league title to lose.
Southeast League
Champion: Liberty
Runner-up: Foothill
Darkhorse: Coronado
Amanda Delgado led the Patriots to their first Sunrise Region title last season. Expect another one come February.
Runner-up: Foothill
Darkhorse: Coronado
Amanda Delgado led the Patriots to their first Sunrise Region title last season. Expect another one come February.
Class 3A Southern League
Champion: Virgin Valley
Rachel Morris gets plenty of attention for the Bulldogs, and deservedly so, but don’t forget about Jenelle Weythman. The Bulldogs have the two best post players in this league, and that duo will carry them back to the state tournament.
Rachel Morris gets plenty of attention for the Bulldogs, and deservedly so, but don’t forget about Jenelle Weythman. The Bulldogs have the two best post players in this league, and that duo will carry them back to the state tournament.
Class 2A Southern League
Champion: Needles
Runner-up: Lake Mead
Darkhorse: Mountain View
Needles’ Gena Chavira is the best all-around player in this league, and the group around her has the Mustangs off to a great start.
Runner-up: Lake Mead
Darkhorse: Mountain View
Needles’ Gena Chavira is the best all-around player in this league, and the group around her has the Mustangs off to a great start.
Class 1A Southern League
Champion: Pahranagat Valley
Runner-up: Indian Springs
Darkhorse: Beatty
With Henderson International closed and Lake Mead having moved up to 2A, Pahranagat Valley should run away with another league title.
Runner-up: Indian Springs
Darkhorse: Beatty
With Henderson International closed and Lake Mead having moved up to 2A, Pahranagat Valley should run away with another league title.
