FIELDER’S CHOICES: Reset the bracket, it’s time for state

It may not be March Madness, but February Frenzy has a nice ring to it, too.

It’s state tournament time for hoops teams. How do your postseason brackets look?

Mine are crinkled up, shredded and scribbled over after a wild weekend of regional action that saw some small-school upsets. Don’t worry, though; I’ll redeem myself in Reno. As will Bishop Gorman’s boys after the way last season ended.

If I can take solace in my regional predictions, it’s that the Sunset girls bracket came through and I didn’t have to grow a beard.

Nobody wants to see that.

Now that we’re to the Final Four, here’s how things should work out. Bank on it:

BOYS
CLASS 4A

Championship: Bishop Gorman over Green Valley

Give a team with a college starting five added motivation in high school, and it’s a scary combination.

That’s what Gorman has after losing in last year’s state semifinals.

Green Valley is on an incredible run, and Durrell McDonald and Devan Kohn form a duo hard to bet against.

Green Valley’s best shot will be to try to keep the ball out of Shabazz Muhammad’s hands. And Ben Carter’s hands. And Rosco Allen’s hands.

That’s a lot of hands. I don’t like those odds.

CLASS 3A

Championship: Boulder City over Elko

The Eagles have the size, depth and momentum needed to take the prize, but it won’t be easy.

It’s not quite the Fab Five, but Elko has four freshmen playing beyond their years. If the Eagles contain Nathan Klekas, I like their chances.

Boulder City needs to avoid offensive dry spells like it encountered against Virgin Valley in the 3A Southern League final.

CLASS 2A

Championship: Agassi Prep over The Meadows

Garrett Gosse played possessed in the 2A Southern League final, and it will take a similar effort to beat the Stars again.

I’ve been saying for a while that Agassi Prep will get it together and win its second straight state title. I won’t back off now, but it won’t happen if the Stars go 5-for-17 from the foul line again.

CLASS 1A

Championship: Pahranagat Valley over Spring Mountain

This one is simple. The Panthers have been there before.

Pahranagat Valley rallied late to win the regular-season meeting, and Spring Mountain rallied late to win the league final.

That tells me the state final should be another close game, and in a close game, it’s hard to bet against the two-time defending state champions.

The matchup to watch is Tyler Higbee against Marqion White.

GIRLS
CLASS 4A

Championship: Centennial over Reed

If Centennial beat Gorman by 17 points, what do you think it will do to this field?

Foothill had a magical run to the Sunrise title, but will need more magic to beat a Reed team with guard Gabby Williams and post Nyasha LeSure.

CLASS 3A

Championship: Spring Creek over Virgin Valley

I keep picking against Virgin Valley, and they keep proving me wrong. Why quit now, right?

It would give the Nevadapreps guys a good story if the Bulldogs keep making me a fool.

Spring Creek’s Zuleika Grinsell is a great all-around talent. But with the way the Bulldogs beat a taller Boulder City team twice this season, don’t count them out.

CLASS 2A

Championship: Pershing County over White Pine

There’s a sharpshooting combo guard at a rural 2A school who can shoot the lights out, drive, dish and is making an assault on the record book.

What, you thought I was talking about Dantley Walker? I meant Sarita Jo Condie, who will lead the Mustangs to their first repeat title in school history.

And next year their first three-peat.

CLASS 1A

Championship: Pahranagat Valley over Wells

The Panthers are just too good. Too much shooting (Bailee Hosier), lock-down defense (Halie Lewis), post play (Kimberly Lewis) and veteran coaching (Amy Huntsman).

You could argue that the Panthers could compete for the 2A state title.