Las Vegas High’s experience, point guard makes them Sunrise Region favorite

By Ray Brewer (contact)

Thursday, Dec. 11, 2014 | 5:46 p.m.

Las Vegas High point guard Devon Colley was one of the state’s leaders in assists last season.

He’ll be surrounded by players in the Wildcats’ starting lineup this season to continue filling up the stat sheet.

Colley, who signed last month with New Orleans, will be joined by two more Division I prospects in junior post player Tyler Bey and senior wing Patrick Savoy Jr. The trio, each with multiple years of varsity experience, makes Las Vegas one of the favorites to win the Sunrise Region championship.

“Me being the point guard, the leader, (I have to) make sure everyone is happy on the court. Get them going first,” said Colley, who averaged about seven assists per game last season.

Colley will be counted on to lead the way in the absence of Ray Smith, who last month signed with Arizona and is one of the nation’s best players. Smith torn his ACL during a recruiting showcase this summer and could be lost for the season.

“We talked after Ray had his injury. We said we just have to move on,” Las Vegas coach Jason Wilson said. “Things happen like that in sports. We have to come together, continue to get better everyday and work with what’s on the court.”

And what Las Vegas has on the court is pretty special. Bey, Colley and Savoy each were starters last season, teaming to help the Wildcats reach the Sunrise Regional championship game. Even without Smith, who averaged 24 points per game last season and is typically the best player on the court, they’ll challenge for the title.

Well, Wilson says, only if they give a maximum effort.

“Everybody is going to have to play hard,” Wilson said. “We make that a requirement.”

Smith is progressing ahead of schedule in his rehabilitation and hasn’t ruled out returning at the end of the season. In the interim, he’s a fixture at games and practices, always yelling words of encouragement.

The best way to win games without him in the lineup is by playing strong defense. “If a team can’t score, they can’t win,” Smith said.

Las Vegas has won its initial three games of the season, including a 73-63 victory Tuesday at Green Valley. Savoy had 21 points and Bey added 17 in the win. And Colley did what he does best, organizing the offense to the tune of nine assists.

Ray Brewer can be reached at 702-990-2662 or [email protected]. Follow Ray on Twitter at twitter.com/raybrewer21