Preps: Palo Verde off to quick start in soccer

As one of two first-year varsity programs in town, the motto for Palo Verde was supposed to be "wait 'til next year."

Wait until you've seen the competition. Wait until you have your first senior class. Wait until you adjust to the rigors of varsity life.

But when it comes to boys soccer, the Panthers aren't listening to any of that advice. Instead, they're making a huge splash in the Sunset Division standings right out of the gate.

With one game remaining in the season's first half, Palo Verde (4-3-2, 4-1-2) is tied for second place, one win behind Bonanza and even with perennial power Bishop Gorman.

And, as recent results like a 1-0 win over the Gaels and Monday's scoreless tie against the Bengals show, the Panthers haven't let themselves be intimidated.

"The one thing I wanted us to be was competitive," coach Kevin Hagood said. "But the kids have played with a lot of desire. They drive themselves more than I drive them."

The Panthers' success shouldn't come as a complete surprise because the school inherited a number of talented players in the Summerlin area.

"These guys have kind of grown up together and played a lot of club ball together," Hagood said. "I was blessed with a lot of good talent."

Offensively, the Panthers have been led by sophomore Williams Flanagas and junior B.J. Freeman, who have combined to score 10 goals.

But it's Palo Verde's defensive unit that has truly stood out, with goalkeeper Bryson Wright, sweeper Brandon Radmall and stopper Derek McMurtrey combining to spearhead an area-best five shutouts.

After today's game against Cheyenne, the Panthers will have faced every team in their division once. Then it will be time for the stretch drive, in which Hagood's charges will try to match their near-perfect first half and reach the postseason.

"We're just trying to maintain points and keep getting points throughout the season," Hagood said. "They're really maturing as a team."

California domination

Although the Las Vegas-area has dominated the state's girls volleyball scene, last week's Durango Fall Classic Tournament showed that Nevada still has a long way to go in the sport.

Teams from California owned the two-day event, taking the top seven spots in the 16-squad tourney, led by champion Archbishop Mitty and runner-up Mater Dei.

"You watch the California teams and they're so athletic," said Cimarron-Memorial coach Holly Condron, whose club placed 15th. "You see so many big girls, and they play volleyball at a totally different level."

Moapa Valley posted the state's top finish (10th), with host Durango (tie 13th), Green Valley (tie 13th) and Cimarron finishing near the bottom.

Still, Condron said there was value to playing in the event.

"It's a great tournament, and I'm glad we were in it," she said. "It showed our girls what great volleyball is all about."

Fielding five

After forfeiting its first nine matches, Western's golf team finally fielded a five-member squad in a Monday loss to Bishop Gorman.

"It was nice to report a team score," Warriors' coach Rich Schmiesing said.

Western opened the season with just three golfers -- senior Vanessa Retchless, sophomore Sherri Layton and junior Thuong Nguyen. But Schmiesing went on the recruiting trail, talking two Western students into picking up clubs for the first time.

Freshmen Christine Noorda and Theresa Garcia agreed to try the sport, although the team still had to wait for the two to hit the links.

"They hadn't had much experience," Schmiesing said. "It took both a while to get their physicals done and their sport packets in."

Tidbits

* UP NORTH: No. 1 McQueen continued to roll last Friday, posting a 21-7 victory over a solid Elko squad. No. 3 Wooster also won, downing Douglas 21-12 on the road. No. 4 Carson hammered a quality South Tahoe club 53-7 while Reed got past visiting Churchill County 35-21. In other action, Lowry slipped past Sparks 14-7, Reno defeated Hug 17-7, and Galena fell to Ripon Christian 34-20.

* CROSS COUNTRY POLLS: The Green Valley girls remained in the top spot in this week's Southern Nevada Coaches Association poll, but Basic jumped over Durango into first place in the boys rankings. Trailing the Wolves and Trailblazers in the boys poll are Bonanza, Silverado and Green Valley, with Basic, Durango, Cheyenne and Silverado behind the Gators on the girls side. Also, Green Valley's girls team is ranked 23rd nationally in the latest edition of Harrier Magazine.

* ON THE AIR: Friday's football game between Cheyenne and Bonanza will be broadcast live on KSFN-1140 AM, while Friday's Clark-Durango matchup will be aired next Wednesday by Prime Cable Channel 48.

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