Thursday, June 10, 1999 | 9:04 a.m.
It was a family affair for the Bessers at Wednesday night's American Legion baseball game between Silverado and Palo Verde.
For the first time, father Art Besser and son Artie Besser squared off as head coaches. And when the dust cleared, the Silverado Skyhawks had an 8-1 win over the visiting Panthers and the elder Besser was looking to cash in on a little family business.
"Well, he owes me a steak dinner," Art Besser said afterwards with a big smile on his face.
His son's response: "Is that what he said? I thought it was a Wendy's cheeseburger."
Whatever the reward, the outcome marked the Skyhawks' first win against upstart Palo Verde in four varsity meetings since the Summerlin school opened in 1996. The Panthers (7-5) defeated Silverado in both Legion contests last summer, and made it three in a row with an 8-7 victory during the 1999 prep season.
"We'd never beaten them, so they had something to prove today with these guys," said Art Besser, whose squad improved to 13-0 during the summer.
The Skyhawks won the game behind a strong complete game from senior-to-be James Wickman, who scattered one run and five hits and struck out nine Panthers.
Silverado also got solid hitting throughout the lineup, from leadoff man Vincent Valiente, who pounded a two-run homer in the third, down to No. 9 batter Jason Vita, who went 3-for-3 with two doubles.
"In the summer these guys play a lot more games, so they get into a groove," Art Besser said.
Adding to the family atmosphere Wednesday night, Artie's older brother Mike Besser dropped by to take in the ballgame. With former Palo Verde baseball coach Charlie Cerrone headed to Centennial High next year, Mike Besser is slated to coach the Panthers next spring, with brother Artie as an assistant.
"There's more battles to come between the two schools," said Artie Besser, who played under current Silverado prep coach Brian Whitaker at Valley from 1988-92. "We have a good rivalry developing."
* FILLING BIG SHOES: After serving as assistants under Tim Chambers for back-to-back Legion state champion Bishop Gorman, Jeff Lackey and Ken White find themselves calling the shots for this summer's Bishop Gorman squad.
So far, the results have been good for the new-look Gaels, who took a 5-2 record into tonight's game with Green Valley. "It's a little different, but the kids have made a a pretty good adjustment to it," said Lackey, an assistant under Chambers since 1991 for both the prep and Legion seasons. "I thought we'd come out a little flat (this summer), but they've done a good job."
Chambers, who coached Gorman to an appearance in last summer's American Legion World Series, stepped down after the 1999 high school season to pursue a coaching position at the Community College of Southern Nevada.
"I think it's taken a little pressure off," Lackey said. "People aren't expected us to do much without (Chambers)."
* ROAD WARRIORS: After splitting a doubleheader at Claremont (Calif.) last Saturday, Durango hit the road again for a twin bill at St. George (Utah) on Tuesday and came home with a sweep, winning 10-7 and 12-2. The real fun for the Trailblazers comes later this summer, when they'll travel to tournaments in Pueblo, Colo., Rapid City, S.D., and Woodward, Okla. After going 64-23 last season, Durango is slated to play 79 games this year (not including the playoffs), by far the most for any team in town.
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