Spanish Springs' new coach brings both adjustments, familiarity Matt Ortiz is entering his first season running the Spanish Springs baseball program. That doesn’t mean he’s unaware of the Cougars’ spot in the 4A North pecking order. Ortiz was an assistant under former head coach Ben Hofmann since 2013 and also spent a stint with Spanish Springs from 2008-10. … [Read more...]
Reed Softball Preview: Raiders remain stacked, but get break from national spotlight
Source of offensive production will be early question mark for four-time defending regional champs Many programs would deem winning 32 games, claiming a fourth-straight regional title, and taking third at state – as Reed did in 2016 – a successful season. Reed is not like many programs. After winning their first state title since 1998, the Raiders entered last year … [Read more...]
Reed Baseball Preview: Veteran Raiders to feature mixed offensive bag
Led by first-year coach Levi Matherly, new era of Reed baseball starts Thursday It’s not like first-year coach Levi Matherly is taking over a team riddled with first-year varsity players. He got a break in that sense, inheriting a roster that will feature a staggering total of 11 seniors this spring “Obviously, we’re going to lean on them and their experience,” … [Read more...]
Sparks Baseball Preview: Vasko, Railroaders view 2016 as ‘learning experience’
Led by returning all-state player Matt Longland, Sparks hoping to rebound The baseball season is two months long. For some teams, the nine weeks fly by like a nap after a long day. For other teams, the nine weeks feel like the long day that won end. There’s no question which category Sparks’ 2016 season fits under. After winning three of their first four games … [Read more...]
Sparks Softball Preview: Railroaders headed in new direction
First-year coach Rob Nelson says outfield play needs to improve First-year coach Rob Nelson is taking over team that won six games last year and lost its best player to graduation. Sparks is 25-63-1 in the three years since its last winning campaign, when it went 14-13 in 2013. Nelson is not deterred. “I’m optimistic,” he said. “I think we have some good kids, some … [Read more...]
Shoup Shots: Nevada must party one more time before it can dance
There was a party at Lawlor Events Center on Saturday night. Nevada suffocated Colorado State in the second half of an 85-72 win in the regular-season finale and celebrated the program’s first ever Mountain West regular-season title. Not so long ago, just reaching the game would’ve secured a NCAA Tournament berth. Five MW programs were in 2013 field (Boise State, … [Read more...]
Oliver leads Nevada to first Mountain West regular season title
Pack pulls away from Colorado State in second half, heads to Vegas as No. 1 seed RENO – The pool of superlatives to describe Nevada’s meteoric rise is all but dried up. After inheriting a program that won just nine total games two years ago, coach Eric Musselman ripped his shirt off on Saturday night, waving it in the air while getting showered by silver and blue … [Read more...]
Final 4A North Girls Hoops Power Rankings
The 4A North girls basketball season did not wield any massive surprises. Bishop Manogue and Reno ultimately met in the regional title game for the fifth-straight year with the Miners claiming their third-straight title. With the 2016-17 season complete, here’s how all 12 4A North programs stacked up. To view how the rankings progressed over the course of the … [Read more...]