PREP BASEBALL: The rivalry continues

Green Valley, Silverado high schools hope to battle for state title

MIKE STOTTS/VIEWPalo Verde High School shortstop Jordan Pierce, left, looks for the ball at second base as Green Valley High School’s Tyler Jones races to the bag during the second inning, March 8. Green Valley players still are bitter over last year’s 19-4 loss to Silverado in the Sunset Regional title game and are using that as motivation for this season. Advertisement

Green Valley High School's baseball team does not like to lose, especially to Silverado.

Many of the Gators still have not gotten over last year's 19-4 loss to the Skyhawks in the Sunrise Regional title game, and that disappointment is serving as motivation to a team that has been a Southern Nevada powerhouse for 15 years.

Few want to admit it, but there is a long-running rivalry between the teams. Ninth-year Green Valley coach Nick Garritano downplayed that competitive relationship, insisting it's too early to worry about Silverado.

"We're not ready to look that far down the line," said Garritano, whose team won its last state championship in 2003. "Our league is tough. We're just going to worry about ourselves."

Silverado coach Brian Whitaker spoke just as cautiously.

"It's too early to look that far down the road," said Whitaker, whose squad went 33-5 last year. "But I know Green Valley has got some quality kids, and we always look forward to those two games."

Quality kids, indeed. Junior shortstop Matt Harrison, senior first baseman Tyler Jones, senior outfielder Kyle Konicek, junior outfielder Nick Molino and senior pitcher Max Javate will lead an experienced squad capable of battling for the state championship.

"This is a group of kids I really like," said Garritano, whose squad went 22-11 last year. "They worked very hard in the offseason and they're just excited to start."

Adding to that excitement is the opportunity to avenge last year's embarrassing loss to Silverado.

"That just left a bitter taste in our kids' mouths," Garritano said. "It's tough to finish that way."

But even with six returning starters and plenty of motivation, Green Valley opened the season as an underdog to Silverado. The Skyhawks look just as strong, highlighted by senior pitcher Chase Bradford, senior catcher Mike McDade, senior first baseman Kevin Rath and junior outfielder Jordan Keegan.

Though Whitaker likes his team, he'll have to do without several of last season's standouts.

"We did graduate some really good players," said Whitaker, whose squad went undefeated in league play before falling to Bishop Gorman in the state championship game last year. "But we're fortunate to have a pretty good core coming back from that group."

Like Garritano, Whitaker knows there are no guarantees. Even so, both coaches remain focused on the same goal.

"Whenever we start out, we ultimately want to win the state championship," said Whitaker. "But we do preach doing it one step at a time. All you can control is what you do."