More Sunset, Sunrise teams expected to be in contention

      Last year, Bonanza broke Green Valley's streak of two state titles with a five-stroke victory. The Bengals and Gators finished either first or second at state the last three years.
      This year, Bonanza coach Dave Varrato said he expects several teams to contend.
      "Everybody in the Sunset Division is going to be tough," Varrato said. "Bishop Gorman, Durango with Randy Creighton and Western with Joel Kijowski are all going to make for some competitive matches."
      Some of Bonanza's top players return. Billy Harvey, who finished second at state, one stroke behind Kijowski, is back. So is senior Scott Piercy, who took fifth. Junior Ben Auten, 10th at state, also returns.
      The Gators, meanwhile, lost Mike Louden, Russell Nygard and Casey Hall. But seniors Doug Brown and Avi Khitri and juniors Dallas Massey, Anthony Kindig and Jered Monk return.
      "We lost some of our best players to graduation last year, but we should come back with a good squad," Green Valley coach Del Sagers said .
     SUNSET DIVISION
      -- BISHOP GORMAN -- The Gaels, who finished fifth at state, return juniors Tyler Mays and Robert Hasman and seniors Chris McHugh and John Carzoo.
      Mays tied for sixth at state.
      Gorman coach George DeFrancesco conceded that Bonanza is the top team.
      "Who can catch Bonanza?'' he said. ''They have all the rated players."
      -- CHEYENNE -- The Desert Shields return two zone qualifiers in senior Levi Rogers and sophomore Brandon Ferguson. They are capable of shooting in the low 40s.
      Juniors Mike Balicki and Zack Hershman join sophomore Kit Van Riel as returning starters.
      -- CLARK -- The Chargers return senior starters Josh Ahuna, Dan Smith and junior Adam Lanza.
      Clark coach Jim Massey said the division will be competitive.
      "There are so many talented teams out there, it should be a dogfight,'' he said.
      -- DURANGO -- Randy Creighton, brother of former Sunset Division Player of the Year Alan Creighton, may be the state's most talented freshman, said Trailblazers coach Jim Allen.
      "He has got a good swing and did real well in the junior circuit last year as an eighth grader,'' Allen said.
      Seniors Brandon Howard and Ed Terlitski anchor the Trailblazers. Junior Tyler Nielsen and junior transfer Steve Simister also return.
      -- WESTERN -- Kijowski, a senior, is the returning state champion, and leads the talented Warriors.
      Western coach Bob Barnett said his team has a lot of underrated talent.
      "We look to have a good year," Barnett said.
      Seniors Jesse Richards and Mike Gehner also return.
     SUNRISE DIVISION
      -- BASIC -- The Wolves return four players. They are led by senior Gerry Cram, capable of shooting in the high 30s.
      -- ELDORADO -- Mark Kohet, Larry Stiltz and K.C. Black return to the Sun Devils. All are capable of low scores and hope to qualify for the conference tournament.
      -- LAS VEGAS -- Wildcat coach Al Duncan returns an experienced team with six seniors.
      Nick Belkin continues to improve, scoring in the low 40s.
      He will get help from Roger Archer, Alvin Casino, Chuck Garcia, Nate Wycklendt and Troy Mitchell.
      "I just hope to get consistency in scoring this year," Duncan said.
      -- RANCHO -- Rams coach Steve Degelbeck feels the lack of golf courses near the school hurts his team's chances.
      "Inexperience is something we have to deal with," Delgelbeck said.
      Junior Todd Bowers hopes to average a 45 to qualify for the conference tourney.
      The Rams field a team that includes several players who never played competitively.
      -- VALLEY -- Joe Shifflett, an all-conference lineman in football, returns for his senior season.
      The Vikings have several players capable of scoring in the low 40s, including Brian Freeman, Danny Love and Tyler Kurtz.
      Chaparral, Cimarron-Memorial and Silverado coaches did not return phone calls.