Two-time defending Class 3A boys basketball champion Faith Lutheran didn't exactly look like a contender at the start of the season.

The Crusaders were without three starters for various reasons, including key holdovers Stephen McCall and Conner Maloney. Without them, the Crusaders had six losses by the first week of December.

But once Faith Lutheran returned to full strength, it rolled through league play with an 8-0 record, and the Crusaders look like the team to beat when the Class 3A Southern League Tournament begins today at Del Sol.

"We're as close to full strength as we've been all season," coach Bret Walter said. "That gives us some confidence, just having everybody and having everybody feeling well."

The Crusaders play Moapa Valley at 8 p.m., with Pahrump Valley meeting Boulder City in the other semifinal at 4:40.

The semifinal winners play at 8:20 p.m. Saturday for the title. Both finalists advance to state, as in all of the 3A and 2A Southern League tourneys.

In the 3A girls event, top-seeded Pahrump Valley leads the field after going 8-0 in the regular season.

The Trojans play Virgin Valley at 6:20 p.m. Thursday at Del Sol, with Faith Lutheran playing Boulder City in the other semifinal at 3.

The girls championship game is set for 6:40 p.m. Saturday at Del Sol.

The Meadows will begin its quest for a third straight Class 2A boys title in the 2A Southern League Tournament on Friday at Del Sol.

The top-seeded Mustangs play Needles (Calif.) in the semifinals at 8 p.m. West Wendover plays Lincoln County in the other semifinal at 4:40, with the winners meeting at 5 p.m. Saturday at Del Sol.

The Class 1A boys and girls tournaments began Tuesday and Wednesday at host sites. The tournaments move to Durango for the semifinals on Friday, beginning at 3 p.m.

The boys championship game is scheduled for 1:40 p.m. Saturday at Del Sol. The girls game is at noon Del Sol.

• WRESTLING HONORS -- Green Valley's Edgar Hernandez took on all comers this season, finishing 62-0 at 125 pounds and winning the state championships.

The area coaches recognized his efforts and named Hernandez the Sunrise Region Wrestler of the Year.

Basic coach Jim Duschen was honored as the Sunrise Coach of the Year.

In the Sunset Region, Palo Verde swept the top honors with 152-pounder Kyle Barrett named the Wrestler of the Year and coach Kris Davis taking the coaching honor.

• SOCCER HONOR -- Bishop Gorman boys soccer player Zac Zaher was named the Gatorade Nevada Player of the Year. He had 17 goals and 21 assists, including nine goals in five postseason games to lead the Gaels to the state title.

He's the third member of his family to be named Nevada Player of the year, joining older brothers Joe and Mike.

• FUTURE REBEL -- Silverado boys soccer standout Ricky Abrego has signed with UNLV.

The high-scoring forward led the Skyhawks to the Sunrise Regional title game and a second-place finish at state.