SPRING ATHLETES OF YEAR: Wildcats’ Wilson earns boys volleyball honor

Las Vegas High boys volleyball coach Sue Thurman could have chosen several words to describe team captain Braeden Wilson. But one was perfectly fitting for the senior outside hitter: “explosive.”

“He has an incredible vertical jump,” Thurman said. “His arm swing is so fast that it’s hard for blockers to tell which way he’s going to be swinging.”

Wilson parlayed his athleticism into a memorable senior campaign. The 6-foot-2-inch hitter averaged 4.2 kills per game on his way to Northeast League Most Valuable Player honors.

For his efforts, Wilson has been named the Las Vegas Review-Journal’s Class 4A state boys volleyball player of the year.

Wilson helped the Wildcats (18-3) win all 14 matches in Northeast play. Las Vegas swept Coronado in the Sunrise Region final for its first region title since 2005 before being swept by Shadow Ridge in a state semifinal.

Wilson keyed the postseason run, coming up with 18 kills and 17 digs in the region final. He posted a 40.7 hitting percentage this season, averaging 2.9 digs per game.

Thurman said Wilson, who started for Las Vegas since his sophomore year, became a leader through his unselfish play.

“He set the tone and worked well with his teammates,” Thurman said. “A lot of times when you have good hitters, they’re yelling, 'Set me, set me.’ Braeden was unselfish; he wanted to see his teammates succeed.”

 

The Las Vegas Review-Journal’s other spring athletes of the year:

BASEBALL

4A: Kris Bryant, Bonanza. The senior shortstop hit .469 with 22 home runs, third most in state history, and drove in 51 runs. Signed with University of San Diego.
3A/2A/1A: Jason Wittwer, Virgin Valley. The senior shortstop/pitcher hit .398 with three home runs and 25 RBIs and was the team’s ace with a 6-0 record and 2.24 ERA. Led the Bulldogs (25-8) to their third straight 3A state championship.

SOFTBALL

4A: Melissa McCormick, Palo Verde. The junior pitcher was 26-10 with a 1.25 ERA and 326 strikeouts in 235 innings. Also batted .562 with seven home runs and 44 RBIs to lead the Panthers (29-10) to the Sunset Region championship.
3A/2A/1A: Karlee Koopman, Boulder City. The sophomore pitcher earned the victory in all three 3A state playoff games for the Eagles, who went 34-2 and won their first state title since 1999.

BOYS GOLF

4A: A.J. McInerney, Coronado. The sophomore shot 5-under-par 66 at TPC Las Vegas to finish with a two-day, 36-hole total of 134 for the state title. Led the Cougars to their first team state title.
3A/2A: Ryan Baeza, Virgin Valley. The sophomore shot 1-over 73 at Boulder City Municipal to win the 3A Southern League tournament and lift the Bulldogs to the team championship.

BOYS TRACK

4A: Garic Wharton, Valley. The senior sprinter captured state championships in the 100 (10.89 seconds) and 200 meters (21.44) and ran the third-fastest 200 time in the nation this season (21.05) at the Sunrise Region meet. Signed with Arizona for football and track.
3A/2A/1A: Budweiser Hawkins, Trinity. The senior won 1A state titles in the high jump (6 feet, 4 inches), long jump (20-10) and 200 (23.27).

GIRLS TRACK

4A: Karli Johonnot, Centennial. The junior won state titles in the 300 hurdles (45.01) and high jump (5-4) and took second in the 100 hurdles (15.71) and fourth in the pole vault (10-0).
3A/2A/1A: Andrea Martinez, Trinity. The junior claimed 1A state championships in the 200 (28.09) and 400 (1:02.51) and anchored winning 400 (54.55) and 800 (1:54.59) relay teams.

BOYS SWIMMING

Cody Miller, Palo Verde. The senior broke state meet records in the 200-yard individual medley (1:47.53) and 100 breaststroke (54.55) and led winning 200 (1:28.37) and 400 (3:09.47) freestyle relay teams. Helped the Panthers win their third straight team state title. Signed with Indiana.

Ciera Cortney, Bishop Gorman. The senior diver won her fourth state championship to lead the Gaels to the team title. Set Sunset Region meet record with 507½ points. Signed with Boise State.