Bonanza’s Bryant area Player of Year

High school baseball players put up impressive numbers each spring.

But few can match the performance Bonanza shortstop Kris Bryant had this year.

"The season he had this year was almost laughable," Bonanza coach Derek Stafford said. "Absolutely just an unbelievable season to cap an incredible career."

Bryant hit 22 home runs in 33 games, the third-most homers in a season, according to the Nevada Interscholastic Association record book.

For his efforts, Bryant was named the Class 4A Southern Nevada Player of the Year by area coaches.

The 22 homers gave Bryant 47 in his career, also No. 3 in the NIAA record book.

Bryant batted .469, drove in 51 runs and scored 48 for the Bengals this season. He drew 26 walks and struck out only 21 times, despite seldom seeing good pitches to hit.

"He's always had the power," Stafford said. "It was just a matter of getting him to be selective. This year there were times he didn't get one decent pitch all game."

Bryant also was named Southwest League Player of the Year. Arbor View's Nick Urban was the Northwest Player of the Year, Rancho's Eric Holdren took the Northeast honor, and Green Valley's Cameron Harper claimed the Southeast award.

Legacy's Bill Dexheimer was named Northwest League Coach of the Year. Rancho's Tom Pletsch was the Northeast League's Coach of the Year, and Liberty's Nick Didier took the Southeast honor.

Bishop Gorman's Chris Sheff and Spring Valley's Paul Bassett shared the coaching award in the Southwest.

Bryant also highlighted the All-Southern Nevada team. He was joined on the infield by Johnny Field (Gorman), Tanner Chauncey (Las Vegas) and Brett Harrison (Green Valley).

Palo Verde's Billy Bob Ward was the first baseman and Foothill's Jordan Stewart the catcher.

Harper, Urban, Gorman's Cory Welch and Coronado's Taylor Giordano were the first-team outfielders.

Harper, Holdren, Sierra Vista's Nick Kingham and Spring Valley's Aaron Blair were the pitchers, and Green Valley's Evan Van Hoosier was the designated hitter.