Gaels, Lions have high expectations

State championships are usually the ultimate goals when it comes to high school sports. But this week's American Legion state baseball tournament could be just the beginning.

Just ask Sierra Vista and Bishop Gorman.

The Lions and Gaels parlayed postseason success into trips to the American Legion World Series the last two years, with Sierra Vista advancing in 2005 and Gorman last season.

Now those two teams appear to be among the favorites at state, which begins today at UNLV's Wilson Stadium.

Silverado plays Coronado in the tournament's first game at 5 p.m. today, with top-seeded Sierra Vista playing Green Valley in the second game at 8.

On Sunday, defending champ Bishop Gorman plays Reno at 5 p.m., with Durango playing Spring Valley. The tournament continues all week, with the championship game slated for 7:30 p.m. Saturday. The winner advances to the Western Regional in Kearns, Utah, with the regional winner advancing to the World Series.

Gorman coach Chris Sheff said his team's experience in advancing to the World Series last year and also winning the last two high school state titles should help.

"It helps us in this tournament, because we've been fortunate to win three straight state titles now including Legion," Sheff said. "They know they're going to be challenged, and there will be games that they're going to have to come from behind. But I think it's a confident group, and they expect to win. Any time you have experience it helps you, but you still have to play good baseball at the right time."

Sierra Vista has been playing good baseball all summer, dominating the league with a 24-2 record. The Lions also have plenty of experience, with several players back from the 2005 World Series team.

"The overall vibe of the team has been pretty decent as far as going out and working hard," Sierra Vista coach Levi Gill said. "We've had quite a few guys that go down and hit every day and get in their hacks and have a pretty consistent vibe for the team knowing that they're going to have to work if they want to get what they want at the end."

The Lions have experienced returnees, with Justin Mettelka, Kyle Gutchewsky and Chuck Howard returning after a year of junior college play.

Gorman returns much of its roster from last season but has experienced substantial changes.

Sheff said Donn Roach, Stephen Manthei and Joey Rickard have been the team's top pitchers this summer. Of that trio, only Roach pitched much this spring for the high school team.

Sheff said Taylor Cole, the state's co-Player of the Year during high school, has been pitching late in the season but isn't playing shortstop.

Despite those changes, Gill believes the Gaels are the team to beat.

"Gorman beat us last year in the championship, and they've won the school ball for the last two years," Gill said. "Until somebody knocks them off their perch, they've got to be the favorite to win."