Tech’s Carranza, Coronado’s Sellitti, Foothill’s Volesky lauded in soccer

Tech's boys soccer team relied on its defense to take the Southeast League title, posting 14 shutouts and going unbeaten in its first 12 games.

Luis Carranza fueled that dominating defense, both emotionally and as the final defender in the back.

That's why league coaches named Carranza as one of three Southeast League Players of the Year, along with Coronado goalkeeper Danny Sellitti and Foothill forward Christian Volesky.

Sellitti's posted 11½ shutouts and allowed only six goals in the regular season. Likewise, Volesky was one of Southern Nevada's offensive leaders with a stunning 32 goals.

Carranza's role was different, however.

"He plays a position where you don't get a lot of stats," Tech coach Josh Jones said. "But he was kind of the glue who kept everything together. The shutouts were due mainly because of him."

Del Sol's John Britt was named Southeast Coach of the Year.

In the Northwest, state champion Legacy earned the lion's share of the awards, with eight players recognized. Longhorns forward Saul Aguirre earned Player of the Year, and Legacy's Jose Gomez took Coach of the Year.

Valley's Juan Carlos Gomez was named Northeast Player of the Year, and Desert Pines' Judas Perez took Coach of the Year. Spring Valley's Seth McGinn and Western's Joshua Ballard shared the Southwest Player of the Year award, and Bonanza's Thomas Rainey was Coach of the Year.

■ SMALL-SCHOOL FOOTBALL AWARDS -- Moapa Valley's football team was rewarded for reaching the Class 3A state title game for the fifth straight year with a bevy of postseason honors.

League coaches voted Pirates quarterback Kelan Weiss the Most Valuable Player, receiver Casen Lewis took Offensive Player of the Year, and Brent Lewis was named Coach of the Year.

Defensive Player of the Year went to Virgin Valley linebacker Kyler Hughes. Boulder City center and defensive end Bleu Huxford took Lineman of the Year.

In the 2A Southern League, Agassi Prep running back DeVonn Porter was named Player of the Year, center and nose tackle Adrian Huling took Lineman of the Year, and Colt Goodman shared Coach of the Year with Needles' Steve Price.

Needles fullback Daric Courtwright was named Offensive Player of the Year, and White Pine linebacker Clay Mauro took Defensive Player of the Year.

In the 1A Southern League, Pahranagat Valley quarterback and cornerback Cody Hosier was named Most Valuable Player, and he shared Offensive Player of the Year with Indian Springs quarterback Adam Reinke.

Reinke, also a linebacker, shared Defensive Player of the Year with Pahranagat Valley linebacker Kale Leavitt.

Spring Mountain's Aaron Masden and Tonopah's Duffy Otteson shared Coach of the Year.

■ 2A VOLLEYBALL HONORS -- The Meadows senior setter Vanessa Hall and Lake Mead senior outside hitter Ashley Newton shared Most Valuable Player honors on the Class 2A All-Southern League volleyball team. Both players helped their teams advance to the state semifinals.

Calvary Chapel junior Brettani Davis was named the league's Defensive Player of the Year.

Stephanie Heller, who led The Meadows to an undefeated record in league play, was the league's Coach of the Year.

■ NATIONAL NOTICE -- Two local boys basketball programs have gained national attention to start the season.

ESPN RISE ranked Findlay Prep, which went 32-2 last season, No. 1 in the nation. Bishop Gorman, which finished 30-2 and won the Class 4A state championship last season, is ranked ninth.