All-Northern 4A teams selected

With all of the fall sports seasons completed with the exception of football, the all-Northern 4A teams have been selected.

The Northern 4A football season is still going on with Galena and Manogue playing for the title at 7 p.m. Friday at Damonte Ranch. The all-Northern 4A football teams won't be released until if and when one of those teams is eliminated from the NIAA 4A State playoffs.

The Sierra Nevada Media newspapers have also begun work on selecting their annual all-Sierra Nevada teams consisting of schools that they have covered. The all-Sierra Nevada boys and girls soccer, volleyball and football teams will be featured in December.

Carson High had one of its better fall sports seasons in recent memory, so it's no surprise that many of the school's athletes were honored. In girls soccer, Carson sophomore Brandi Vega was chosen for the second straight year as the Sierra League's Offensive Player of the Year while the Senators' Belle Fleming was chosen as the league's Midfielder of the year.

Galena's Libby Walker was chosen as the High Desert League's Offensive Player of the Year while teammate Amy Leggett was chosen as the league's Defender of the Year.

In boys soccer, Carson's Enrique Mendoza was chosen as the Sierra League Midfielder of the Year while Douglas High's Michael Gransbery, who chased Northern 4A scoring records this year, was the league's Offensive Player of the Year. Galena's Fred Eisenacher was the High Desert League's Offensive Player of the Year.

The Carson boys and girls soccer teams swept the Sierra League titles this year and the Senator boys advanced to the Northern 4A finals where they lost to South Tahoe. Carson's Jason Koop and the Tigers' Milko Vasquez were chosen as the league's Co-Coaches of the Year.

In boys cross country, Reno's Walter Juarez was named the Northern 4A Athlete of the Year after winning the Northern 4A title. Carson's Chad Shroy, who took second, was named to the all-Northern 4A first team as was his younger brother, Richard, a freshman.

Shroy ultimate came away with the top prize, winning the NIAA 4A State title. Shroy has been accepted to the United States Naval Academy where he will continue to run. Carson's boys took second in the Northern 4A to Reno and third in the state.

Carson's Lydia Peri was named to the all-Northern 4A first team after qualifying for the NIAA 4A State Championships in girls golf. Galena's Ashley Menante, Allie Burns and Jessica Jones were all named to the all-Northern 4A first team for Galena, which won the Northern 4A title. The Senator girls finished third in the Northern 4A.

The Senators also broke new ground in recent years in boys tennis where Bryt Lewis and Brad Cobler qualified for the NIAA 4A State Championships in doubles. Lewis and Cobler were all-Northern 4A second team selections.

After winning the NIAA 4A State title, Damonte Ranch's Colleen Carlson was the Sierra League's Player of the Year and Velvet Steel was named as the league's Coach of the Year. Galena's Nancy Burrows, who has signed to play at NAIA Concordia in Portland, Ore., was the High Desert League's Player of the Year.

EARLY SHOWDOWN FOR BABBITT

The buzz has been all over the internet for a while concerning a showdown with two of the nation's most recruited players in the class of 2008. Galena's Luke Babbitt will have a chance to showcase his talents across the country this season, including right off the bat in the season opener.

Babbitt and Galena will take on Drew Gordon and Archbishop Mitty in the Bay Area on Dec. 1. The 6-8 Babbitt and the 6-8 Gordon are two of the most recruited juniors in the country.

Babbitt has narrowed his list down to five schools: Nevada, UCLA, Arizona, Gonzaga and Ohio State.