Optimist Girls All-Star Classic is set

By STEVE RANSON

Nevada Appeal News Service

Senior high school basketball players competing in tonight's Fallon Optimist All-Star Classic don their team's uniform for a final time at the Elmo Dericco Gym.

Some of the most talented basketball players in Northern Nevada will play in a fundraiser for Churchill County youth programs.

The girls' game begins at 6 p.m., and the boys' game follows 20 minutes after the conclusion of the first game. Cost is $5 adults, $3 for students with I.D. and $2 for seniors.

Scott Meihack, a member of the Fallon Optimist Club and one of the game's organizers, said the girls' coaches are Dorsey Thom of Yerington and Meggan Cranmer of McQueen. Thom, who guided the Lions to a successful season in the Northern 3A, will coach the Blue team, and Cranmer has the task of coaching the Silver team.

Coaching the boys' teams are Brian Voyles of Hug (Silver) and Rob Streeter of Douglas (Blue). The boys' preview appeared in Saturday's LVN.

Players are selected by the coaches. Seniors who played either girls' or boys' varsity basketball in Northern Nevada are eligible. Senior girls can be selected to play softball.

Meihack said players selected to the teams are individuals who started for their respective teams or saw significant action

Cranmer said her team will be strong on offense.

"We will be a incredibly strong shooting team as five out of the six players are perimeter players," she said. "I am looking forward to being able to coach this group of outstanding players as they represent their schools for the last time."

Cranmer's team is led by Lauren Dwyer of Reno, who was a first team, Sierra League and All-Northern 4A pick. She will be joined by teammate Angela Ceccarelli. Reno won the Sierra League championship in February.

Spanish Springs will be represented by three players - Jill Miller, Nicole Raymond and Arianna James, an honorable mention in the High Desert League.

Cranmer will also bring two players from her McQueen team, Danica Marks and Alyx Sacks.

Thom's team features more of Central Nevada look, although he has two players from Reed, the Northern 4A champs. Thom selected all-league Northern 4A player Mary Alice Palmer and second-team pick Mary Sprinkel.

Fallon will be represented by forward Jeannie Gandolfo.

Thom's team will also have a Lyon County look. He has April Shaw of Fernley, Dena Helme of Yerington, Erica Bonde of Silver Stage and Stephanie Greer of Dayton.

Shaw, first-team pick on this year's All-Sierra Nevada team, led the Vaqueros with 40 3-pointers.

Another All-Sierra Nevada pick on the Blue team is Carson City's Megan Kilty. She was selected honorable mention.

Thoms' crew also includes Kayla Horse of Douglas and Brittni Black of Elko.