The past year was one to remember in the Lahontan Valley.
From the wrestling team winning four individual titles to the Lady Wave basketball and softball teams winning state to the football team accomplishing perfection with the state crown in the fall, 2018 served the community well. As the new year begins, here are five bold — and perhaps, outrageous — predictions for 2019.
Fallon boys basketball team will win state
The Greenwave has two tournament titles under its belt already and although it suffered a road loss to Elko, in double overtime no less, Fallon will end Elko’s run at regional titles.
But with a strong senior class and a very talented group of juniors, this year’s team is the best Fallon’s had since 2009 when Corey William’s group took second in 4A. If you haven’t seen this team play, you’re missing out.
Led by Elijah Jackson, who will win the MVP for the 3A North, this team is as electric as they come. But aside from the jaw-dropping dunks, this team can score and score big. Don’t be surprised if Chelle Dalager’s cagers eclipse the century mark in points for a game this season.
Fallon will send seven wrestlers to state
If last week’s Sierra Nevada Classic was any indication, the Greenwave will capture three individual state titles with seniors Ben Dooley and Sean McCormick, and junior Tommy McCormick.
But after those three, there’s a lot of unknowns. Senior Drew Kramer and newcomer Lucas Prinz are capable of placing in the top four at regionals to qualify for state. Sophomores Wyatt Hatch and Case Cornmesser are coming along well and Hatch was impressive at the TOC to snag a win. Josiah Rosario even has a chance, too.
Fallon, believe it or not, can win state as a team but it needs a lot of help via the upset. But the Wave should have no problem qualifying seven (or more) for state after the NIAA changed the criteria to give the North four spots instead of three.
Lady Bighorns will win lacrosse championship
Oasis Academy was very young last spring. Yet, this team took second in the league and was one win away from reaching the state tournament.
The Bighorns return nearly the entire roster plus they get Kenna Hamlin back after she spent the year rehabbing from a leg injury (side note: Hamlin is handling the floor nicely for the Greenwave basketball team). Two of Oasis’ best players were eighth graders and another was only a sophomore. Expect great things from this team as Oasis Academy continues growing in sports participation.
Fallon will go back to back in football
The 2018 team will go down as one of the best, if not, the best to ever grace the fields in Fallon. But the 2019 team will be really good, too.
Yes, the senior class will be truly missed as each and every single player made an impact. The biggest hit is the line with three departing but Fallon returns several playmakers and the program made strides during the season by having the JV gain experience with the varsity. Jackson (see above) will be the league’s MVP, Brock Richardson will get the offensive player of the year award and Brooke Hill will add another coach of the year honor as he continues to expand on his school-record win total.
Jennifer Hucke will coach the Lady Wave volleyball team
She’s a two-time NCAA volleyball champ and Greenwave Hall of Famer. She was the catalyst to Fallon’s only two state volleyball titles. So why not coach the Lady Wave?
You can’t help but to wonder the possibility — it’s not likely due to schedule conflicts. But what if Hucke was at the helm? With the many years of experience at the club, high school and collegiate levels, Hucke could turn around this program that was once feared in not just the league but the entire state.
Fallon returns several junior and sophomore standouts and with the right direction from the top, this team could turn some heads around in the fall.
Thomas Ranson can be contacted at lvnsports@yahoo.com.