Silverado’s McDade honored

Few high school hitters are as feared as Silverado senior Mike McDade.

The 6-foot-2-inch, 240-pound switch-hitting catcher slammed an area-best 12 home runs this spring.

For his efforts, McDade was named the Class 4A Southern Nevada Player of the Year by area coaches.

"The way the ball comes off Mike’s bat is just different than everybody else," Silverado coach Brian Whitaker said. "He’s just a real special guy offensively.

"When he makes square contact, the ball just jumps."

McDade batted .451 with 45 RBIs in the regular season, leading the Skyhawks to the Southeast Division championship.

Whitaker said McDade has signed with the Community College of Southern Nevada. Whitaker said he thinks McDade also will be selected in the major league draft.

"He’s worked for everything he’s got," Whitaker said. "Nothing’s been handed to him, and he deserves anything he gets."

McDade was selected at catcher on the 4A All-Southern Nevada team.

Three of McDade’s teammates — outfielder Jordan Keegan, third baseman Chase Bradford and pitcher Kevin Rath — also were first-team selections.

Joining Keegan in the outfield were Bishop Gorman’s Joey Rickard, Arbor View’s Robbie Garvey and Green Valley’s Kyle Konicek.

The other first-team infielders were Gorman first baseman Jeff Malm, Cimarron-Memorial second baseman Travis Feiner and Durango shortstop Niko Vasquez.

Durango’s Kyle Dimartino, Sierra Vista’s Matt Klein and Las Vegas’ Bryan Harper were the other pitchers.

Las Vegas’ Marvin Campbell was selected at designated hitter, and Canyon Springs’ Tyler Smith was the utility player.

• LIONS GAME — The annual Lions Club All-Star football game will take place at 7 p.m. Saturday at Las Vegas High School.

The game pits the top seniors from the Sunrise Region against the top seniors from the Sunset.

Palo Verde’s Darwin Rost will coach the Sunset team, and Las Vegas’ Chris Faircloth will guide the Sunrise.

• SIGNINGS — Palo Verde boys basketball standout Mike Loyd has signed with Brigham Young.

The 6-2 Loyd averaged 16.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 2.4 steals for the Panthers last season.

Also, five area softball players have signed with Southern Utah.

Las Vegas third baseman Darleen Fernandez, Bonanza shortstop Stephanie DeJesus, Silverado infielder Shannon Goble, Green Valley catcher Lindsey Headley and Cimarron catcher Brittany Henderson have signed with the Thunderbirds.

• 1A SOFTBALL — Lake Mead took two of the top honors as the Class 1A Southern League announced its all-league teams.

Lake Mead’s Helen Borger was named the Most Valuable Pitcher, and Kirk Pierzini was voted coach of the year.

Laughlin’s Riyan Flannelly was named Most Valuable Player.