It's OK to come out and play -- the mean lady is gone now.
The Wooster stranglehold on softball in the 4A class is loosened now that Brianne McGowan is graduated and playing at Oregon State after leading the Colts to four consecutive state titles. That means Centennial, Sierra Vista, Cimarron-Memorial and the rest of the Southern contenders all have a real chance at the crown for the first time in five years.
In both of the past two seasons, Centennial fell victim to the Wooster machine despite playing spectacular ball throughout the season. Both times, McGowan and the Bulldogs' Shannon Crisp battled in classic duels, with Wooster winning a pair of 1-0 games.
Now a senior, Crisp inherits the title of Nevada's best pitcher as she attempts to get her first state championship after a lot of heartbreak.
"They've been there and that's not good enough," Centennial coach Michael Livreri said. "We've got to get over the hump, try to get it all."
Livreri, in his first year leading the Bulldogs, must replace Dani Delgado atop the lineup. But beyond Delgado, the Bulldogs are loaded down the middle of the lineup, led by Crisp and seniors Tory Healy and Whitney Hance.
"We've got a strong lineup, very good lineup," Livreri said. "We're still tinkering with our leadoff, but other than that, our 3-4-5-6 is pretty solid."
For as good as the offense can be, the Bulldogs' chances begin and end with Crisp, a three-time All-State first teamer who will play for UNLV next year. In 2003, Crisp went 28-7 with a 0.58 ERA and 389 strikeouts. At the plate, Crisp led Centennial in batting average (.471), home runs (11) and RBIs (37).
"Awesome weapon knowing she's on the mound," Livreri said. "She's a clutch pitcher. She's ready. She's been in these kind of situations where you can count on her. You can see it. She's just driven. She wants it bad."
Crisp's main competition in the South is likely to come from Sierra Vista. Last season, the Lions surprised many by making a run to the state playoffs with a youthful roster featuring six freshmen in key roles. Led by senior Danielle Martinez, another Rebels' signee, the Lions are primed to control the Southwest Division.
The Bulldogs will have some competition within their own division as well. Both Cimarron-Memorial and Palo Verde are traditionally strong squads that found success in last year's playoffs.
The Spartans feature one of the Valley's best all-around players in senior Kim Adams. Her strong pitching is second only to Crisp, and Adams and Lindi Kennedy will pace the Cimarron offense. Palo Verde will rely on the bat of senior catcher Savannah Miele and the arm of sophomore Lindsey Calloway to replace the gritty effectiveness of Renee Dipuccio, who keyed the Panthers.
The Sunrise Region is still searching for a challenger to the strength of the Sunset this year. Despite controlling the Sunrise for the past decade, Silverado comes into the 2004 campaign without its prohibitive favorite crown.
The Skyhawks graduated a core of seniors and went throughout a tumultuous coaching change in the middle of last season's playoffs. New coach Steve Hodges is playing one of the city's toughest preseason schedules -- featuring cross-town foes Centennial and Sierra Vista -- to get his young team some experience against the best.
"They're not going to be any better down the line if we don't get them experience now," Hodges said.
Green Valley's Meaghan Haley and Coronado's Nyshele Miller will give their respective teams a chance to knock off the Skyhawks in the Southeast Division.
A host of returning players gives Las Vegas the preseason edge in the Northeast Division. There could be a challenge from Desert Pines, whose Kristina Brooks already has a no-hitter this season.
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