Ray Brewer

Story Archive

Canyon Springs High graduate Juron Criner ready for shot in NFL, likely to be picked in next week's draft

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

One projection generously has wide receiver Juron Criner being selected in the first round of next week’s NFL Draft. A majority of the others have him being picked in the mid-to-late rounds. But Criner, a 2008 graduate of Canyon Springs High School, doesn’t spend much time worrying about what the so-called experts think.

A swim team looks for victories without winning

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

When the Chaparral High School boys swimming team steps off the bus for practice at the Henderson Multigenerational Center Outdoor Competition Pool, it hardly registers as a team.

4. John Kruk (1984-86)

He still remains friends with veteran Las Vegas executive Don Logan, speaks highly of stint with the Las Vegas Stars

Monday, April 2, 2012

John Kruk never holds back when giving an opinion while serving as a baseball analyst for ESPN. It’s the same way when talking about his appreciation for the Las Vegas Triple-A franchise. Kruk, long before he appeared in the 1993 World Series with the Philadelphia Phillies or became a colorful television personality, was a member of the Las Vegas Stars from 1984 to 1987.

27. Kevin Higgins (1990-94)

On one day in late August 1994, Kevin Higgins played all nine positions in Las Vegas Stars victory

Monday, April 2, 2012

The Las Vegas 51s open the season Thursday at Cashman Field against the Sacramento RiverCats to begin their 30th season of baseball in Southern Nevada, which gives us a reason to look back at some of the great players to wear a Las Vegas jersey.

30. Larry Brown (1983-84)

The former relief pitcher was elected to the LV city council in 1996 and helped build three major parks in his Ward

Monday, April 2, 2012

Larry Brown’s legacy in Las Vegas has very little to do with the two seasons he played for the Las Vegas Stars.

25. Randy Ruiz (2009)

For 114 games in 2009, Randy Ruiz might have been franchise's best all-time slugger

Monday, April 2, 2012

In terms of pure power, Randy Ruiz might have been the best slugger in Las Vegas Stars/51s history.

1. Kevin McReynolds (1983)

Some 30 years later, fans are still talking about the home run he hit in 1983

Monday, April 2, 2012

You won’t find a category for furthest home run hit in the Las Vegas 51s’ record book and there is no official record of how far this blast traveled.

At Western High School, baseball helping young players become young men

Saturday, March 31, 2012

When Tommy Krier, the Western High School baseball coach, returned home Monday night after a game, his wife greeted him with the usual question: “Did you win?” His team seldom tasted victory. Yeah, 3-2, the soft-spoken Krier nonchalantly responded. And it took a few moments for it to sink in on his wife how huge that was: Her husband’s rag-tag Warriors were playing Sierra Vista that night.

Anthony Bennett leads Findlay Prep to easy win at national championship tourney opener

Thursday, March 29, 2012

Anthony Bennett’s hectic travel schedule was a non-factor Thursday for the Findlay Prep basketball team, as he helped lead them to an easy 79-44 victory in the ESPN National High School Invitational Championship.

Despite quarterfinal loss, Lady Rebels heading in right direction with 22-win season

New Mexico closes on a 16-4 run to eliminate UNLV in quarterfinal round of women's tournament

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

This loss will definitely sting for the UNLV women’s basketball team. However, the quarterfinal defeat on Wednesday in the Mountain West Conference tournament won’t take away from what has been a break through season. The Lady Rebels squandered a nine-point second half lead Wednesday with less than 10 minutes remaining against New Mexico at the Thomas & Mack Center, falling to recover after New Mexico connected on four consecutive 3-pointers to erase the deficit in a 61-58 loss.

NASCAR weekend in Las Vegas means free driver appearances, autograph sessions

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

If you can’t make it to the Las Vegas Motor Speedway for this week’s races, several of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and Nationwide Series stars will be coming to you. Several businesses in Southern Nevada will be hosting free events starting Wednesday.

Mark your calendars: UNLV's 2012 football schedule officially set with four home games to open season

The Rebels open Mountain West Conference play Sept. 22 at home by hosting Air Force

Friday, March 2, 2012

The UNLV football team’s 13-game schedule for the 2012 season is officially set. And, for a team looking to improve on consecutive two-win seasons, the Rebels have to be pleased with how the schedule lines up The Mountain West Conference Friday released dates for league games, with UNLV playing home contests at Sam Boyd Stadium against Air Force (Sept. 22), UNR (Oct. 13) in the Fremont Cannon game, New Mexico (Nov. 3) and Wyoming (Nov. 17).

UNLV coach Bobby Hauck preaches the importance of reading to students during Nevada Reading Week

The coach, an avid fan of historical fiction writer Leon Uris, reads every night

Thursday, March 1, 2012

When UNLV football coach Bobby Hauck visited a classroom of kindergarten students Wednesday at Crestwood Elementary School in Las Vegas for Nevada Reading Week, the coach was more than familiar with some of the books the children have read. All four of Hauck’s young children read every night; the coach told the school children “Green Eggs and Ham” by Dr. Seuss is his favorite.

Husband and wife coaching duo never stopped believing

Green Valley's improbable run to state tournament continues tonight

Thursday, Feb. 23, 2012

As Danna Jarvis walked closer to the locker room, she could hear members of the Green Valley High basketball team getting louder in their celebration.

Practicing for the state tournament, fighting wind, cold and chain-link nets

Since August, Green Valley's Durrell McDonald and Devan Kohn have been honing their skills on a court more fitting for pickup games

Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2012

It’s a chilly Sunday afternoon and Durrell McDonald, a key to Green Valley High School’s journey to this week’s state basketball tournament, is shooting hoops to stay sharp. But he’s not at the school’s gym with its polished wood floor or at an athletic club, or anywhere indoors suitable for one of the state’s top players.

Gorman baseball player Joey Gallo has big bat, talent to merit first-round draft pick

Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2012

Joey Gallo rushes into the home dugout at the Bishop Gorman High baseball complex and quickly changes into his practice gear. Next thing you know, Gallo is driving a utility cart, fetching groundskeeping equipment to prepare the infield.

Gorman grad finds niche, sets world records with Harlem Globetrotters

Monday, Feb. 13, 2012

Scooter Christensen makes a living spinning a basketball on his head and nose. His job: to put a smile on a fans’ face — something he has mastered.

Mojave High grad 'living a dream' at Murray State

Donte Poole having a breakout year for Racers, which went undefeated until Thursday night

Friday, Feb. 10, 2012

Murray State guard Donte Poole remembers playing basketball games in front of 500 or less fans. He remembers how few media, if any, covered the games.

Sisters earn respect on the wrestling mat

Monday, Jan. 9, 2012

When high school wrestler Meghan Clarke steps on the mat for a match with her junior varsity team at Shadow Ridge High School, the sophomore with long, curly blonde hair and a sweet smile knows people are watching in amazement.

Western High girls’ basketball team captures spirit of school's turnaround

Saturday, Jan. 7, 2012

With just 10 minutes remaining for practice, high school sophomore guard Jocelyn Jordan hustles onto the basketball floor, out of breath. She’s late. Again. Jordan had jogged from the city bus stop on Decatur Boulevard near the school, ending her daily two-bus, hourlong journey just in time to join the last minutes of a scrimmage.

Four young Las Vegas football players are rising stars

Friday, Dec. 23, 2011

These four youth football players could be the area’s next high school stars.

UNLV hoops player won't be home for Christmas, but he's 'used to it'

Senior center Brice Massamba came to Las Vegas from Sweden in 2006 to play high school ball at Findlay Prep

Thursday, Dec. 22, 2011

A near three-day break for the UNLV basketball team will allow some players to return to their hometowns for the holidays. It’s just nearly impossible to travel from Las Vegas to Sweden, which means Rebels’ senior center Brice Massamba will be spending another Christmas away from family while playing basketball in Southern Nevada.

9-year-old Las Vegas gymnast prospect for 2020 Olympics

Maile O’Keefe has a work ethic and passion for gymnastics that belie her nine years

Friday, Dec. 16, 2011

It’s the middle of the afternoon on a weekday at the Academy of Gymnastics and Dance in Henderson and Maile O’Keefe is meticulously organizing a group of six other gymnasts at the start of their five-hour practice routine.

Canyon Springs High grad goes from homeless to $100,000 scholarship winner

Dr Pepper helps Ivon Padilla-Rodriguez realizes her dream of a college education

Friday, Dec. 9, 2011

Las Vegas teenager Ivon Padilla-Rodriguez couldn’t hold back her tears of joy. Standing on the football field at the packed Georgia Dome last Saturday, the 18-year-old had just won a $100,000 college scholarship from Dr Pepper for her accuracy in throwing a football, and it was dawning on her that she could now pay for college.

Desert Pines guard Julian Jacobs stands out even among a group of stars, part of Sun's Super Seven team

Monday, Dec. 5, 2011

This local high school basketball player will take college recruiters off the beaten path this winter on the recruiting trail. College coaches are a constant presence each season at local high school gyms in the Las Vegas Valley.

Bishop Gorman scores 72 points, captures third straight state title with domination of Reed

Saturday, Dec. 3, 2011

There wasn’t much suspense Saturday at Damonte Ranch High in Reno for the 4A classification state championship football game. After all, virtually every contest Bishop Gorman High has played the past three years has been decided before halftime. Saturday was no exception.

Rebels party like it's 1990, knock off top-ranked North Carolina

The victory is one of the most significant in two decades, signaling another step in the program's rebirth

Sunday, Nov. 27, 2011

Some 15 minutes after supporters of the UNLV basketball team stormed the court at the Orleans Arena to celebrate the Rebels’ upset victory against top-ranked North Carolina, coach Dave Rice finally worked his way past a long line of well wishers to the team’s locker room. As he approached, he could hear joyful players continuing the celebration, cherishing a 90-80 victory against the No. 1 Tar Heels in the Las Vegas Invitational finals.

Once again, it's Gorman-Palo: State's top two teams set to play for Sunset title

Rivalry has developed despite teams not playing in regular season, annually is valley's most important game

Thursday, Nov. 17, 2011

It didn’t take long for Bishop Gorman High football coach Tony Sanchez to realize the most important game on the Gaels’ schedule. When Sanchez was hired three years ago, one of the things stressed to him during his first days on the job was the importance of beating neighborhood rival Palo Verde — something he initially found odd because the annual meeting with Palo Verde isn’t a regularly scheduled game. It just appears that way. The Summerlin area schools will meet at 8 p.m. Friday at Gorman’s Fertitta Field in the Sunset Regional championship game, playing in the playoffs for the fifth consecutive season

Defensive effort against Nevada-Reno gives Rebels something to build on

UNLV has been solid defensively to open the season, holding Wolf Pack to 32 percent shooting

Monday, Nov. 14, 2011

Give credit to the UNLV basketball team’s defense for this victory. While first-year coach Dave Rice’s fast-paced offense has created most of the buzz, his pressure defensive strategies are getting the more noteworthy results. The Rebels limited visiting Nevada-Reno to seven first-half field goals Monday, holding the Wolf Pack to 32 percent shooting in a 71-67 victory for their second win in four days to open the season.

Local product Anthony Marshall more than familiar with importance of rivalry game with Nevada-Reno

While the rivalry isn't heated, the Mojave High graduate knows its significance with fans

Monday, Nov. 14, 2011

When the UNLV basketball team takes the court at 7 p.m. Monday at the Thomas & Mack Center against visiting Nevada-Reno, junior guard Anthony Marshall won’t have to be reminded what’s on the line against the Rebels’ instate rivals. Marshall, who was raised in Southern Nevada, knows there is a certain pride on the line when facing an opponent from the North — whether it’s on the big stage of college athletics, playing for a state high school title or a simple AAU game. “UNLV and Reno are rivals. For me, and the people I was around growing up, there’s always been a rivalry in everything (with Reno),” said Marshall, who attended Mojave High and has the local 702 area code tattooed on his upper arm. “For me, this game means something.”

Next step for Manny Pacquiao might involve another fight with Juan Manuel Marquez

Pacquiao takes another controversial decision against Marquez, likely winning the fight by being aggressive in final round

Sunday, Nov. 13, 2011

Manny Pacquiao has made the media wait before. Each time the boxing superstar fights, the massive media contingent covering his every move races to a nearby conference room to wait for Pacquiao to rehash the victory. Pacquiao always takes his time before arriving, but eventually shows up.

Performances from Justin Hawkins, Mike Moser in opening night victory give Rebels something to build on

Hawkins had a game-high 25 points, while Moser collects 20 rebounds in his UNLV debut

Saturday, Nov. 12, 2011

Mike Moser’s debut with the UNLV basketball team couldn’t have gone any better Friday with a game-high 20 rebounds and 16 points in the Rebels’ 83-66 victory against Division II Grand Canyon at the Thomas & Mack Center.

Public school teams will get crack at beating Findlay Prep

Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2011

Las Vegas High basketball coach Jason Wilson couldn’t have asked for a better nonleague game for his team to play in. The Wildcats are one of three Southern Nevada public schools scheduled to play national power Findlay Prep, facing off against the Henderson-based team Dec. 17 at the South Point Arena. Findlay, which takes players from around the country for its top-caliber team of blue-chip recruits, is in its sixth year of existence at Henderson International School. The Pilots have twice won the ESPN RISE national championship and are regulars in virtually every national ranking

Former UNLV rodeo standouts McBride and Coleman still part of festivities at PBR World Finals

Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2011

Justin McBride and Ross Coleman won’t be competing in this year’s PBR World Finals at the Thomas & Mack Center, but the former UNLV rodeo teammates will be close to the action and doing their best to promote the sport. After all, it’s a sport that has been very good to them.

UNLV's Sandrine Nzeukou learns to lead playing for Cameroon national team

Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2011

It didn’t take long for Sandrine Nzeukou to realize she living out a dream. Nzeukou, a senior post player on the UNLV women’s basketball team, played for her native Cameroon last month.

New UNLV basketball season ticket holders on the rise

First-year coach Dave Rice deserves part of the credit for 700 new season ticket holders

Thursday, Oct. 20, 2011

Dave Rice is doing more than coaching the UNLV basketball team. He’s also helping at the box office. The hype surrounding Rice, the Rebels’ first-year coach who was part of the 1990 national championship team, has helped generate 700 new season ticket holders.

Rivals Chaparral, Eldorado fired up for Cleat Game

Thursday, Oct. 20, 2011

Chaparral High School football player Toure Williams can’t get this image out of his head. Not in the minutes after his team lost last fall in the “Cleat Game” to rival Eldorado High, and not one year later as the teams prepare for this year’s installment of one of Southern Nevada’s longest and most storied matchups, dating back nearly four decades

High School Football Picks: Week Nine

Monday, Oct. 17, 2011

Las Vegas Sun reporters Ray Brewer and Case Keefer make their picks for every prep football game in Las Vegas.

Local racer Brendan Gaughan back for Truck Series race

Saturday, Oct. 15, 2011

Brendan Gaughan remembers the roar of the crowd and standing in disbelief trying to figure out why the fans were so excited. When the Las Vegas driver was introduced during pre-race ceremonies at the 2003 NASCAR Truck Series race in Las Vegas, he asked a publicist next to him why the 80,000-plus fans were cheering so wildly.

Western High football to forfeit final 3 games after hazing

Friday, Oct. 14, 2011

The Western High football team’s season ended Friday when school officials announced they were forfeiting the final three games after multiple players were suspended for being involved in an on-campus hazing incident

High School Football Picks: Week Seven

Monday, Oct. 3, 2011

Las Vegas Sun reporters Ray Brewer and Case Keefer make their picks for every prep football game in Las Vegas.

No tickets remain for Gorman, Servite football game

Thursday, Sept. 29, 2011

If you don’t have tickets for Friday’s Bishop Gorman High football game against visiting Servite High of Anaheim, Calif., you’ll have to watch the game on ESPNU.

Timberlake golf tournament a time for good causes, low-scoring action on the links

Thursday, Sept. 29, 2011

John Nagel and his wife, Sara, traveled to Las Vegas this week to attend the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open at TPC Summerlin, arriving Tuesday with a simple plan: watch some professional golf and, more important, get as many autographs as possible.

Cheyenne running backs rushing the Desert Shields back into prominence

Thursday, Sept. 22, 2011

On a side wall in the Cheyenne High School weight room hangs a tribute to the former players in the football program’s hall of fame.

High School Football Picks: Week Five

Monday, Sept. 19, 2011

Las Vegas Sun reporters Ray Brewer and Case Keefer make their picks for every prep football game in Las Vegas.

Henderson Bowl rivalry still gets both teams pumped

Annual football game between Basic and Green Valley highs entering its 21st consecutive season

Thursday, Sept. 15, 2011

Basic High School quarterback Eddie Vega walked out to the practice field Tuesday holding the Henderson Bowl trophy, placing it on a table near midfield on the Wolf Pack sideline so his teammates could be reminded this is no ordinary week of practice.

Vegas boxer Vargas eager to seize the moment

Undefeated Palo Verde grad relishes role in undercard of Saturday's Mayweather event

Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2011

When Jessie Vargas steps into the boxing ring Saturday at the MGM Grand Garden Arena for the most significant fight in his career, don’t expect the 22-year-old Las Vegas resident to be intimidated.

Dirt lot at Sam Boyd Stadium gets an upgrade

Fans have long complained about the dust before and after UNLV home football games

Monday, Sept. 12, 2011

Fans attending the UNLV football team’s home opener against Hawaii Saturday at Sam Boyd Stadium will notice a significant upgrade outside the facility. The all-dirt parking lot in south and east of the stadium has been partially covered with an asphalt milling substance, an upgrade that covers around two-thirds of the dirt and should minimize the dust before and after games.

High School Football Picks: Week Three

Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2011

Las Vegas Sun reporters Ray Brewer and Case Keefer make their picks for every prep football game in Las Vegas.

Las Vegas High football eager to prove it's still one of the state's best

Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2011

Las Vegas High football coach James Thurman has a message for the rest of the Northeast Division: Talk about the cupboard being bare of talented players on his roster is grossly exaggerated.
The perennial power, which had only two defeats in league play the past four years but had to replace 18 starters from last year’s league champion and regional runner-up team, still has the personnel to be mentioned among the state’s elite.