Video: Taylor Bigby, Jade Thomas highlights
See two of Centennial's standouts in action.
The pressure never stops, and it comes from everywhere. A seemingly endless line of relentless, skilled and focused athletes attacks from all angles, leaving opponents breathless, confused and on the wrong end of the score.
That's Centennial basketball, and that's why Karen Weitz's team has won six straight Nevada 4A titles — but that's also why it's sometimes difficult to zero in and choose the team's best player.
But someone has to do that difficult job, and that would be us, so we're going with junior Taylor Bigby as the
2019-20 Suddenlink Nevada Player of the Year. Bigby is a 5-foot-11 athletic wing who, as a junior, has already committed to the powerhouse Oregon program, and of course plays a huge role in Centennial's success.
If you're looking for big numbers, though, Centennial is not the place to find them. Not only does Weitz play lots of players, Centennial dominates so many of its opponents that its stars seldom play enough to rack up dazzling stats — as is the case with Bigby.
But just ask opponents how effective Bigby is for Centennial's devastating press, or how hard it is to keep her off the boards, or how dangerous she can be with the ball in her hands. The answers will make it clear that she's the best choice.
NEVADA ALL-STATE TEAM PRESENTED BY SUDDENLINK
First Team
5-11 | Junior | Forward
On a team with three exceptional seniors, Bigby stands out — and she'll be back next year to try to push Centennial to its seventh straight state title.
5-8 |Sophomore | Gurd
Spring Valley finished the season 26-6, and Gayles was a big reason why. Her 12.5 points per game and 6.6 rebounds per game were impressive, but she added 4.2 steals a night as well.
5-10 | Senior | Forward
Thomas comes from a basketball family — both parents and her siblings played — so it made sense for her to play her college ball at home at UNLV. After all, she's got a built-in fan base.
5-7 | Senior | Guard
Wadsworth ran the show for 22-5 Spanish Springs, averaging 5.4 assists a game while also scoring 13.0 points and collecting 2.9 steals.
6-1 | Senior | Center
Young led Desert Oasis all the way to the state 4A finals, but ran into foul trouble so the powerful post couldn't match her 13.6 ppg and 7.2 rpg regular-season totals.
Taylor Bigby, Centennial
File photo by Doug Stringer
6-1 | Senior | Center
The UC San Diego-bound forward had 14 points in the state title game and was a key cog in the pressing, running Centennial machine.
5-8 | Senior | Guard
Holt definitely filled up the stat sheet for 21-5 Bishop Manogue: 16.1 points, 9.0 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 7.0 steals a game. Plus her assist-to-turnover ratio was 2.0.
5-7 | Senior | Guard
The smooth senior sparked Bishop Gorman to 18 wins with a solid perimeter game and a silky pull-up jumper that equated to 18 points, six rebounds and three assist per game.
5-10 | Senior | Forward
Phillips did it all in the state title game — 11 points, seven rebounds, five assists — and that performance reflected what she brought to the floor every night.
5-5 | Senior | Guard
The perimeter complement to the powerful Young, Pricebrooks scored 10.6 points a game and handed out 3.2 assists — many of them to Young.
Third Team5-9 | Senior | Forward
With 14.4 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.9 steals a game, Baraza joined Wadsworth as the leaders of one of northern Nevada's consistent winners.
5-6 | Junior | Guard
Despite being only 5-6, Davis averaged 7.3 rebounds a game — but she also scored 11.3 points per nigth and is a serious threat from beyond the arc.
5-11 | Junior | Forward
You expect a forward to score (Jensen averaged 15.1 ppg) and rebound (6.8), but when she also can contribute 2.9 assists a game, now you've got an all-state player.
5-8 | Senior | Guard
One of the top scorers in the state, Perkins averaged 21.6 points a game — but she also averaged a double-double, as she contributed 10.5 rebounds as well. And don't forget the 5.1 steals.
5-5 | Junior | Guard
True point guards are hard to find, so any coach would be happy with Watkins' 3.3 assist-to-turnover ratio — especially when complemented by her 38 percent 3-point shooting, 10.4 points and 5.4 rebounds a game.
Bentleigh Hoskins, Bishop Gorman
File photo by David Steutel
