League shuffle creates new rivalries, competitive balance

The realignment of the Northern 4A leagues goes into effect starting this fall.

The swap of Reno, Hug and North Valleys from the Sierra League for the High Desert's Galena, Manogue and Fallon will drastically change the competitive landscape in every sport " some for the better and some for the worse.

Generally speaking, the changes were proposed to bring the majority of schools as close together as possible geographically.

Rural schools like Elko and Fallon, there's nothing much that could be done to cut the distance (although one athletic director had proposed a rural league and an urban league which would have grouped the majority of Washoe County's schools together and left the remaining schools to play each other).

Obviously, that didn't fly.

With the switch, though, a number of new rivalries have been created.

For one, Manogue, Galena and Damonte Ranch have been brought together for a south Reno triangle that will surely provide some interesting storylines in the coming years. All three schools draw from the same feeder systems (although Manogue arguably has a greater reach with it being a private school).

A long tradition of classic playoff matchups between Galena and Douglas will get moved to the league season.

Reno and Reed land in the same league for the traditional Reno/Sparks rivalry and Spanish Springs and North Valleys also get grouped together in the High Desert.

A couple of heated rivalries, like Reno-Douglas and Elko-Fallon, do get lost although each school has said they'll look to keep the rivalries alive in non-league play.

Here's a quick breakdown of how each of the major sports will look.

FOOTBALL

The High Desert has gone from tough to tougher with the swap. Powerhouses McQueen and Reed stay while Reno joins the mix.

With the exception of Galena and Wooster, every regional championship since the turn of the millenium now resides in the High Desert League.

Spanish Springs, Hug, North Valleys and Elko will be left to fight for the remaining playoff spots.

The Sierra League gains Manogue, probably the best shot at long-term competitiveness, and a strong Galena program. Douglas will always be in the mix and the remaining teams all seem to be on upswings.

VOLLEYBALL

The defending regional champion Reno Huskies move to the High Desert, taking also-rans Hug and North Valleys with them.

The Sierra gains traditional powerhouses Galena and Fallon, not to mention always-competitive Manogue with them.

With Douglas, Carson and South Tahoe all looking like playoff contenders, the Sierra League gets the edge in competitiveness here.

BOYS' SOCCER

The Sierra League has long been the mightier of the two, but losing Reno and gaining perennial playoff contenders Galena and Fallon makes it that much tougher.

Douglas, Carson, South Tahoe and Wooster will make for a very crowded Sierra League playoff picture.

"This will be by far the hardest division we have ever played in," Douglas coach Milko Vasquez said. "We'll have a fight on our hands every game. It's a good thing, it's the way you want it to be."

GIRLS' SOCCER

Defending champ Reed stays on the High Desert side and gains an always tough Reno squad. Shipping Galena and Fallon to the Sierra adds considerable depth to the Sierra, but on the whole both leagues should be fairly balanced.

BOYS' BASKETBALL

2008 state champ Reno moves to the High Desert while 2007 state champ Galena moves to the Sierra.

Hug for Manogue is a pretty even trade as well, although one has to think Manogue's potential has only begun to be tapped.

North Valleys is a pretty good basketball school and coupled with Reed, Spanish Springs, McQueen and Elko, makes for a solid league top-to-bottom.

GIRLS' BASKETBALL

The Reno-Reed matchups will be incredible year-in and year-out.

Spanish Springs and McQueen will be the logical next level down.

The Sierra League loses perennial league champ Reno, but gains Galena and Manogue. Fallon isn't any slouch in girls' hoops either. All of it adds up to two pretty tough leagues.

WRESTLING

Everyone with a shot at the regional team title will be in the Sierra League.

Every week will feature at least one marquee dual with the likes of Douglas, Carson, Fallon, Galena and Damonte Ranch battling for the league title.

BASEBALL

Reno and Galena are a fairly even swap, Manogue is a big upgrade over Hug and North Valleys and Fallon seem more or less interchangeable.

The remaining five in the Sierra League are all legitimate playoff contenders, so that's where the edge here goes.

Reno should have a field day in the High Desert as Reed and Spanish Springs appear to be the biggest competition.

SOFTBALL

Again, the High Desert is unbelievable.

Spanish Springs is the logical top dog, although Reno will be chasing closely.

Reed and McQueen have been solid for years, leaving Elko, Hug and North Valleys in a tough situation in terms of ever seeing a playoff spot.

Douglas should be the early favorite in the Sierra League, as the apparent trade here is Reno for Fallon.

Galena and Manogue are upgrades over Hug and North Valleys and will battle Carson, Damonte Ranch, South Tahoe and Wooster for playoff spots.