BY JON R. LaFOLLETTE | STAFF WRITER
McAllen Rowe was seven points away from an undefeated tour of District 30-6A a season ago. A 35-29 loss to McAllen Memorial spoiled an otherwise impressive season which saw the Lady Warriors earn a district title and finish as one of the top teams in the Valley.
There’s reason for optimism again in 2015. Rowe returns five senior starters, including volleyball standouts Mayda Garcia and Ryela Rodriguez. Garcia was named district MVP a season ago, and Rodriguez made second team all-district.
But coach Raul Vega isn’t taking anything for granted as his team aims to defend its district title.
“We can’t base anything on preseason predictions or expectations,” Vega said. “We’re just going to work hard, take things game-by-game, make each game a learning experience and focus on the little things. That way, hopefully the big stuff comes together.”
The Lady Warriors hope to get back senior point guard Deanna Spear, who suffered a torn tendon in her foot in September during Volleyball season. Vega says he’s eyeing a mid-December return for Spear, just in time for the beginning of district play.
“I don’t really worry about her trying to come back in terms of where she fits on the team,” Vega said. “Because of her experience and playing time, she’s fine in those regards. I’m more concerned that injury gets healed completely.”
Rowe begins the season at the McAllen High girls basketball tournament on Nov. 19.
LADY RAIDER DOWN
PSJA North point guard Sarah Serrano will miss the first six weeks of the season after suffering a knee injury during practice. The senior guard will undergo surgery Friday to repair torn cartilage.
Upon her return, Serrano looks to share the bulk of North’s high-scoring offensive load with teammates Belle Palacios and Ariana Medrano. Last year, Serrano averaged 11.6 points, 7 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 3.4 steals per game for a Lady Raiders team that won a share of the District 31-6A title and advanced to the regional quarterfinals.
North lost two starters from last year’s squad, including Cynthia Martinez, who led the team in points per game (13.2) and led the Valley in 3-pointers made (118). Medrano will look to replicate Martinez’s production from long range. A season ago, Medrano averaged 8.8 pointers per game and connected 43 times from behind the arc.
The Lady Raiders open the season at home against Hidalgo on Nov. 10.
COMMUNICATION SKILLS
Laurynn Williams’ plan was to better herself over the summer through a summer team helmed by Valley View coach Arnold Martinez.
Then the Donna High guard broke a toe during a non-basketball related accident.
Though the damaged appendage set back her offseason work load, Williams, a junior, is healthy and ready to help the Bravettes defend the District 32-5A title.
“This year, I would say we need to be better at communication,” Williams said. “We’ve got a lot of new faces on the team this year. Three of our seniors graduated. The leadership is there, now it’s just the commitment to get better.”
Donna High begins its season at La Joya Juarez-Lincoln on Nov. 10.
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