By MARIO AGUIRRE | STAFF WRITER
MISSION — As the lone post player on a four-guard lineup, Mike Madrigal takes pride as the bruiser inside for Sharyland Pioneer.
At 6-foot-5, the junior is the team’s tallest player by about three inches, and perhaps the most eager to welcome every bit of contact inside.
“It’s fun,” he said, smiling. “I think I’ve gotten better at it.”
A year ago, Madrigal played the power forward position for the Diamondbacks, who were in search of some semblance of continuity in their inaugural season. Much of the team, like Madrigal, were juniors, each looking for their own best interests. But since reloading its 15-man roster with nine new players (seven JV call-ups, two transfers), Pioneer has formed a new identity — that of an uptempo team, with an inside threat in Madrigal, who averages 7.8 points and 6.4 rebounds per game.
“Everyone’s buying into the philosophy,” coach Rene Gonzalez said. “We’re still jelling, but the main thing is they help each other.”
Madrigal has played a pivotal role in that success. Where last year the Diamondbacks were an afterthought in the playoff picture, they now find themselves very much a part of the conversation. After Tuesday’s win over Sharyland High, Pioneer (18-11, 6-3) pit itself in a two-way tie for second place in District 31-5A with Valley View (19-13,6-3).
At the center of it is Madrigal, who has been groomed for the role since his freshman year at Sharyland High, when he battled Patrick De La Torre and Jose De La Garza — All-Valley first-team selections who have since graduated — in practice each day. To prepare for an enhanced role this year, Madrigal trained during the offseason, specifically on his footwork and strength, and it has paid dividends for the Diamondbacks.
That’s helped Madrigal’s comfort level in the paint, where he’s proven himself an able passer and a capable scoring threat.
“He keeps growing,” Pioneer first assistant Fernando Rodriguez said. “He’s getting better and stronger, and he’s played a key part in our offense. We have confidence he can go 1-on-1, if we need him.”
Madrigal’s value to the team was never felt more than when he was sidelined with an ankle injury earlier in the season. The team’s rebounding slipped, and the Diamondbacks struggled with interior scoring.
With him back in the lineup, though, Pioneer has flourished. They’ve returned only two starters from a year ago, yet the Diamondbacks are able to play with what Madrigal describes as “chemistry basketball” because of their relationship with one another.
“We’re just playing way better than we were last year,” Madrigal. “Last year, we were divided. Each was to their own. But now we have way better teamwork. A lot of chemistry that we built over the summer.”
Gonzalez points to the team’s bond as the catalyst, especially off the court. The team regularly dines together, and spends time with one another in social settings. It’s helped their chemistry this year, as they looked to dramatically improve things from their inaugural season.
“I know being a second-year school, some teams think it’s going to be easy to win,” Gonzalez said. “But we work hard. We know we have to earn their respect; nothing’s going to be given to us. And their attitude has been awesome. I’m just honored to be called their coach.”
Gonzalez lauds players like Madrigal, “who does all the dirty work.” Or Jordan Wilson, a transfer from Harlingen High, who averages a team-high 13.9 points per game this season. Roosevelt Martin, one of only three seniors on the roster, has also come up big, averaging 10.8 points a night, along with Jorge Suarez, the team’s leading ball distributor.
“They’re great players to be around,” Madrigal said. “Just being more selfless, making the extra pass, rebounding, that’s been key. No one really wanted to do that last year, and I think we’re better now because of it.”