By KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer
HARLINGEN — What a difference a year makes.
At this time last year, senior Ariel Leal was rehabbing an injured knee and was on the road to recovery. While the road was tough and filled with emotion, Leal wasn’t about to let the injury keep her from getting back on the court.
The senior returned to the Harlingen High lineup healthy and eager to right the wrong. Leal did just that as she provided leadership, hustle and sheer will to help guide the Lady Cardinals to another district title and a trip to the regional quarterfinal round of the playoffs.
Leal was the director of the team’s offense and was named the Valley Morning Star All-STAR Girls Basketball Most Valuable Player.
“This means a lot to me. This is an award I’ve always wanted to win,” Leal said. “I was newcomer of the year when I was a freshman and now I’m an MVP. Ever since I was a little kid I wanted to be an MVP of something.”
Leal showed no fear and played the entire season. She averaged 7.6 points, 3.1 rebounds, 2.9 steals and 4.6 assists per game.
“It was heartbreaking when I got hurt, but at that time I didn’t think I had torn anything I still had hope that I would be OK. So when I found out, it hurt and I knew I had to come back and work just as hard.”
Overall, Leal took her game to the next level. She improved on her scoring and became more aggressive to the basket, and she also improved defensively.
Leal’s senior year will be one to remember. During her freshman year, she was a part of a team that won a district title and earned a trip to the Sweet 16, and her final year was a mirror image of that 2015-16 team.
Looking back at her career, it was an area-round win over Laredo Alexander that stands out to Leal. It is one memory she will hold on to.
“It would have to be the Alexander game,” Leal said. “The last time we went to the Sweet 16 I was a freshman, and at that time it was that senior class that led the way, and for us to win that game meant so much to me.”
“I don’t have any regrets. I felt every game that I played I did my best and helped my team. I was able to help my team score, and not just me scoring and played selfless. What I will miss the most is just working with the different girls throughout the years and just getting to know all of them and getting closer over the years,” Leal said.