Offensive Player of the Year: Nathan Chavez, San Perlita
San Perlita guard Nathan Chavez only averaged a point per game as a junior behind plenty of key players.
Chavez exploded his senior season, averaging 27 points during the season and 32 points during District 32-1A play. Chavez is the Valley Morning Star’s Offensive Player of the Year.
“I knew my time would come eventually,” Chavez said. “I knew players were going to graduate and I knew that I had to step up and take that role.”
Chavez’s rise was not easy, nor expected, like San Perlita’s season. The Trojans should have had a huge drop off with the talent that left. Chavez and San Perlita held their own against Tilden McMullen this season, finishing second in the district and picking up a bi-district playoff victory.
“I just had to do what I had to do to help my team,” Chavez said.
| San Perlita’s Nathan Chavez (10) is pictured Wednesday, May 24, 2023, at San Benito.(Denise Cathey/The Brownsville Herald) Denise Cathey |
Defensive Player of the Year: Adrian Zamora, Santa Rosa
Santa Rosa went 16-0 in District 32-3A, only giving up 46 points a game in district play as they captured an undefeated title and bi-district playoff victory under Rene Duque.
Santa Rosa’s 6’3 center Adrian Zamora anchored the Warriors’ defense. Zamora is the Valley Morning Star’s Defensive Player of the Year.
Zamora averaged around four blocks a game, but forced many more missed shots and was a constant presence on the defensive boards.
“To me, I think a block is better than making a shot,” Zamora said. “It gets the team energized and it leads to points on the other side of the court.”
Zamora found himself in foul trouble against San Diego in the area round. The Warriors lost 94-83.
“It was a good season,” Zamora said. “We had ups and downs, but it was a fun season. We did not do as good as we wanted, but it was fun overall.”
| Santa Rosa’s Adrian Zamora (21) is pictured Wednesday, May 24, 2023, at San Benito.(Denise Cathey/The Brownsville Herald) Denise Cathey |
Utility Player of the Year: Chris Thrailkill, San Benito
San Benito needed a stud in the run up to capture its first outright district title in more than 60 years. Senior post Chris Thrailkill was the guy.
Thrailkill could do anything on the court and did everything he could to help the Greyhounds to a remarkable season. Thrailkill is the Valley Morning Star’s Utility Player of the Year.
The big man averaged a double-double for the Greyhounds. Thrailkill scored 14 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and had at least two blocks a night during the 2022-23 season.
“I just did what I could to help our team win,” Thrailkill said. “I knew what I wanted to do and we got it done.”
Thrailkill on both sides of the court dominated in the paint. The big man maneuvered well through lanes despite usually being the biggest player on the court.
“I just needed to at least put up 15 points a game, and get a double-double,” Thrailkill said. “I had to find the open man when I got doubled, basically do it all.”
Thrailkill was happy he said about being able to make his community proud during the team’s run this season.
| San Benito’s Chris Thrailkill (23) is pictured Wednesday, May 24, 2023, at San Benito.(Denise Cathey/The Brownsville Herald) Denise Cathey |
Newcomer of the Year: Peter Jackson, San Benito
San Benito basketball is going to be in good shape the next two seasons with explosive guard Peter Jackson pushing point.
Jackson balled out in his first year playing varsity basketball in the Rio Grande Valley after hooping in Florida. The game is different in the Valley, Jackson said.
Jackson took no time acclimating and was a sensation for the Greyhounds in their District 32-6A title win. Jackson in the Valley Morning Star’s Newcomer of the Year.
“It is a different game,” Jackson said. “They have some super athletes over there. They just play full-court man the whole game.”
Jackson averaged eight points, four assists, four rebounds and three steals a game as a sophomore during the 2022-23 season. Jackson is easily one of the most athletically gifted underclassmen this season, but knows he still needs to work on some things going into next season.
| San Benito’s Peter Jackson (10) is pictured Wednesday, May 24, 2023, at San Benito.(Denise Cathey/The Brownsville Herald) Denise Cathey |
Coach of the Year: Luis Garza, San Benito
San Benito’s team was full of football players, Luis Garza said throughout the season. It took those football players a little bit to become used to the hardwood, but when they did – they tore it up like they did during football.
Greyhounds head coach Luis Garza is the Valley Morning Star’s Coach of the Year.
Garza’s Greyhounds took a lot of losses early in the season. San Benito came into District 32-6A with only a handful of wins and a lot of doubt, but the Greyhounds went on to capture their first outright district title since 1961.
Garza and his Greyhounds also won a bi-district playoff game over Edinburg Economedes, the first in two decades. San Benito ended the season with a record of 14-11, including going 9-1 in District 32-6A.
| Sna Benito’s Coach Luis Garza is pictured Wednesday, May 24, 2023, at San Benito.(Denise Cathey/The Brownsville Herald) Denise Cathey |
First Team All-Star
Ryan Sanchez, Harlingen High; Jayden Rendon, Harlingen High; Chris Ibarra, Santa Maria; Noah Rosales, La Feria; Ken Jones, Harlingen Marine Military Academy
Second Team All-Star
DeAnthony Mireles, San Benito; Felipe Alaniz, Santa Rosa; Adrian Guajardo, Raymondville; Julian Johnson, San Perlita; Jaiden Basaldua, Rio Hondo