| Harlingen High’s Rosa Zapata poses for a photo at Harlingen High School. (Andrew Cordero/Special to The Monitor) |
Offensive Player of the Year: Rosa Zapata, Harlingen High
There were shoes to fill offensively for Harlingen High during the 2022-23 season.
Cardinals point guard Rosa Zapata stepped up to help her team win a District 32-6A title and pick up a Class bi-district playoff victory.
Zapata is the Valley Morning Star’s 2022-23 All-Star Girls Basketball Offensive Player of the Year.
Zapata averaged 12 points a game throughout the entire season, but picked up the production in district play and was awarded co-MVP of the district for her efforts. Zapata also averaged four assists a game as well as steals, often turning those steals into points.
“I am improved so much than last year,” Zapata said. “I scored more points than usual, and I think I did a pretty good job at leading my team offensively with points.”
Zapata was more of a pass-first point guard her previous seasons, with other key players doing most of the scoring. Zapata’s game blossomed in her new role. Zapata exploded past defenders in the lane for easy assists or shot opportunities for herself.
“I am going to come back and visit,” Zapata said. “I am going to miss it. I am appreciative of all the opportunities they gave me.”
| La Feria’s Kaya Dickerson (24) is pictured Wednesday, May 24, 2023, at San Benito.(Denise Cathey/The Brownsville Herald) Denise Cathey |
Defensive Player of the Year: Kaya Dickerson, La Feria
La Feria’s basketball program picked up another bi-district win this season and earned a District 32-4A title. Leading the way defensively for the Lions this season was Kaya Dickerson.
Dickerson is the Valley Morning Star’s 2022-23 All-Star Girls Basketball Defensive Player of the Year.
“I just wanted to use my skills to take my young team as far as they can go,” Dickerson said. “I know we did not go that far, but we still had fun and did our thing.”
Dickerson picked up multiple steals a game to help La Feria score points offensively. Dickerson was one of the most athletic basketball players in District 32-4A, and was a key contributor on the volleyball and track and field teams during her time at La Feria.
“I feel like I was in control on defense,” Dickerson said. “We would get the steal from what I was doing, locking someone down, and then we would flow from there. We would go into our offense, score, go back to defense and do the same thing.”
| San Benito’s Angelina Reyes (2) is pictured Wednesday, May 24, 2023, at San Benito.(Denise Cathey/The Brownsville Herald) Denise Cathey |
Utility Player of the Year: Angie Reyes, San Benito
San Benito’s Angie Reyes played a big part of the Greyhounds’ return to the playoffs this season.
As a sophomore this season, Reyes did it all by averaging 17 points, five boards, three steals and two assists a game. Reyes solidified herself as one of the best all-around basketball players in the Valley.
Reyes is the Valley Morning Star’s 2022-23 All-Star Girls Basketball Utility Player of the Year.
“From my freshman to my sophomore year I definitely grew,” Reyes said. “Overall, I think I did pretty good. I always think I could have done better, and there is always room to grow.”
Reyes helped San Benito pick up a title during the tournament season, a 24-win season and a bi-district win over La Joya High in which she scored 29 points and picked up nine rebounds.
“I love everything about the game,” Reyes said.
Reyes said she is ready for next season with a team full of seniors.
“It is a win-or-go-home-type season for every one,” Reyes said. “We are going for the district title next season, and I know we can do it.”
| Harlingen South’s Jiselle Montemayor (20) is pictured Wednesday, May 24, 2023, at San Benito.(Denise Cathey/The Brownsville Herald) Denise Cathey |
Newcomer of the Year: Jiselle Montemayor, Harlingen South
Harlingen South’s Jiselle Montemayor burst onto the scene this season to help the Hawks make it out of the tough District 32-5A as a freshman.
Montemayor averaged 12 points, six rebounds, four steals and three assists this season and was awarded with the District 32-5A Offensive Player of the Year award.
Montemayor is the Valley Morning Star’s 2022-23 All-Star Girls Basketball Newcomer of the Year.
“It was more of a mental game, trying to push through four, eight-minute quarters,” Montemayor said about her first year playing varsity basketball. The freshman was happy about her performances this year and being a leading scorer as a freshman.
Montemayor is going to have plenty of expectations on a Hawks team that could challenge Brownsville Veterans Memorial for a district title.
“For sure, I am trying to improve a lot of things,” Montemayor said. “So far, during the offseason grind, I have improved a lot.”
| Rio Hondo head girls basketball coach Victor Sauceda. Photo courtesy of Victor Sauceda |
Coach of the Year: Victor Sauceda, Rio Hondo
Rio Hondo head coach Victor Sauceda is humble about his team’s success with him as head coach.
Sauceda’s Bobcats had a fantastic season by making it to the fourth round of the Class 3A playoffs and picking up an undefeated District 32-3A title.
Sauceda also helped develop top talent in the area. Eliza Rodriguez, the All-Star MVP, was one of the best players in the Valley this past season. Sauceda has plenty of talent ready for another run. The Bobcats had two other scorers, both underclassmen, score in double figures.
Rio Hondo went 27-4 on the season and 16-0 in District 32-3A.
All-Star First Team
Daniella Ramos, San Perlita; Marley Perez, Lyford; Ava Garza, San Benito; Layla Salas, Harlingen High; Juli Bryant, Harlingen High
All-Star Second Team
Alyssa Garza, Santa Rosa; Aleila Cantu, Santa Maria; Abby Atkinson, Rio Hondo; Emily Molina, Rio Hondo; Mariah Patlan, La Feria