By ANDREW CRUM | THE BROWNSVILLE HERALD

Lopez played two very different halves against Edcouch-Elsa.

The Lady Lobos started slowly in the first half and fell behind, but finished strong in the second half. Unfortunately, the deficit was too much to overcome as the Lady Yellowjackets took advantage and defeated the home team 50-32 in a District 32-5A girls basketball game Tuesday at Lopez.

Lopez (1-5 in District 32-5A) struggled offensively in the opening half and Edcouch-Elsa (2-4) used an aggressive defense to gather 19 steals, several that lead to buckets and the Lady Yellowjackets build a double-digit lead that the Lady Lobos couldn’t overcome, despite a much better second half.

“We started off slow for some reason,” Lopez coach Adam Castañeda said. “They seemed to panic with their press. They were very flat in the first half. I think we weren’t ready to play in the first half.”

Edcouch-Elsa’s Samantha Chapa hit a 3 as part of a 4-0 run to start the opening quarter, but Lopez’s Breana Matamoros hit a bucket to stop the run. Kathie Barrientes hit a layup to get the Lady Lobos within 7-4, but Jackie Reyes got a layup and started a 6-0 run to end the quarter for the Lady Yellowjackets and a 13-4 edge.

Edcouch-Elsa started the second quarter with an 8-0 run fueled by a pair of buckets from Nyra Jimenez. Samantha Valdez hit a free throw for Lopez to make it 21-5. The Lady Yellowjackets went on a 7-0 run to finish the quarter highlighted by a three-point play by Jimenez. Zayra Esqueuel got a bucket shortly before halftime, but the Lady Lobos trailed 28-7 at the break.

“It was really important because we really haven’t had quick starts in the last few games,” Edcouch-Elsa coach Daniel Richardson said. “It’s kind of bit us (lately). For us to come out quick … it just set the tone early.”

Lopez started the third quarter on a 7-0 run as Valdez drilled a 3 and Brenda Savoriego had a put back and a steal and a finish to cut the deficit to 28-14. After Edcouch-Elsa’s Jayda Lee hit a 3-pointer, the teams traded baskets and the Lady Yellowjackets led 39-21 after three.

“In the second half, we woke up,” Castañeda said. “It was the tale of two halves … we need to come out and play like that all the time (as we did in the second half). They looked more alive in the second half.”

Matamoros began the final quarter with back-to-back buckets for Lopez, but Maddie Trevino answered with back-to-back baskets for Edcouch-Elsa to keep the lead at 43-25. Miriam De Leon hit a layup for the Lady Lobos to get within 43-27, but the teams traded buckets the rest of the way as the Lady Yellowjackets sealed the victory.

Trevino led the way for Edcouch-Elsa with 13 points, four rebounds and a pair of steals, Jimenez had nine points and seven rebounds and Haylee Villalpando added seven points and six steals.

For the Lady Yellowjackets, a win came at a good time during an up-and-down first half of district play.

“We really needed a win,” Richardson said. “This win is huge.”

Matamoros had eight points and nine rebounds and Nora Espinoza also scored eight points and grabbed five rebounds for Lopez.

The Lady Lobos will look for more balanced play against Pace to finish the first half of District 32-5A on Friday and in the second half that starts next week.

“We need to be consistent,” Castañeda said. “We need to come out and play more consistent.

“We need that to be there to make a push for the playoffs.”

Andrew Crum covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him at (956) 982-6629 or via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @andrewmcrum.

By ANDREW CRUM | THE BROWNSVILLE HERALD

PORT ISABEL — Port Isabel wanted to bounce back against Progreso after back-to-back losses in District 32-4A.

The Lady Tarpons did just that using a pair of runs in the first quarter to build a lead they wouldn’t relinquish in a 53-20 victory over the Lady Red Ants in a District 32-4A girls basketball game Friday.

Sabrina Garza led the way for Port Isabel (3-2 in District 32-4A) with 19 points, six rebounds, three assists and three steals in the win over Progreso (0-5). Garza had 11 points by the break, including a 3-pointer, and eight points in the third quarter to pace the offensive output.

“It was important to start the game good so everything else goes well,” Garza said. “It’s a district game and we felt like we had something to prove to keep us in the top four (in district).”

The Lady Tarpons started the opening quarter on a 5-0 run until the Lady Red Ants’ Briana Martinez hit a layup to break the streak. Then Port Isabel started a 6-0 run with the help from a pair of buckets from Gabby Murchison before Martinez hit a bucket to make it 11-4. Garza hit a 3 to push the lead to 14-4 and Murchison finished with seven points in the first quarter as the Port Isabel took a 16-4 edge.

“That was a goal coming in to set the tempo from the tip and I think we did a pretty good job,” Port Isabel coach Hannah Burleson said. “We missed a lot of easy shots early on, but we got it together … I think we did a better job defensively and usually where our offense comes is generated from.”

Ryley Galvan started the second quarter with back-to-back buckets and Garza had a steal and a layup and another bucket as part of a 10-0 run for the Lady Tarpons. Sydney Alaniz hit a free throw for Progreso to stop the run, but the Lady Red Ants couldn’t find a consistency on offense and Port Isabel took a 29-8 advantage into the break.

“We couldn’t execute,” Progreso coach Lydia De Leon said. “When it comes to a little bit of pressure, we handle it some games and other games we don’t … it’s been on-and-off. I expected a good game against PI with the same intensity (we had against La Feria), but we cracked (under the pressure).”

Garza started the third quarter where she left off in the first half, hitting a jumper to start another run for the Lady Tarpons. Sabrina Gonzalez hit a 3 as Port Isabel took a 38-8 lead after a 9-0 run. Alaniz hit a free throw and put back from Martinez helped Progreso chip away at the lead, but Garza got a three-point play as the Lady Tarpons built a 45-13 edge after three.

“Sabrina has really stepped up coming back from Christmas break,” Burleson said. “Looking at the second half of the season … she’s determined. She wants to make the playoffs and sometimes she takes the ball into her hands and makes something happen. That’s what we need to happen from an upperclassman, that leadership, as we get ready to start the second half of district after next week.

“This is a great time for her to start coming together and she’s more than capable of making that happen.”

Alaniz got a bucket and Galilea Pecina hit a pair of free throws to start the fourth quarter for the Lady Red Ants, but Port Isabel traded baskets with them the rest of the way to seal the district victory.

Alaniz finished with nine points, three rebounds and four steals and Martinez added seven points and 12 rebounds for Progreso.

It was another tough game for the Lady Red Ants who have been off-track since district play started.

“We had a good preseason,” De Leon said. “So hopefully we catch back up (in district).”

Murchison finished with nine points and six rebounds and Galvan added six points, seven rebounds and a pair of steals for the Lady Tarpons.
Port Isabel was happy to end a two-game skid after it started District 32-4A with a pair of wins.

“It’s huge … any time you get a (district) win, it’s good,” Burleson said. “A win is a great morale booster … it’s a step in the right direction for sure.”

Andrew Crum covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him at (956) 982-6629 or via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @andrewmcrum.

By ANDREW CRUM | THE BROWNSVILLE HERALD

Los Fresnos got off to a quick start on the shoulders of Ari Gallardo and never looked back against Hanna.

Gallardo helped her team earn a double-digit lead in the first quarter and totaled 30 points, including 16 after the break as the Lady Falcons ran away from the Lady Golden Eagles 63-36 in a District 32-6A girls basketball game Tuesday afternoon at Hanna.

“When she gets going, she gets going … she’s a big part of our offense,” Los Fresnos Rebecca Valdez coach said of Gallardo. “She’s been working really hard on her defense. I gave her the green light … whenever you’re open and you want to shot the ball, go for it.”

Gallardo hit four 3-pointers along the way and added four rebounds and six steals to pace the Lady Falcons (2-2 in District 32-6A). With the loss, the Lady Eagles fell to 1-3 in district play.

As Los Fresnos got off to a strong start, it was just the opposite for Hanna.

The Lady Falcons started the opening quarter on an 8-0 run as Britney Ruiz and Jovanna Adame each had four points apiece. The Lady Eagles’ Jackie De la Rosa ended the streak with a free throw, but the team continued to struggle from the field. Gallardo followed with a bucket and a 3-pointer to push the lead to 13-1 before Los Fresnos finished the first period with a 15-1 edge.

“We just didn’t come out ready to play,” Hanna coach Luis Gonzalez said. “The shots were there. The game of basketball is very simple. We went very cold shooting-percentage wise and even though it shouldn’t, that carried over to our defense … we didn’t have a very good start.”

Gallardo started the second quarter with 3 before Ariana Arceneaux hit the first Lady Eagles bucket of the game. She hit back-to-back buckets to get them within 20-5, but Gallardo continued to hit buckets and a layup in transition made it 26-8 late in the second. Mia Paz finally hit her first shot on a runner late in the second, but Los Fresnos led 28-10 at the break.

The Lady Falcons continued to add to their lead in the third quarter. Gallardo had a layup and Adame hit a 3 as part of a 9-0 run to start the second half and push it to 37-10. Later a 3 by Gallardo made it 44-14, but Paz followed up with a 3 of her own. But Gallardo was too strong and finished with 14 points in the quarter as Los Fresnos led 49-17 after three.

“I think it was a combination of (offense and defense),” Valdez coach said of the way her team started. “That House of Pain tournament (last weekend) helped us get our legs underneath us. The effort was just there … it was going to come down to effort and I feel like we started off strongly. We had a couple of good wins (in the tournament) and got some great momentum … so it was huge coming in.”

Hanna found its shot early in the fourth quarter with a layup by De la Rosa and a 3 by Karen Garza and outscored the Lady Falcons 19-14 in the final quarter. But it wasn’t enough after its slow start and Los Fresnos cruised to the district victory.

The Lady Eagles were coming off a big 75-27 non-district win over Edinburg Economedes as Paz scored 50 on the strength of 12 3-pointers. Hanna wasn’t able to duplicate that hot-shooting effort and will have to regroup quickly with another district game in two days.

Paz finished with a team-high 13 points and three rebounds. Arceneaux added 10 points and 11 rebounds for the Lady Eagles.

“Like I told the girls, we’re a lot better team than that, we didn’t play very well (Tuesday),” Gonzalez said. “We just have to play better, no ands, ifs or buts, we have to play better than our performance than that. We’re going to forget about it and show up to practice and work and be ready to play. We’ll bounce back and be ready to play on Friday.”

Adame finished with 11 points, four rebounds, four assists and four steals, Dom Clemons had four points and seven rebounds and Ruiz added four points and three steals for the Lady Falcons.

“It’s hard to win during the holidays so I think this is a big win, especially heading into our game with Harlingen High,” Valdez said. “Hopefully this will keep our momentum going.”

Andrew Crum covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him at (956) 982-6629 or via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @andrewmcrum.

By ANDREW CRUM | THE BROWNSVILLE HERALD

After St. Joseph Academy’s slow start, senior quarterback Kai Money led his team to a memorable season during his final year under center.

The senior quarterback amassed over 4,000 yards of offense — he threw for 2,539 yards and 35 touchdowns and added another 1,502 yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground leading his team to a 7-5 record and advanced to the second round of the postseason.

At times this year, Money put up some numbers that were eye-popping.

During one of his most impressive games of the season against Antonian Prep (San Antonio), Money finished with over 500 yards of offense — 219 yards and a pair of touchdowns on the ground and 282 yards and five touchdowns through the air — but more importantly the 55-30 road victory resulted in the first district title in over 37 years for the Bloodhounds.

The four-year starting quarterback is no stranger to honors and adds another as The Brownsville Herald’s 2017 All-Metro Offensive Player of the Year.

“Receiving an award is always a great accomplishment,” Money said. “It reflects on all the hard work my teammates and I have put in. I wouldn’t be able to do anything without the guys blocking up front and the receivers catching passes.”

Money earned All-Metro honors each season. After his freshman campaign (All-Metro Newcomer), sophomore year (All-Metro All-Purpose Player), junior season (All-Metro MVP) and adds yet another All-Metro honor after his final season.

The senior quarterback was also selected as the TAPPS first-team all-state athlete, was the TAPPS Division I District 2 first-team all-district quarterback and athlete and was a Built Ford Tough Player of the Week this season.

But it goes beyond the recognition for Money.

“One word describes Kai and that’s ‘winner,’” St. Joseph coach Tino Villarreal said. “Beyond his stats, Kai is all about winning. He just wants to do his part and ensure at the end of the game when we walk off that field and you look at the scoreboard … the Bloodhounds won the game. He’s been that way since he was a freshman. He’s a competitor he brings that edge. That’s a coaches dream. He gives everything, not for himself, but for the team and I think Kai Money has done that for us all four years.”

After the Bloodhounds started the season 1-3, they regrouped to finish 5-1 and earned a district title, something that had eluded Money in previous years, but something he will always cherish.

“We knew that the scoreboard and our record would take of itself eventually if we kept plugging away to get through those rough patches of adversity,” he said. (And winning district) … it was the sweetest feeling of all time.”

Money credits his father (Phillip Money) and Villarreal with teaching him the game and putting him in a position to be successful. He finished his high school career with 7,322 yards passing and 91 touchdowns and 5,913 yards and 64 touchdowns on the ground and is in the process to see where football will take him at the next level.

It will be bittersweet for Villarreal to say goodbye to his quarterback, but knows his legacy remains.

“We had a special relationship, a special bond,” Villarreal said. “Four years is a long time, some coaches are lucky to have a quarterback for two years. I watched him grow up … the football part is secondary.

“The things he accomplished this year … reignited the passion and love from the alumni and he laid the foundation for ‘The House that Kai Money built.’”

Andrew Crum covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him at (956) 982-6629 or via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @andrewmcrum.

By ANDREW CRUM | THE BROWNSVILLE HERALD

After a 3-7 season last year, Hanna wasn’t given much of a chance outside its own locker room to turn it around this season. But the Golden Eagles showed everyone what they already knew they could do.

Hanna went 7-4 this year, including 5-2 in District 32-6A and earned a postseason berth for the first time since 2009.

The Eagles improvement started with second-year head coach Mark Guess and a pair of new coordinators, JC Ramirez (defense) and Steve Marroquin (offense) as both sides of the ball thrived this season. Two players were crucial to the team’s progress; senior free safety Matthew Garcia and sophomore quarterback Victor Campos.

Garcia had 104 tackles, including 19 for a loss, five sacks, three interceptions — two of those returned for touchdowns — a punt return for a score and a fumble caused and another one recovered for the defense. On offense,

Campos was thrust under center because of early season injuries and threw for 1,158 yards and 14 touchdowns and rushed for a pair of touchdowns as well.

To honor Hanna for its quick turnaround, Garcia earns The Brownsville Herald’s 2017 All-Metro Defensive Player of the Year, Campos is the All-Metro Newcomer of the Year and Guess is honored with the All-Metro Coach of the Year award.

Garcia always seemed to be the spark on defense to get the Eagles going and a big play was never too far away. The senior safety shined all year, but he helped the unit shine the brightest in two district victories, a 10-7 defensive battle over Los Fresnos, where it shut out the Falcons after halftime and a 32-6 drubbing of Harlingen High on the road, the first win over the Cardinals since 1993.

“This award means a lot,” he said. “For this program it sets a (bar) for the younger kids. This isn’t just for me, it’s for the new Hanna.”
Guess was impressed with how fast Garcia was able to react on the field.

“Matthew picks things up really quick,” the Hanna coach said. “He almost has a sixth sense to know where the ball is going before a play starts. There’s something inside of his brain that reads things faster than most kids I’ve coached.

“He’s one of the top three football players I’ve coached … he just makes plays.”

Campos started the season as the third-string quarterback. Early season injuries to seniors Joe Cavazos III and Justin Martinez put the sophomore and first-year varsity player in the spotlight. Campos had his ups and downs during the season, but two games stood out. He had three passing touchdowns in a thrilling 38-35 win over Weslaco High and the game-winning touchdown pass in the fourth quarter in an intense 10-7 win over Los Fresnos.

“It means a lot to me,” Campos said. “I’ve been doubted a lot … that I wasn’t going to get my chance (this year). (Against Los Fresnos) I wasn’t nervous … I knew I had to step up.”

Guess knew Campos could handle the position physically; he just needed some time to learn. And as the season progressed, so did the sophomore quarterback.

“He had the height and the arm, it was just about learning the system,” Guess said. “He struggled at the beginning of the game (early in the season), but when he came back in and got rid of the butterflies, he was rock solid.”

Guess, who had the interim tag removed last spring and a full offseason to make the necessary changes, was the maestro for the Eagles’ success.

“It’s very humbling to get this award,” he said. “It’s a credit not just to my coordinators, but all my assistant coaches because they work with these kids day in and day out.”

He found success by getting his team stronger in the offseason and to believe in the program, and especially, themselves. Guess saw the potential, but there was work to do.

“Getting them to believe in what we’re doing, in our strength and conditioning program was key,” he said. “I knew the desire these kids had to win … I knew we had something special, it was whether or not we were going to put it all together on the field.

“We made them believe we were going to get in (the playoffs) and contend for a district championship … and we did.”

The Eagles earned a date with unbeaten District 31-6A champion Edinburg Vela in the postseason. Hanna held a slim lead until the Sabercats kicker hit a slightly wind-aided 54-yard field goal with just 24 seconds to play that would be the difference in the 34-32 loss. The Eagles are sure to not forget that stomach punch anytime soon.

“That loss was a tough loss, but it was also very encouraging,” Guess said of the motivation behind that loss. “These guys remember that, but I won’t let them forget it either. These kids never quit and we won’t let them quit.
“Hopefully we gained some respect for this program this year.”

Andrew Crum covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him at (956) 982-6629 or via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @andrewmcrum.

By ANDREW CRUM | THE BROWNSVILLE HERALD

After helping Brownsville Veterans Memorial capture a share of the District 32-5A football title last season, Gustavo Vasquez wanted even more.

Vasquez was even more dominant this season and took over games at times, especially against district foes. He led the Chargers to a 10-2 record, including a perfect 7-0 in District 32-5A, an outright district championship and to the area round of the postseason.

The senior quarterback finished with 1,112 yards and six touchdowns through the air and 1,617 yards and 26 touchdowns on the ground, reaching the century mark in 9 of 12 games this season.

For his outstanding season, Vasquez was named the top player in District 32-5A and has now been named The Brownsville Herald’s 2017 All-Metro Most Valuable Player.

“It feels great to set the bar high (for the underclassmen),” he said. “It’s a goal for them to accomplish.”

Against two of the top teams in District 32-5A, the senior quarterback made his mark. Against Mercedes, he rushed for 261 yards and three touchdowns, the latter being the game-winner in a 24-17 victory. Against Lopez, Vasquez piled up 232 yards and four touchdowns on the ground to help build an early lead that Brownsville Veterans wouldn’t relinquish in a 35-21 win.

“When the game is on the line … when there’s adversity and times are tough … he steps up with some of his amazing moments,” Brownsville Veterans coach David Cantu said of Vasquez during some big moments for the Chargers this season. “So many incredible memories. As a competitor, in the moment he was not fearful or overwhelmed by it, he does the best he can do at that time and he’s at peace with it.”

For Vasquez, his biggest games came when his team needed him most. When fellow senior and running back Abel Martinez sustained an injury that sidelined him midway through the season, it was Vasquez that put the offense on his back and kept Brownsville Veterans in sight of its goals.

“I’ve been doing this for 22 years and he’s among the best that I’ve coached,” Cantu said. “He was easy to coach because of his selflessness.”

It was more than just Vasquez, but he was certainly the catalyst for it.

“The seniors knew it was going to be our last ride together,” he said. “Everybody wanted to finish strong … give it our all, so that’s what we did.”

Vasquez said topping Mercedes and the team’s comeback win against Laredo Nixon in bi-district were some of the highlights during his final season, but he’s not ready to say he’s played his final down. He is weighing his options trying to find the right fit to play at the next level.

The senior quarterback leaves behind a legacy, athletically and of humility. The Chargers coach said it’s because of the way he was raised by his mother, Claudia Trevino. It showed by the way he treated everyone, but especially his coaches and teammates.

“It’s very difficult to put into words what it’s been for me to be Gustavo’s coach,” Cantu said. “He’s a person of high character, a person with incredible sportsmanship … I’ll always remember him for that.”

Although Cantu will miss Vasquez for his talent and leadership, he prefers to look forward.

“We appreciate what we had, but we move on,” Cantu said. “We remember him for what he was … an amazing high school football player that did things the right way and treated people right.

“Nobody has the pressure to replace him. If everyone does their job, we’ll be fine.”

Andrew Crum covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him at (956) 982-6629 or via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @andrewmcrum.

The Brownsville Herald’s 2017 All-Metro Football Team

Most Valuable Player

Gustavo Vasquez, Brownsville Veterans Memorial

Offensive Player of the Year

Kai Money, St. Joseph Academy

Defensive Player of the Year

Matthew Garcia, Hanna

All-Purpose Player of the Year

Jose Echavarria, Lopez

Newcomer of the Year

Victor Campos, Hanna

Coach of the Year

Mark Guess, Hanna

First Team

Quarterback: Charles Chapa, Los Fresnos

Running back: Cesar Mancias, Hanna; Brandon Zapata, Pace

Wide receiver: Gabriel Zapata, Pace; Nico Valencia, Los Fresnos

Tight end: Rafael Recio, Pace

Offensive tackle: Sebastian Sosa, Brownsville Veterans Memorial; Jeremiah Gonzalez, Los Fresnos

Offensive guard: Gabriel Caram, St. Joseph Academy; Eddie Rodriguez, Lopez

Center: Mario Chavez, Los Fresnos

Kicker: Joey Zarate, Brownsville Veterans Memorial

Defensive End: Tommy Martinez, Brownsville Veterans Memorial; Sebastian Diaz, Hanna

Defensive Tackle: Pedro Garcia, Lopez; Luis Rivas, Los Fresnos

Linebacker: Leo De La Torre, Lopez; Jose Cruz, Hanna; Sebastian Gonzales, Los Fresnos

Secondary: Jeremy Martinez, Port Isabel; Sammy Chapa, Brownsville Veterans Memorial; Isaiah Muniz, Los Fresnos; Carlos Esteve, St. Joseph Academy

Punter: JJ Sanchez, Los Fresnos

Second team

Quarterback: Randy Aguilar, Pace

Running back: Anthony Cantu, St. Joseph Academy; Albert Banuelos, Los Fresnos

Wide receiver: Pablo Zolezzi, St. Joseph Academy; Joe Cavazos III, Hanna

Tight end: Donovan Trevino, Rivera

Offensive tackle: Travis Rivera, Hanna; Kevin Garza, St. Joseph Academy

Offensive guard: Sebastian San Miguel, Hanna; Brandon Salazar, Brownsville Veterans Memorial

Center: Aaron Barrera, Brownsville Veterans Memorial

Kicker: Adrian Torres, Los Fresnos

Defensive End: Matthew Ortiz, Los Fresnos; Juan Rodriguez, Lopez

Defensive Tackle: Alexis Galvan, Lopez; Luis Ortiz, Hanna

Linebacker: Christian Pena, Los Fresnos; Carlos Arellano, Lopez; Jose Sanchez, Brownsville Veterans Memorial

Secondary: Marco Solis, Lopez; Miguel Payan, Hanna; Tony Medrano, Brownsville Veterans Memorial; Hector Salazar, Pace

Punter: Jesus Saldivar, Port Isabel

By ANDREW CRUM | THE BROWNSVILLE HERALD

After a breakout year last season, Jose Echavarria was expected to do even more for Lopez this season.

He certainly didn’t disappoint. Moving from a primary receiver to running back he reached the 1,000-yard plateau and scored eight touchdowns and also had 14 catches for 109 yards while leading the Lobos to an 8-3 record and a postseason berth for the second consecutive season for just the third time in school history and first since 2005-06.

But Echavarria did even more for Lopez as the team’s punter, as a return specialist and played defense at times. The senior stood out in a few games in particular, in a 54-10 rout of Donna North in a District 32-5A game, Echavarria scored a pair of first quarter touchdowns to spark the offense and finished with 168 yards on the ground. Playing defense against Edcouch-Elsa in a crucial district game, he returned a fumble 89 yards for a touchdown that changed the momentum of the game and the 23-14 win sealed another postseason berth for the Lobos.

His diversity was rewarded with all-district honors in District 32-5A for punter (first-team) and return specialist (second-team) and was the co-offensive player of the year.

The senior has earned another accolade; Echavarria has been named The Brownsville Herald’s 2017 All-Metro All-Purpose Player of the Year.

“It means a lot to me because it makes me see that I actually helped my team to win games,” he said.

Even though the senior went on to have a great season, Echavarria was hesitant about moving to the backfield.

“I didn’t really want to play running back,” he said.

His receivers coach thought that it would be a good fit and one day during early practices there were no running backs present. Echavarria was moved into position and the coaches were happy with his progress.

“We knew we wanted to get the ball in his hands more,” Lopez coach Jason Starkey said. “We weren’t comfortable only doing that from the receiver position … it led to us putting him in the backfield as a trial and error. It evolved into the offense because of what he could do.

“The goal was to get him the ball a little more with the opportunity to be effective.”

As Echavarria thrived, so did the team, starting the season 6-0, including 3-0 in district. After tough losses to Brownsville Veterans Memorial and Mercedes, the Lobos bounced back with wins over Edcouch-Elsa and Pace. Despite a first-round loss to Mission Veterans Memorial, Lopez is heading in the right direction as a program.

“It’s a tribute to a senior class that bought into what we’re preaching for the last four years and as a result won eight games … the second best season in school history,” Starkey said. “We’re continuing to head into the direction where we want to go. It’s an honor to have a superlative for this program. I think it’s representative of the hard work and dedication of our coaching staff and our student-athletes.”

While Echavarria made a big impact offensively, his effect on special teams and occasionally defensively sometimes made the greatest difference in games.

“In my opinion, great players make big plays in big games,” Starkey said. “He always came up with big plays when it mattered most. He did a lot for us in all facets and I’m grateful that he’s getting recognized for his hard work.”

Andrew Crum covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him at (956) 982-6629 or via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @andrewmcrum.

By ANDREW CRUM | THE BROWNSVILLE HERALD

Rivera started slow and couldn’t match the offensive output by San Benito.

As the Lady Raiders struggled offensively, the Lady Greyhounds took advantage and used a quick start to fuel a 75-25 victory in a District 32-6A girls basketball game Tuesday at Rivera.

As Rivera (0-3 in District 32-6A) struggled from the field and turned the ball over, San Benito (3-0) had one of its best shooting nights of the season as it connected on 11 3-pointers as Miranda Vallejo led the way with 36 points, including three 3-pointers, three rebounds and five steals.

“We had too many turnovers,” Rivera coach Willie Brown said. “We had opportunities to make shots and we didn’t make them, but they made theirs. They have a good senior ball club and it showed.”

Jacqueline Montes led the Lady Raiders with 10 points, but didn’t get going until after halftime and it wasn’t enough to keep up with the Lady Greyhounds’ hot shooting.

After Rivera’s Mayra Martinez tied the game at 2 with a bucket, San Benito’s Holly Lopez hit a 3 and later Vallejo sank a 3-pointer during a 9-0 run as it took an 11-2 lead. Desiree Perez hit a layup to stop the run for the Lady Raiders, but the Lady Greyhounds weren’t finished as Lopez hit two more 3-pointers and they finished the opening quarter on a 9-0 run to build a 25-8 lead.

“We needed to come out fast, we have a hard district,” San Benito coach Abel Moreno Jr. said. “We have to get used to getting out fast and that was the game plan. We came out and shot well … probably the best of the season.”

It didn’t get better for Rivera in the second quarter. Emilee Barraza started with a 3 and San Benito went on a 17-0 run to begin the second. Vallejo scored nine points during the run as the Lady Greyhounds kept hitting from all over the floor. Valeria Garcia hit a jumper for the Lady Raiders, but that would be all they got and trailed 42-10 at the break.

Rivera shot well in the third quarter as Montes started with a pair of free throws and hit four shots, including back-to-back buckets at one point and scored all of her 10 points in the third. But Barraza answered with 10 points in the quarter, including three 3-pointers and San Benito led 61-22 after three.

Perez hit a 3 in the beginning of the fourth quarter for the Lady Raiders, but Vallejo answered with back-to-back triples and helped the Lady Greyhounds to continue to pull away in the final quarter during the district victory.

Perez finished with five points, including a 3 and Garcia added four points for Rivera.

Barraza finished with 16 points, including five 3-pointers and Arlene Lucero added seven points and 11 rebounds for San Benito.

The Lady Greyhounds are unbeaten in District 32-6A thus far and head into the break with plenty of confidence.

“We’ve been building momentum and this is a senior-led ball club and we feel this is our year,” Moreno Jr. said. “The girls are focused … they want to be a district contender and this is the type of game that’s it’s going to take.”

For the Lady Raiders, they hope to regroup during the holiday break and play better. With a lot of inexperience on their squad, it’s going to take a group effort.

“We just have to mature, that’s all it is,” Brown said. “We don’t always go where we’re supposed to or do what we’re supposed to do … but when we do, we get layups. You can’t coach (maturity) … until they do; it’s not going to change. When we don’t turn the ball over, we’re better. (Tuesday) we went back to our old ways.”

Andrew Crum covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him at (956) 982-6629 or via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @andrewmcrum.

By ANDREW CRUM | THE BROWNSVILLE HERALD

Sofia Espinoza and Pace got on a roll early thanks to an aggressive defensive effort against Porter.

Espinoza led the way with 28 points and the Lady Vikings piled up 29 steals in a 63-27 victory over the Cowgirls in a District 32-5A girls basketball game Friday at Pace.

“I was confident in my game,” Espinoza said. “Coach always tells us to be fast on our feet … our defense is always the main reason for when we score. We get steals and attack (the basket).”

Espinoza scored 20 of her 28 before the break and added five rebounds and three steals as Pace earned its first district win of the season (1-1 in District 32-5A). Porter (0-2) couldn’t match the offensive outburst, fell behind early and couldn’t make up the deficit.

“Sofia’s the top of that defensive press. Once we get that steal, it gets out to her and she can finish,” Pace coach Eddie Lozano said. “She has length and speed for her size, so when she can finish, that’s good for us.”

Pace came out aggressive on the defensive end, pressuring the ball and pressing every time Porter got the ball in the first quarter. The Lady Vikings used that approach to flourish on the offensive end. Jade Rodriguez started the game with a 3-pointer and Espinoza got three quick buckets as part of a 17-0 run to start the game. Mary Ann Lara ended the scoreless streak with a jumper for the Cowgirls, but they had trouble finding their rhythm offensively. Amanda Gomez hit a 3 to push the Pace lead to 20-2 and Espinoza finished with half of the team’s points in the opening quarter.

“I don’t want to make excuses … we just have a lot to learn,” Porter coach Crystal Schmalzried said.

Porter’s Katherine Salas got a bucket to start the second quarter, but Rodriguez had a put back and followed with a layup to extend the lead to 26-8. Salas hit a free throw, but Lexy Arce had back-to-back steals and assists to Espinoza as the Lady Vikings raced out to a 30-9 advantage. Espinoza added another bucket for six straight points and 10 in the quarter as Pace held a 36-11 edge at halftime.

“It started with the defense … making them turn the ball over led to fast break points,” Lozano said. “We got a lot of points off fast breaks instead of a set offense … we need that to be successful. We’ve played two tough opponents (in district) and our defense has kept us in the game.

“We got that first district win … that’s important. It all started with defense and it’s starting to come together, little by little we’re starting to get it.”

Porter found some success in the third quarter as Lara started with a jumper. After a Pace bucket, the Cowgirls went on a 5-0 run after Lara hit a free throw, Paloma Garcia hit a jumper and Salas followed with a layup to get within 38-18, but Rosa Salinas answered for the Lady Vikings with a jumper to push it back to 40-18.

In the fourth quarter, Espinoza had back-to-back buckets to extend the lead to 47-22. After Lara hit a free throw for Porter, the Lady Vikings went on a 10-0 run to put the game out of reach.

Salas led the Cowgirls with nine points and 12 rebounds; Lara and Adamari Arteaga added six points apiece. Arteaga also pulled down seven rebounds for Porter.

“We haven’t played smart basketball,” Schmalzried said. “The hustle is there, the heart is there … we just have to play smarter.”

Rodriguez and Salinas combined for 20 points, 18 rebounds and 12 steals on the night for Pace.

The Lady Vikings turned up the defensive pressure and got their first district win. They hope to maintain that momentum with a tough district game before the break.

“It takes a little pressure off, but we still have to work hard,” Lozano said. “We have Mercedes on Tuesday and that’s a big game. Hopefully we can come out with the same defensive intensity and play that way.”

Andrew Crum covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him at (956) 982-6629 or via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @andrewmcrum.

By ANDREW CRUM | THE BROWNSVILLE HERALD

Lopez hoped to start District 32-5A against Porter better than it has in recent years.

With the game tied at 38 with less than a minute to go, Nora Espinoza hit a 3-pointer from the left side to give the Lady Lobos the lead and then hit a couple free throws that sealed a 44-38 victory over the Cowgirls in the District 32-5A girls basketball opener Tuesday at Porter.

“We picked it up offensively and defensively,” Espinoza said of her team in that final quarter. “(Hitting that 3) felt like fire, a splash to start us off in the future … it feels great, like it’s a new beginning.”

Espinoza finished with a game-high 12 points, including a pair of 3s and seven rebounds for Lopez (1-0 in District 32-5A), who ended a long district-losing streak after it earned its first district victory since 2013. Porter (0-1) trailed at the break, took the lead in the third quarter, but couldn’t hang on in the final quarter.

“She’s our set shooter and we needed her and she hit that shot,” Lopez coach Adam Castañeda said. “As a senior, she did her job.”

Espinoza capped off a wild comeback in the fourth quarter. The Lady Lobos were outscored 19-10 in the third quarter and trailed by six points. After back-to-back jumpers from Amanda Parra, Espinoza got a bucket to tie the game at 35. Samantha Valdez hit a free throw and Kathie Barrientes hit a layup for a 9-0 run and a 38-35 lead.

“We had a bunch of girls step up,” Castañeda said about his team in the fourth quarter. “We have that mentality … the girls when they come in know their role and to produce when called upon. Our starters got in some foul trouble. The girls did a heck of a job filling in and converting on the offensive side and playing good defense to allow us to come back.”

The Cowgirls’ Paloma Garcia ended the run with a 3-pointer to tie it at 38. With under a minute to play, Espinoza caught a pass on the left wing and let it fly and her 3-pointer retook the lead 41-38. Moments later, Espinoza was fouled and sank two free throws to push the lead to 43-38. Valdez added a free throw down the stretch and Lopez held on for the district victory that had eluded it for a few years.

“We got in foul trouble,” Porter coach Crystal Schmalzried said. “(The team) had to play a little more timid because of foul trouble.”

It was a back-and-forth game in the first half, but the Lady Lobos held a slim three-point lead at the break. Porter began the third quarter on an 8-0 run. Adamari Arteaga started it with a pair of layups, Garcia followed with a jumper and then Mary Ann Lara got a steal and a bucket as the Cowgirls took a 24-19 advantage.

Zayra Esquivel ended the Lopez scoreless streak with a put back and Brenda Savariego added back-to-back buckets to get the Lady Lobos within 28-25. Garcia hit a 3 to push the Porter lead to 31-25 and the teams traded baskets as Arteaga had eight points and Garcia had five to give the Cowgirls a 35-29 edge after three.

It was an especially tough loss for Porter after playing so well offensively in the third, but it couldn’t keep up the momentum in the fourth, particularly down the stretch as it watched its lead slip away.

“We’ll watch film and learn from it,” Schmalzried said.

Garcia led Porter with 11 points, including three 3-pointers and four rebounds. Arteaga added 10 points and nine rebounds for the Cowgirls.

Savariego finished with eight points and seven rebounds for Lopez.

The Lady Lobos were happy to celebrate a victory that was a long-time coming.

“It’s great … this is the first district win in a few years,” Castañeda said. “We broke the curse and hopefully we’ll prove some people wrong, but it feels good to pick up the win.”

Andrew Crum covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him at (956) 982-6629 or via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @andrewmcrum.