By CLAIRE CRUZ, Staff Writer

Harlingen South coach Israel Gonzalez III told his senior quarterback, Xander Casarez, early in the season that he’d earn most valuable player awards by the end of it.

Gonzalez was right. Casarez was the ultimate catalyst for the Hawks, sparking a historic 10-0 regular season that resulted in a District 32-6A championship and many momentous victories. He threw for 1,540 yards and 17 touchdowns with only one interception. He added three scores and 116 yards rushing, and one receiving touchdown.

Casarez was named the co-MVP of the district. He’s adding the Valley Morning Star’s 2021 All-Star Football Most Valuable Player award to his phenomenal season.

“It’s really great. I give all the glory to God, first and foremost,” Casarez said. “I want to thank all my teammates and coaches and family that helped me along the way to get here. It’s great to show that hard work really does pay off. It’s never going to be easy, but it will be worth it. It was a really great season and felt really good in the heart.”

Gonzalez’s belief in Casarez set in from the moment they met, when the latter presented the first-year coach with a Hawks jersey at his introductory pep rally. Gonzalez called it a moment he’ll never forget.

“When he gave me that jersey, I asked if he was ready to go to work, and that look in his eyes told me he was,” Gonzalez said. “He was a kid that showed up from Day 1 and was willing to learn, willing to do what we asked of him. We saw all the traits we needed to see in Xander. We saw the leadership, the commitment, the work ethic, and there was no doubt in my mind he was our team MVP.”

Taking the sole QB1 role this season was a task Casarez was eager to have. He stepped up not only his play, but his leadership, too, and he humbly credited his coaches and teammates for making it easy to take on his responsibilities.

Casarez said the new coaching staff started off simple when introducing the offense, and as they learned it quickly, the Hawks opened things up and averaged more than 34 points per game. He took advantage of the athletes around him, delivering touchdown passes to five different receivers and notching a 68 percent completion rate.

“It was team-first. I didn’t believe I did anything for the team, we all did it together. We had many weapons, and it wasn’t just a one-scheme offense,” Casarez said. “(I focused) more on my mindset, really learning the game and knowing what’s going on in situations. (I showcased) my athleticism, that I can really roll out and throw on the run under pressure, and I’m able to read the field really well.

“It was my job to lead the guys and to show them that we can do this. If we stick together, teamwork is going to get us through and where we need to go.”

Casarez and Co. did go where no Hawks team had in a while. They captured their first Bird Bowl victory over rival Harlingen High since 2007. Following that milestone with a hard-fought win at San Benito, then capturing the district title at Los Fresnos are a few of Casarez’s favorite moments from the stellar season.

The senior hopes his final season will show future Hawks what they can achieve with hard work and faith.

“We were confident. (The coaches) really implemented confidence in us, and we all grew better mindsets and became better men,” Casarez said. “Having that faith from the coaches and all the players, knowing they believed I can get the job done, made a difference.”

Offensive Player of the Year

Aaron Trevino

Senior, La Feria

Trevino waited three years for his chance to be the starting quarterback for the La Feria Lions.

He earned the role during his senior season and shined. Trevino lit up the scoreboard, passing for 1,671 yards and 22 touchdowns. He surpassed 1,000 yards rushing and contributed another 16 touchdowns on the ground. For his sensational playmaking abilities, Trevino is the All-Star offensive player of the year.

“It definitely means a lot,” Trevino said. “After all the years I put in, it feels good to come out with this award and to know for myself that it all paid off and it didn’t go unnoticed. I’m just grateful.

“Coming from a family of seven with four brothers, we’re definitely competitive,” he added. “All my brothers really helped push me. My father and mother always supported me in everything I did. And (all my Lions coaches) really helped develop me as a player and a quarterback, and I’m so grateful for all of them.”

Trevino worked hard to fully learn the offense ahead of the season. As a four-year letterman, Trevino spent time working with the quarterbacks in previous years, so he used the lessons he learned while in wait to elevate his game.

“It was kind of a surprise how much really goes into the offense and how much there is to learn. I think I handled it pretty well,” Trevino said. “It was a little challenging just to know everything, pick it all up, but I think with my years of experience on the varsity level and seeing how it works since my freshman year got me used to it.”

Trevino reflected on La Feria’s regular-season finale against Hidalgo, a 34-28 victory for the District 16-4A Division I championship, as one of his favorite moments from the season. Pinned inside the Lions’ own 10-yard line, needing a score with two minutes on the clock, Trevino broke free for a nearly 90-yard rushing touchdown to seal the deal. He was named the district’s MVP.

“I remember seeing all my teammates happy and running to me, the crowd was going crazy. I love that memory,” Trevino said.

Trevino hopes his journey to success and the way he carried himself will inspire Lions for years to come.

“I started from the bottom of the offense, being a utility player and, like, the 12th man, all the way to being the captain and leading the offense. It was an amazing feeling,” Trevino said. “One of the main things I hoped to leave behind was I always played with composure. I was never out there talking trash. I always let my game do the talking. I hope they saw the way I played and they carry that on with them.”

Defensive Player of the Year

Nathan Huerta

Senior Harlingen High

For three years now, Huerta, a defensive lineman, has been a highly respected football player.

He went from being the District 32-6A newcomer of the year to the defensive player of the year to being the co-MVP this year. As an often double-teamed senior, Huerta recorded 84 tackles, 15 sacks and pressured quarterbacks at a high rate.

His consistency, relentless effort and ability to impact a game led to Huerta adding the All-Star defensive player of the year award to his impressive resume in 2021.

“It’s all God’s blessing. He blessed me with the talent and the work ethic that I have, that my team had,” Huerta said. “These successful seasons don’t come easy. They come with all the hard work and passion we put into the game.”

As Huerta continued to develop his game, opposing teams frequently game-planned around him. He pushed himself every offseason to come back faster, stronger and more knowledgeable in order to counter what would be thrown at him. He appreciated the respect it showed when teams focused so much energy on stopping him.

“It’s always double teams every game,” Huerta said. “That’s where you have to be an athlete, be a great player, be elite to be able to break off those and still make plays. Being able to watch myself on film, being able to critique myself, go to camps and see the technique that others do so I can better myself (helped me overcome that). It doesn’t come without hard work.

“(Still being successful showed) that I’m not going to be stopped,” he continued. “Every single time it’s 110 percent go, and I give it all I got. Even if I don’t have the best game, hopefully the guys around me did and we come out with a win.”

Along with being a dynamic playmaker, Huerta strived to “be a good leader, have good character and lead the defense and the team to be successful.” He wants to use his athletic ability and work ethic to make his family and community proud while playing in the college ranks.

Huerta thanked his support system for pushing him to be his best, and he hopes his efforts showed others that the sky is the limit.

“I thank my parents,” Huerta said. “They’ve pushed me every step of the way, took me to all these camps so I could better myself. And, of course, all the coaches on my journey that have helped me find myself and what I’m capable of being.

“Being able to have that great work ethic will get you places. Outworking people will get you to the top, and when you get to the top, don’t become complacent. Always keep working.”

Newcomer of the Year

Fabian Garcia

Sophomore, San Benito

There’s no denying the immediate impact Garcia, a running back, had for San Benito.

During his varsity debut season, Garcia quickly proved he could be the focal point of the Greyhounds’ offense. He accumulated 1,204 rushing yards on 170 carries, scored 11 touchdowns and turned in six performances with more than 100 yards rushing. He showed his potential from Week 1 and earned the All-Star newcomer of the year award.

“It feels great. I just worked hard every day,” Garcia said. “The beginning of the season was kind of rough for me. It was really nerve-wrecking. I had to shake off all the nerves and get better every day. I want to thank the coaches, my mom, my brother for believing in me. What helped a lot was my brother. He gave me a lot of advice.”

Garcia definitely shook off the nerves and excelled this season. He was named the District 32-6A co-offensive MVP and took on a workhorse role for San Benito. As he got more comfortable with the offense and learned how to battle the tough defenses in the district, Garcia grew more confident and became a consistently dynamic runner.

“I felt like I improved everywhere, from knowing the plays to running the ball, blocking, everything. It was really good,” Garcia said. “I couldn’t do it without my O-line, of course. I want to thank them because they had the trust in me to run the ball. … I had to start adjusting to (my opponents’) speed because they were pretty fast and learn to read their defense. My speed really helped.”

Throughout the season, Garcia also grew to truly understand how much football means in San Benito. He’s ready now to build on his breakout season and become a better leader and player for the Greyhounds.

“The last game, our playoff game, when I saw everyone tearing up, I was, like, it’s family. That’s when I really realized what it’s all about,” Garcia said. “I came from a decent season, now it’s time to get better from here. It gives me confidence, but I can’t let it get in my head. If you let it get in your head, it gets you off your groove. I just have to keep playing football.”

Coach of the Year

Israel Gonzalez III, Harlingen South

There was no program turnaround in the Rio Grande Valley quite as impressive as what Gonzalez did during his first year at the helm for the Hawks.

Gonzalez and his staff took South from turning in suboptimal seasons to going 10-1 in 2021, capturing a perfect regular season and an undefeated District 32-6A championship. The Hawks captured their first Bird Bowl victory since 2007.

Under Gonzalez’s direction, the culture at Harlingen South changed and the athletes played with a renewed fire to become one of the top teams in the RGV. Gonzalez is the All-Star coach of the year.

“There was a lot of things that made this season special,” Gonzalez said. “The expectations were a little high, and nobody puts more pressure on themselves than I think I put on myself. … (This award) is a blessing. It’s humbling. I’m extremely grateful and proud of our kids and our coaching staff.”

Gonzalez said his first step was getting the kids “to understand that you believe in them.” He showed that he was there to do more than coach football, preaching faith and doing things the right way and being confident.

The Hawks responded to his coaching style immediately, and with everyone on the same page faster than expected, the sky was the limit. Gonzalez focused on building relationships not only between players and coaches, but between the team and its school and community. He knew he had something special early on, and he fostered it to reach its potential.

South soared, but for Gonzalez, being able to have an impact on athletes like the coaches who influenced him was the most special thing about the season.

“Going undefeated was great,” Gonzalez said. “Winning Bird Bowl was great. Looking back, being able to uphold the legacies of the coaches that coached me was most special.

“I think about Randy Cretors and what he did for me as a young man growing up in the Harlingen (High) program. I think about Manny Gomez and how he helped me and turned me into the coach I am today. I think about Monty Woodall and the impact he had on my life, not only as a coach but as a mentor. To think I could’ve made those guys proud is something I’ll never forget.”

By CLAIRE CRUZ, Staff Writer

Last season, the Port Isabel Tarpons played only one game before the COVID-19 pandemic ended their season.

They came back with a vengeance this year, with senior Gilbert Medina leading the way.

Medina thrived as the go-to running back in Port Isabel’s efficient offense, accumulating 1,541 yards and 18 touchdowns rushing. He added two more scores with 252 receiving yards, and took two kickoff returns to the house.

The speedy and versatile athlete was also stout in the secondary, hauling in six interceptions and two fumble recoveries, and recording 45 tackles.

Medina’s contributions on the field and senior leadership led the Tarpons to an 8-4 season and the second round of the Class 4A Division II playoffs. He is The Brownsville Herald’s 2021 All-Metro Football Most Valuable Player.

“It means a lot because I put a lot of effort in,” Medina said. “Not having a season last year and then this being my first year playing actual running back, I put in a lot of work. … Couldn’t have done it without my team. They were a huge part of my success. They made me look good sometimes.”

There was a lot more on Medina’s plate this season, but with his work ethic and dedication, he didn’t miss a beat juggling the responsibilities. Tarpons coach Tony Villarreal praised Medina’s football knowledge, toughness and selflessness, and credited him for having a key role in the turnaround.

“He’s a special young man,” Villarreal said. “He was the tailback in our offense, (and we played) him at slot receiver, then at J-back, then at halfback. He had the football IQ to match our offense.

“The biggest thing that I respect more than anything was he blocked harder than the two guys next to him,” Villarreal added. “When you have an MVP who blocks, he’s not just getting in the end zone and scoring, he’s a complete football player. And he plays defense. I tip my hat to him.”

Filling so many roles and being the go-to guy meant Medina had to learn every part of the offense. It wasn’t an easy task, but he worked hard and saw himself improve in every facet of the game.

“It was a lot of responsibility. It felt good though,” Medina said. “I had to learn how to be a decoy so I could open up holes for other backs. I had to fake really good. I grew with the way I ran. I was a lot more patient toward the end of the season, stayed behind my blockers, my line.

“I thank (the coaches) for having trust in me on offense,” he continued. “I hadn’t done it before, and I thank them for trusting me to run, catch, switch me to different positions. It was new for me, but I’m glad I finished my senior year as a running back.”

Medina said beating both Rio Hondo and Raymondville, the only other Valley teams in the district, was a highlight of this memorable season. He was proud Port Isabel exceeded expectations and hopes his efforts will inspire future Tarpons.

“People were saying we weren’t going to be good again, and all the seniors, we were hungry this season,” Medina said. “We wanted to get something done. We just worked hard, and it showed everyone what we could do. I hope everybody else practices as hard as I did. People are going to see this and say, “I want to be like him. I want to win that MVP. And it’s good.”

Offensive Player of the Year

Luigi Cristiano

Senior, Brownsville St. Joseph

Cristiano stepped into big shoes when he took the quarterback reins as a freshman, and during the past four seasons, he built his own Bloodhounds legacy.

This season, Cristiano posted eye-popping numbers to lead the Bloodhounds back to the TAPPS Division II playoffs. He set a new school record with 36 passing touchdowns, racking up 3,152 passing yards with only seven interceptions. His high completion rate and continuously impressive performances have earned Cristiano the All-Metro offensive player of the year award.

“I’ve seen people from years past get (this award) from St. Joe, and it motivated me,” Cristiano said. “Throughout the season I was thinking I deserved it, so it’s great to finally have done it. It means a lot.

“It might not seem like a ‘never-give-up’ story, but it kind of is,” he added. “I was never the chosen one. But me sticking with it, me trying to master my skills, it’s a never-give-up story and a hard work story, and I feel like it’s my own story, not anyone else’s.”

Cristiano came into this season knowing he had to top his strong junior season to keep SJA competitive in a tough district. The Bloodhounds didn’t have a workhorse running back like in seasons past, putting more on Cristiano’s plate.

He was comfortable taking on the extra responsibility because he felt he “mastered the playbook” after playing in the system through middle school and high school. Cristiano completed more than 50 percent of his passes and averaged 286.5 passing yards per game in 2021.

“I always had the skill. I felt like this season I was finally unleashed. I was ready to handle that,” Cristiano said. “It wasn’t all me. It was the whole team contributing, the receivers, linemen, running backs catching out of the backfield. It’s just what I needed to do.”

Cristiano said being labeled an underdog fueled him and his team throughout the years. And with plenty of support behind him, he kept the Bloodhounds successful.

“Firstly, I’d like to thank my dad. He always, I wouldn’t say forced, but pushed me to go to everything and give my all,” Cristiano said. “And, of course, coach Tino (Villarreal) because he’s been there all the years and he’s grown to be as close to a family member as you can get. Him and my dad are probably the two biggest influences.”

Defensive Player of the Year

Greg Jones

Senior, Los Fresnos

Jones, a linebacker, has been more than a standout defensive player during his time with the Falcons.

The three-year starter has been called “one of the best to wear the maroon and gold” by the Falcons’ coaching staff. He was the “heart and soul” of a defensive unit that anchored a lot of Los Fresnos’ success in 2021. Jones recorded 88 tackles, 5.5 sacks, two fumble recoveries and one blocked punt in a strong season that earned him the All-Metro defensive player of the year nod.

“I’m extremely grateful. It’s a big award,” Jones said. “I want to thank my coaches, my teammates, my family. They’re the ones that pushed me to be great and step up to the plate, and take on all the responsibilities that I needed to take on to achieve these goals.”

Jones worked hard during the offseason to improve his tackling, speed and leadership, and saw growth in all areas this season. He said it was amazing to help set the tone for his team every Friday night.

“I had to be the leader of that defense and honestly the whole team because we were pretty young,” Jones said. “It’s a big role. Everyone looks up to you, and you have to be that role model.

“I really wanted to get faster this past offseason I knew I’d be moving to inside linebacker, and I had to be everywhere on the field. Worked on my tackling, and I really think I improved in that.”

Jones started his Falcons career feeling like a too-small defensive lineman. That experience “made (him) reach another level and step up (his) game,” and he grew into one of the top defenders in the district, resulting in being tabbed the District 32-6A defensive MVP in 2021.

One of Jones’ best memories from the season was defeating Harlingen High in a double-overtime contest. He was proud of the dedication his brothers showed to turn the program around after “a couple of off years,” resulting in a trip to the area round. Jones hopes his efforts will be remembered for years to come in Los Fresnos.

“I’m thankful for all the opportunities I had,” Jones said. “I hope that I left my mark, showing no matter what, keep working, keep working, keep working and you can eventually get to the top.”

Newcomer of the Year

Storm Montoya

Freshman, Brownsville Veterans Memorial

Montoya had a breakout freshman season and was the leading rusher for the Chargers, compiling 835 yards and 968 all-purpose yards with five rushing touchdowns and four 100-plus-yard games. He was the top freshman rusher in Class 5A, according to MaxPreps. For his stellar rookie season, Montoya has been named the All-Metro newcomer of the year.

“It means a lot,” Montoya said. “I’ve actually been wanting to have this award since I was very little. I’ve always wanted to be known as that.

“My teammates got me here and helped me to run, and helped by blocking for me.”

Montoya wasn’t nervous about immediately taking on such a big role in the offense. Making the jump from middle school to varsity football was tough at times, but his hard work and natural abilities helped him thrive. The Chargers’ coaching staff saw his potential early on, and after posting 126 rushing yards in the season opener against Harlingen South, Montoya believed, too.

“I was surprised with how much the coaches believed in me,” Montoya said. “(Coach Kelley Lee) made some plays just for me, and he was always telling me how this spot was for the most athletic guy, and it gave me confidence and let me know what I could do. That (South) game, I was surprised about how I did because they were super good. That’s when I found out that I can adjust to defenses and rack up some yards.”

Montoya learned a lot from the Chargers’ seniors and grew out of his shell during his freshman season. The lessons he absorbed have him ready to take on a leadership role and improve his game even more next season. The success he had in 2021 drives the work he’s already doing to come back stronger as a sophomore.

“My parents played a big factor because they took me to all these camps, they got me better. And Coach Lee, (coach David) Duty, they all pushed me. They’re tough on us because they really want us to be better. Thanks to everyone that believed in me,” Montoya said. “(Now) I’ll help out all the guys coming up, the incoming freshmen, and let them know what it took for me to get here.”

Coach of the Year

Tony Villarreal, Port Isabel

Port Isabel coach Tony Villarreal added to his legacy in 2021, leading an impressive turnaround for the Tarpons.

After playing only one game last year, Villarreal directed the Tarpons to an 8-4 season and their first playoff victory since 2013. Port Isabel took on a challenging schedule containing eight road contests with a small and often banged up roster. The Tarpons achieved a lot this season, and Villarreal has been tabbed the All-Metro coach of the year for his leadership.

“It’s a very humbling award,” Villarreal said. “This one was a whole lot special because it was quite a ride. I thought about it on Christmas Eve, and I got a little emotional. I called all the coaches and thanked them because of the Herculean effort that we put in.

“The ones I have to give credit to more than anybody are the coaches and the kids,” he added. “The seniors, for their mental toughness and their grit to not be denied the opportunity to be successful. And the coaches for listening. It ended up being a magical year.”

Port Isabel had to overcome limited participation for much of the offseason. Villarreal said only 12 kids came out for spring ball in April. That number grew to a consistent 15 until finally participation increased just before the season started.

With many athletes going both ways, only two lettermen on the roster and not much offseason training, Villarreal had to be strategic throughout the season. He set small goals, like winning all home games, and the Tarpons rose to each challenge.

He limited playing time during the regular-season finale against Rockport-Fulton to keep his guys fresh for the playoffs, which resulted in Port Isabel knocking off Carrizo Springs for a bi-district title. The Tarpons earned statewide recognition from Dave Campbell’s Texas Football for the victory.

Villarreal returned to Port Isabel and promptly put the Tarpons back on the map. With Villarreal at the helm, they’re ready to build on the re-established tradition of success.

“There’s a different breed of young men here,” he said. “Every game we wanted to go out and hit people harder than they’d been hit. The culture here … the community expects the Tarpons to win, and they push them and then they support them. And these guys got it done.”

By CLAIRE CRUZ, Staff Writer

Brownsville Rivera senior outside hitter Kenya Ibarra has solidified herself as one of the most complete volleyball players in the Rio Grande Valley throughout her career.

She had another superb season leading the Lady Raiders, recording 456 kills, 39 aces, 15 blocks and 242 digs. For the second consecutive season, Ibarra is The Brownsville Herald’s 2021 All-Metro volleyball most valuable player, adding to her illustrious resume. But the humble star credits all the success to those around her.

“It just means that my team really pulled through for me. I would never be able to do this without them,” Ibarra said. “I’ve been playing volleyball since I was about 8 years old, putting in many hours a week, playing six out of seven days a week. It was a lot but it was really, really worth it.”

Ibarra also repeated as the District 32-6A MVP. She carried the load for Rivera’s offensive attack, swinging frequently from the outside pin and putting away kills from all over the court. She also contributed well as a defender.

“Skill-wise, I think I’m most expected to play well as an outside hitter, but I don’t mind playing any position because all of it is volleyball and volleyball is what I love to do,” Ibarra said. “(Outside hitter is) a really high-expectation position so it’s a lot of anxiety I’d say, but having the teammates I do makes it really fun and it helps you grow up. …

“It’s been a struggle sometimes, but my teammates and my coach never put pressure on me. They always supported my decisions. They never made me do anything on my own.”

Rivera coach Liz Avelar-Guerra said Ibarra “has been the reason our program has been so successful for the last four years, leading in kills every year and also being an all-around player and captain for three years.” She’s a four-time bi-district champion and an undefeated district champion.

She’s knowledgeable, powerful and aggressive as a hitter, making her a versatile threat who can pound down a booming kill, place a well-timed tip or send a smart shot off a block or to an open spot.

But Ibarra’s ultimate goal wasn’t only to be the best player on the court, but the best leader. She wanted her teammates to feel supported and to “keep the environment positive” to foster success. And though she’s accomplished a lot, her best memories revolve around her teammates.

“It really is a family here, and you feel so much trust in the people around you and you feel you can do anything,” Ibarra said. “On the court, our memorable moments were just having each other’s backs, having somebody to high-five after a good hit or having somebody to hug when the game’s over. Those things stay with you.”

Ibarra hopes she left an example of confidence, humility and showing respect for one’s team with the Rivera program. She thanked the teammates she’s grown with since middle school, all her coaches and the loyal Lady Raiders fans for making her high school career what it was.

“I could not tell you one person specifically because there’s so many people out there that have supported me. My family, my teammates, my coaches, I can’t thank them enough,” Ibarra said. “I don’t know if I can find the words (to describe my career). It’s been the most amazing feeling I’ve ever had.”

Offensive Player of the Year

Katherine Elise Fourt

Junior, Brownsville Veterans Memorial

For the second season in a row, Brownsville Veterans Memorial’s powerful Fourt is the All-Metro offensive player of the year.

The middle blocker tallied 361 kills and a .319 hitting percentage and added 35 aces. She grew as a player in all phases of the game, but the thing that made the biggest difference to her improvement was her improved mental toughness.

“It feels amazing. I love getting this recognition, and I love how my team has helped me throughout these past few years. It’s just been getting better and better,” Fourt said. “I felt myself improve more in the back row and mentally. I was mentally stronger this year, and I was more involved with my team.”

Fourt is well-known as one of the top offensive pieces on a loaded Lady Chargers attack, therefore she often draws double blocks and extra defense. Her improved mentality and high volleyball IQ helped her make smart decisions and put down strong kills at a high clip.

“I used to have a really bad mindset, and it was really easy to shut me down. Now I’m mentally strong,” Fourt said. “I won’t let it get to me if I get blocked. I shake it off and ask for the ball again right after that one. You just have to keep going. If I see a big block, you work around it, you tip, you hit through it or tool off it. You work with what you get.

“Me and my setter work really well together, Paulina Ramirez. I want to give her a shoutout because I love her so much. She’s a really good setter and we connected in a different way this year, and it helped me execute and put the ball away.”

Fourt said one of her main goals this season was “leading and keeping everyone in line, helping everyone keep their heads up.” She knew the team was talented and wanted to be the person to lift others up when things went wrong.

After growing as a leader and player this season, Fourt now has her sights set on earning the ultimate All-Metro award next season.

“I want to thank (Brownsville Veterans coach Lisa Mares). She’s been a really great coach the last two years. And I want to thank Jackie Kingsbury. She came in at the very end of our season, and she really helped me with the amount of pressure that was put on me, helped me get through it,” Fourt said. “I’ve been offensive (player of the year) and I’m really glad and I love getting that, but I’m really going to try to be All-Metro MVP next season.”

Defensive Player of the Year

Andie Lozano-Lomeli

Sophomore, Brownsville Pace

During every Brownsville Pace volleyball match, the passion sophomore middle blocker Lozano-Lomeli plays with is undeniable.

After every big play, especially a block, she can be seen tucking her elbows into her sides, hands fisted with glee, eyes closed as she lets outs an excited yell and is greeted by teammates at midcourt. It’s an emotional response fans saw often as Lozano-Lomeli recorded a whopping 132 blocks during the 2021 season.

Lozano-Lomeli contributed dynamic defense at the net, helping the Lady Vikings in a number of ways as they finished second in District 32-5A. She is the All-Metro defensive player of the year.

“Getting this award means a lot to me because I’ve been putting in a lot of work all-around and it’s nice to be recognized. I’m feeling really good about it,” Lozano-Lomeli said. “I did a lot of work in club ball during the offseason. Give a lot of credit to (coach Daya Venegas). She came in this year and did a lot for this team, and she worked with me on everything, including my blocking skills.”

Some of the work Lozano-Lomeli did was focusing on being dynamic. She worked on footwork and taking bigger, stronger steps to cover more area at the net faster and to get more lift on her blocks. When Pace needed a stop, she made quick, smart reads and hustled to stuff even the best opposing hitters.

“I feel like the middle blocker’s job is kind of underrated,” Lozano-Lomeli said. “There’s a ton of components you have to think about. You think about where the set’s going, where the defense is, where to angle yourself, and you have to remember you’re the first line of defense. The defense behind you, you have to cover areas they can’t, so it’s important.”

Lozano-Lomeli said she feeds off the energy from her teammates and fans, and vice versa. She was driven to have a big season for the seniors this year, and her animated playing style and 388 kills helped Pace achieve that.

With two impressive seasons under her belt to start her Lady Vikings career, Lozano-Lomeli is looking for bigger things in the future. She’ll be doing the offseason work necessary to “improve all-around” and be even better next year.

“I want to give a lot of credit to my teammates and my coaches. Without them, I wouldn’t be able to do this. They keep me hype and keep me going,” Lozano-Lomeli said. “It’s nice to have a lot of support. Our fans this season were great. Having the support of my school really influenced the way we played.”

Setter of the Year

Clarissa Olivares

Senior, Brownsville Rivera

For three years, Olivares has been running the Brownsville Rivera offense as the sole setter in the Lady Raiders’ 5-1 setup.

She’s proven herself to have great control and knowledge of the game, and her work ethic has kept her improving not only as a setter, but as a defender and server throughout her career. As a senior this season, Olivares recorded 881 assists, 247 digs and 18 aces. She is the All-Metro setter of the year.

“It feels like a really good accomplishment for me,” Olivares said. “My sophomore year I did get it also, but I did share it. So finally getting it by myself is a big eye-opener to see how far I’ve come in this sport and how much work and effort I’ve put into each practice and each game.”

Olivares showcased her athleticism and body control at the net to execute jump sets to run a quick offensive attack and to save passes that carried too tight on the net. She had a knack for knowing when to dunk over the second touch, too, and recorded 31 kills.

The passion Olivares has for the sport was displayed by the consistent hustle she showed in every match. She delivered precise sets from all over the court, never giving up on an off-target pass.

“I felt like it was all on me. I put the game on me. If we won or lost, I would always look back at the mistakes I made or try to fix myself during the game,” Olivares said. “Knowing (the team) trusted me to make the decisions was great. Our bond helped us over the years, and them knowing who I was going to set or just being ready as hitters was amazing.”

Olivares credited the offseason training she did with club organizations RGV Volleyball and the Mission Volleyball Players Academy for aiding her improvement. She’s especially grateful for her Rivera coaches and teammates, who made her grow “not only as a player but as a captain.” The bond created within the Lady Raiders program was something she called unforgettable.

Mostly, she said the support she received from her family pushed her to become the top-notch player and setter she is today.

“A big, huge chunk of my thank you would go to my parents because they have always been with me, hearing me out when I am having trouble,” Olivares said. “My sister also, because she was the Hanna setter back in 2016, and she’s been my role model in this sport.”

Newcomer of the Year

Carmina Tijerina

Freshman, Brownsville St. Joseph

As a freshman, Tijerina earned a starting spot and immediately was an asset for the Brownsville St. Joseph Lady Bloodhounds.

The versatile and “dynamic little player,” as coach Dolores Olguin-Trevino said, notched 316 kills, 340 digs and a whopping 124 aces during the 2021 season. She made her presence known early in her career and is the All-Metro newcomer of the year.

“I feel really blessed and proud to receive this award,” Tijerina said. “This recognition means a lot to me since I’ve been putting so much effort and time to the sport I love.

“I’m very thankful, and I feel accomplished and motivated for my next years at SJA. Hard work always pays off.”

Tijerina experienced some early nerves as her high school career began by moving to a new school, but she found comfort on the volleyball court. She worked tirelessly to be better in a variety of positions, and her effort translated throughout the season. She believes she’s most effective on defense and as a passer.

“When I got to meet the girls in the volleyball team they made me feel welcomed, and I’m very grateful for them,” Tijerina said. “Since I started playing volleyball I’ve played different positions. I feel very confident in the court. I think what has helped is I’ve been practicing all year long, have discipline, being consistent and putting in 100 percent every day.”

Tijerina expressed her thanks to a number of people for helping her during the transition to a new school and to varsity volleyball. Her work ethic and passion give her a high ceiling as her SJA career continues.

“I want to thank my family for always supporting me, especially my dad who has been my coach ever since I started playing volleyball,” Tijerina said. “I’m very thankful for him because I wouldn’t accomplish anything without him and his assistant coach, my mom.

“I want to thank my grandparents for taking me to school every day and supporting me,” she continued. “Last, but of course not least, Coach Olguin. She has been a great coach and will always be for keeping me motivated, for always having positive things to say and always has a way to bring me up.”

Coach of the Year

Lisa Mares

Brownsville Veterans Memorial

Mares has been the woman in charge of the highly successful Brownsville Veterans Memorial program since its inception in 2010.

The Lady Chargers have improved every season and become a dominant group under her leadership. This season, Mares captured her 300th win, clinched her seventh district title with the program and has been tabbed the All-Metro coach of the year.

“I’m very humbled and grateful to be recognized,” Mares said. “This accomplishment is not solely based on my behalf, but that of our players, parents, fans, our offseason coaches and trainers, and especially my assistant coaches.”

Mares led the Lady Chargers to an undefeated District 32-5A championship and their 11th consecutive trip to the playoffs in 2021. An uncommonly high number of injuries left Mares constantly reworking the lineup and plugging young players into the starting roster. The extra challenges made their success more meaningful.

“I knew it was going to be tough because we didn’t have the experience, but I’m extremely proud of the girls’ perserverence, passion and strength that they displayed through all this adversity and how they came together even when we had missing pieces,” Mares said.

“Seeing them come together and accomplishing what we did was amazing,” she continued. “In the long run, the girls gained so much experience from this year, and myself as well, to keep pushing forward.”

Mares thanked the Brownsville Veterans parents and fans for the “great support and encouragement” they contributed all season. The intense matches the Lady Chargers played against Brownsville Pace had capacity crowds and were extremely memorable. She credited her former coach, Rivera’s Avelar-Guerra, for sparking the flame that grew into her incredible career.

Mares’ time with the Lady Chargers is complete since she’ll be relocating for personal reasons, but she’s proud of the way it ended.

“A person who helped me reach my potential and saw success for me professionally before I even saw it was coach Liz Guerra,” Mares said. “She’s been a true legend, teacher and friend, and she along with many other coaches have showed me to give 110 percent in all you do. That stuck with me. …

“Unfortunately, my time as coach will pause for a while,” she added. “It’s a sport that’s given me so much happiness and purpose. Coming into the season, I kind of knew it would be my last, so there was a lot more wanting it, but I couldn’t portray that. To end this way, it’s really special for me.”

By CLAIRE CRUZ, Staff Writer

For the third consecutive year, the San Perlita Lady Trojans found themselves in the regional quarterfinal round of the Class 1A playoffs.

A big part of that consistent success was outside hitter Aliyah Garcia. The four-year starter grew into an every-rotation player and the backbone of the team. During her senior season, Garcia was the team’s leading hitter and blocker, and averaged a whopping 11 aces per match.

For her contributions to another strong Lady Trojans season in 2021 and stellar all-around play, Garcia is the Valley Morning Star’s All-Star volleyball most valuable player.

“I didn’t believe it (when I heard),” Garcia said. “I was super surprised. There’s so many other girls that could’ve gotten this award, and I’m just so thankful. I always try to work hard and to do my best, so I was like, wow.”

Garcia was a natural when it came to hitting and blocking, but she worked particularly hard to improve her back-row defense, and that effort was on full display this season. Despite the height that helped her prowess at the net, Garcia dived for digs and delivered precise passes to set up the offense. San Perlita coach Criselda Rubalcaba said “her back-row skills match her front-row skills, digging and receiving with ease.”

Other areas of growth throughout Garcia’s career were her maturity and leadership. She went from being an easily frustrated freshman to a composed, encouraging senior, and she made her teammates better along the way.

“I didn’t want to bring anybody down,” Garcia said. “The biggest thing was working together and encouraging each other no matter what happened, and I think I grew in that aspect of the game.

“I wanted to do well for them. No matter what happened, I just wanted to encourage them and let them know they were doing enough because we were all working hard.”

Being from a small school means Garcia’s success is everyone’s success, and she wants her younger teammates and the incoming Lady Trojans to know anything is possible with the support of their town.

“I hope that it motivates the younger girls to keep working hard and to try to be better,” Garcia said. “Everybody knows each other here, it’s like a big family, and I’m glad people got to see what we could do. I hope that later on, the younger girls leave their own legacy for our community.

“My parents are super encouraging and my coach, Coach Rubalcaba, she’s always been there. She’s always encouraged us to do well,” she added. “All of my community, all my friends, everybody, I thank them for their support.”

Offensive Player of the Year

Juli Bryant

Junior, Harlingen High

The Harlingen High Lady Cardinals had a remarkable 2021 season, and one of the big keys to their success was the power-hitting Bryant.

For the second consecutive year, Bryant is the All-STAR offensive player of the year. The junior outside hitter recorded an outstanding 598 kills this season and was strong at the service line as she helped the Lady Cards win their first District 32-6A championship in 15 years.

“It feels great. It took a lot of time to get where I’m at right now, and I wouldn’t have done it without (Lady Cardinals coach Joslynn Torres) and my coaches from Venom (my club team),” Bryant said. “I think everyone can tell I’ve grown a lot from my freshman year, mentally and physically. My game got stronger, and I wasn’t as hard on myself.”

Bryant’s growth and improvement helped her cross a big goal off her list when she captured career kill No. 1,000 during a match against Los Fresnos on Oct. 19.

“It was my goal to get it as a senior. I’m so glad I got to reach it as a junior,” Bryant said. “It was amazing, especially to have this team help me accomplish that. I wouldn’t have wanted any other team to help me reach this goal. If I didn’t have this team, I probably wouldn’t have reached it.”

Teams often used a double-block or shadowed Bryant defensively, and even picked on her in serve-receive to try and contain her attack. But Bryant stayed composed and intelligently mixed up her speeds and locations more often this season, finding ways to be successful.

She credited the endless film study and intense practices her coaches initiated for getting her ready to battle opposing defenses and still shine. Bryant has 1,090 career kills and is ready to keep that count rising next season.

“I jump really high, so when I get set and I’m in the air, I can tell whether I should hit cross, hit line, tip in a certain area, shoot,” Bryant said. “I can see over the defense and I knew just where to place it. … It took a lot of time and a lot of hard work in practice.

“Thank you to my family, to the coaches, my teammates, to the fans, to my friends for being there to support me and push me through this journey,” she added. “I can’t wait to see what happens next year.”

Defensive Player of the Year

Elena Aguinaga

Senior, Harlingen High

For the second consecutive season, Harlingen High’s senior libero has been named the All-Star defensive player of the year.

Aguinaga has showcased elite defensive abilities throughout her Lady Cardinals career. There’s not a flashy save she hasn’t completed, and her passing precision allows the offense to run smoothly. Aguinaga recorded 486 digs this season and was dynamic at the service line, resulting in a District 32-6A libero of the year nod to add to her impressive resume.

“It’s another moment in my career that I really appreciate. All my hard work paid off,” Aguinaga said. “Ever since I started, I try to keep getting better and better. So the chance to receive this award again means that if I keep working hard, it’ll show.”

Aguinaga’s hustle and willingness to sacrifice her body for a pancake dig or to chase a rogue pass drew appreciation. Lady Cardinals coach Joslynn Torres calls her the “hardest worker we have on the court.” But Aguinaga believes her constant communication is her biggest asset. She can read the game at a high level, and she uses her knowledge to make her team better.

“I always get compliments on (my communication) and it’s great when people are, like, ‘She’s so talkative, she knows how to play, she knows her game,’” Aguinaga said. “(Libero is) an important role for the team. I’ve always taken pride in my team, I love my team and I always wanted to do everything I could, especially sharing some of the knowledge I have about volleyball.”

Opponents often tried to serve or hit away from Aguinaga, but she said staying focused and reading the hitters helped her find ways to counter that. She thanked her parents and all the coaches she’s had for the support and training that turned her into a program-changing talent.

Not only did Aguinaga help the Lady Cards win their first district title in 15 years, she also became the first in the program to sign to play college volleyball in a long while. She’ll be playing for Navarro College in the fall.

Aguinaga hopes all that she and her team achieved during their stellar 2021 season sets a precedent for future success with Harlingen High volleyball.

“This year was about trying to set a tradition. I really hope after this year, we started a tradition of being good at volleyball and not just barely making the playoffs,” Aguinaga said. “I know there had not been a signing for volleyball at Harlingen High in about 15 years, so I hope I start a tradition of people from here wanting to continue their career at the next level.”

Setter of the Year

Jalyssa Sauceda

Senior, Rio Hondo

Sauceda battled to earn her spot as the starting setter for Rio Hondo for two years, and when her time came as a senior during the 2021 season, she thrived.

Under new direction, the Lady ’Cats switched to a 5-1 setup, putting all the setting responsibility in Sauceda’s hands. Coach Esther Pena said she asked a lot from Sauceda, and “she always rose to the challenge.” For her efforts in helping Rio Hondo clinch its first District 32-4A championship in history, Sauceda is the All-Star setter of the year.

“I don’t even know how to describe it. I was in shock, but just happy for myself because of all the hard work I put into this award,” Sauceda said. “Since I was a sophomore I was on varsity, and setting was the only position I ever did. I had to work harder to earn my spot and rightfully deserve a starting spot. That all came together my senior year, and I felt I had a pretty good season.”

Sauceda enjoyed making the offensive decisions, and she took it upon herself to keep opposing defenses on their toes. Whether she was distributing the ball to all her pins or sending over a surprise second touch, Sauceda used her volleyball IQ to score points.

“The responsibility made me feel like even more of a leader. It was fun to be like a second coach,” Sauceda said. “I give everybody a chance. If we’re in a rally, I’ll set it to each position in the front row, and even in the back row because I knew we had some strong hitters back there. I always mixed it up. … I’d think about how the other team would think about our offense.”

Sauceda and her teammates achieved a lot this season. A special thing she crossed off her list of goals was beating La Feria twice, which never happened once during her previous seasons, while going undefeated in district.

She thanked her coach and her family for their support, but mostly, Sauceda was grateful for the trust her teammates gave her as they made history together during her final year.

“I’d like to thank my teammates first, because they’re the ones that stayed by my side and trusted me to be their setter,” Sauceda said. “They made me a better setter. I’m not perfect, they’re not perfect either, but we all tried to help each other to be a perfect team.”

Newcomer of the Year

Malloree Mireles

Freshman, Harlingen South

It’s not easy making the jump from middle school volleyball to playing on a varsity squad as a freshman, but Harlingen South’s Mireles thrived in that situation.

The rookie outside/middle hitter bloomed into a valuable asset, helping the Lady Hawks clinch a playoff spot in the competitive District 32-6A. She tallied 342 kills and 152 digs and was the “best attacker” and the “go-to girl” this season, the coaching staff said.

For having such a strong immediate impact in her debut season, Mireles has been tabbed the All-Star newcomer of the year.

“I was very proud of myself, especially with this award,” Mireles said. “I got the unanimous first-team all-district award, and I really wanted the newcomer of the year district award and I was disappointed with myself when I didn’t get it. (When I heard I got this one) I was, like, no way. I was so excited and very, very happy.”

Mireles was humble when reflecting on her success. She consistently credited her teammates, coaches and the connection developed among the team for making her better. But Mireles showed elite volleyball IQ at her young age, finding ways to work around blocks intent to slow her down as opponents caught on to her skill.

She was nervous when the season first started, but with the support and encouragement of her older teammates, Mireles found her confidence stepped up tremendously for her team.

“It was very intimidating at first and, like, ‘Wow, I really get the opportunity to have this spot.’ I’m very grateful for it,” Mireles said. “It meant a lot to me, especially for the seniors to take me in as a freshman and make a connection with me. For the whole team to let me into their group and for us to all play together well really meant a lot.

“The communication between all of us (was crucial),” she continued. “And my setter, Kylie Fonseca, we definitely gained chemistry with each other throughout the season. She gave me those perfect sets.”

Harlingen South is graduating many key pieces, which will leave Mireles in line to be a leader next season. After the way she excelled in 2021, she feels ready to make that leap, especially with all the support in her corner.

“Me being a (returning) varsity player, I definitely have to step in and take the role of being a leader for the new girls coming in and show them how we run as a varsity team,” Mireles said. “I want to thank everyone that’s always been there for me, especially (my dad). I like to call him my ‘soccer dad.’ He’s been a big part of the volleyball season.”

Coach of the Year

Esther Pena, Rio Hondo

The Rio Hondo Lady Bobcats had a historic 2021 season under first-year coach Pena.

They won the program’s first district title, and they did so in undefeated fashion. For taking the program to heights it had never seen before, Pena earned the title of All-Star coach of the year.

“It’s a huge honor to receive this award, but all the credit goes to the girls for their hard work and unity. It’s a great place to start,” Pena said. “We expressed to the girls that we are so proud of them and what they accomplished together. They made history in more ways than one. They have raised the bar for volleyball at Rio Hondo.”

Pena spent six years as an assistant with the program before taking the reins this year. Like most coaches, she had the girls set their sights on a district championship, but mostly she “wanted them to be successful, work together and respect each other.”

The Lady ’Cats were excited to have Pena in charge and they responded “really well” to her style. She stressed versatility and made her athletes better in all phases of the game — and outside of the game — leading to the team coming together in a new way and elevating the program for the future.

“I knew there were a lot more responsibilities with the head coaching position, but I was excited about the challenge,” Pena said. “The fact that I was working with excellent coaches and received a tremendous amount of support made the transition even more rewarding.

“One thing I’ve always preached to the girls (is) I’m not here to only coach their skills in volleyball, but also to make them a well-rounded young lady,” she continued. “I couldn’t have asked for a better group of girls. They were all so coachable and dedicated. They were there for each other, they supported each other. As time went on we became a whole, and we were able to execute and be successful.”

By CLAIRE CRUZ, Staff Writer

BROWNSVILLE — Championship Saturday at the Brownsville ISD boys and girls basketball tournaments featured competitive games and talented teams.

The top matchup of the day was a rematch between the Brownsville Pace Vikings and the Brownsville St. Joseph Bloodhounds in the boys platinum bracket championship.

After losing to the Vikings in pool play Friday, the Bloodhounds cleaned up their game and took their revenge, defeating Pace 65-58 in a thrilling battle at Brownsville Hanna. SJA coach Sam Lucio, a Hanna alumnus who was named outstanding coach of the tournament, was emotional after the win.

“Our boys deserved it. It’s special for me because I went to school here, and to win here, it just feels good,” Lucio said. “After losing to Pace (on Friday), we just wanted another chance to play them because they’re one of the best teams. When we can compete with them, we know we’re going to have a great season.”

Tournament MVP Gerry Martinez led the Bloodhounds offensively, dishing out assists and scoring 33 points with three clutch 3-pointers during the second half to help his team pull away. Luigi Cristiano was a force in the paint, battling with Pace’s bigs and consistently pulling down rebounds. Cristiano (13 points) and Josh Cisneros (13 points) were all-tournament selections.

Pace knocked down three 3-pointers during the first quarter and played solid defense to hold a slim 20-17 lead. Elias Fortaneli (11 points), Benny Villarreal (15 points) and Alexander Agado anchored the electric start. Both defenses tightened up in the second quarter, leaving the contest tied at halftime.

The gym was buzzing as the two dynamic teams exchanged big moments and kept the score close. Cristiano and Villarreal (15 points) dueled down low, both turning in important minutes for their teams. SJA held a 45-43 lead heading into the final quarter thanks to a buzzer-beating bucket from Cristiano.

The fourth quarter was fast-paced and intense. Pace battled to the end, but the smooth-shooting Bloodhounds held on for the win. SJA went 7-for-11 at the free-throw line, and the big three of Martinez, Cristiano and Cisneros came up with defensive stops, rebounds and key points to secure the win.

“I loved the way our boys competed in this great atmosphere,” Lucio said. “I wanted to see how our boys can play under that pressure … because when we have to travel in district and playoffs it’s going to be like this.”

Edinburg Vela defeated Los Fresnos 51-31 in the girls platinum bracket championship behind its top-notch tandem of Emma Lucio (18 points) and Janai Coleman (20 points).

Not only did the duo spearhead Vela’s offensive production — it also played lockdown defense. Vela plugged up the field and kept Los Fresnos from feeding the ball inside, resulting in a number of deep takes that didn’t fall. The Lady Falcons only reached double-digit scoring in one quarter.

Sarahi Jones (17 points), Aylene Ortega and Olivia Parra kept Los Fresnos competitive. First-year coach Alex Lucio was happy with the way his team battled throughout the tournament to reach the title game and said the Lady Falcons are coming together.

“I’m proud of them. There’s growing pains, but they’re getting better,” Alex Lucio said. “They’re still learning me, learning about each other and our system. We’re taking steps in the right direction.”

The Brownsville Lopez Lobos took home the trophy in the boys gold bracket after handily defeating North Mission IDEA 62-36.

“I’m happy for them because they work extremely hard and they’re being rewarded for that,” Lopez coach Erick Quintero said. “We have the players to compete this year. We think we’re a playoff team, no doubt about it. The time for us is now.”

Lopez was firing on all cylinders and dominated the contest from the jump. The Lobos, led by Elias Rodarte, played aggressive defense, creating a bevy of turnovers and keeping North Mission IDEA off the board for long stretches. Jacob Cortinas and Angel Ramirez were solid in the paint, recording rebounds and battling with North Mission’s size.

Junior point guard Marco Coello anchored the offense with assists and scored 26 points. He was virtually unstoppable, whether driving to the basket or knocking down a jumper from the field. Coello performed admirably all weekend to lead the Lobos through their competitive tournament slate.

“Everyone played great, a lot of people stepped up and played bigger than what their role is,” Coello said. “We all came together and pulled through for the win.

“Still a lot of work to be done. This team hasn’t tapped the potential we have.”

Rio Hondo won the girls gold bracket championship with a 54-32 victory over Brownsville Rivera. The Lyford Lady Bulldogs claimed the silver bracket championship by defeating Brownsville Porter 54-13.

Boys all-tournament team honors were awarded to Daniel Oliva of Brownsville Veterans Memorial, Julian Avila of McAllen Rowe, Hanna’s Ricardo Roman, Rivera’s Ramsey Rocha, Jeffery Smith of Port Isabel and Ray De Leon of Edinburg Economedes. Fortaneli and Cristian Guajardo of Pace were selected, too.

Girls all-tournament selections were Vela’s GG Betancourt and Coleman, Los Fresnos’ Jones and Ortega, Hanna’s Yazmin Rucoba, Destiny Menchaca of Rowe, Heaven Estrada of PSJA High, San Perlita’s Aliyah Garcia, McAllen High’s Andrea Fuentes and Ashley Gonzalez of Edinburg Harvest. Vela’s Lucio was named MVP.

By CLAIRE CRUZ, Staff Writer

Day 2 of the Brownsville ISD boys and girls basketball tournaments was action-packed as teams took the first step toward clinching bracket championships.

The boys teams played one final pool play game in the early slate Friday before beginning seeded bracket play.

Brownsville Pace and Brownsville St. Joseph gave a full Pace gym quite a show as they battled for the No. 1 seed in Pool C. The Pace Vikings picked up a 70-53 victory over the Bloodhounds.

The Bloodhounds got off to a fast start to take an early lead. Pace’s Benny Villarreal came up big in the paint to slow SJA and snagged rebounds to help tie the game at 10. From that point, the two solid squads swapped blows like heavyweights until Pace opened things up during the fourth quarter.

Luigi Cristiano (15 points) and Josh Cisneros (13 points) anchored the Bloodhounds, knocking down clutch shots and with strong play in the paint from Cristiano. But SJA was held to nine points in the fourth quarter as Pace turned up the defensive intensity.

Cristian Guajardo (25 points), Alexander Agado (16 points) and Benny Villarreal (14 points) turned in key performances to lead the Vikings to victory. Elias Fortaneli contributed top-notch defense, sticking tightly to SJA’s Gerry Martinez to keep the top offensive weapon quiet.

Pace, Brownsville Rivera, Brownsville Hanna and McAllen Rowe each went undefeated in pool play and moved on to the platinum bracket. St. Joseph, Brownsville Veterans, Port Isabel and Edinburg Economedes advanced as No. 2 seeds.

Edinburg Economedes and St. Joseph defeated Hanna and Rowe, respectively, in the opening round of bracket play Friday evening to reach the platinum championship semifinals. They’ll face off today at 12:30 p.m. at Hanna’s main gym.

Port Isabel defeated Rivera 50-44 and will face Pace, which defeated Brownsville Veterans Memorial 64-61 in Round 1, in the platinum semifinals at 12:30 p.m. at Hanna’s “B” gym.

The Tarpons had to battle in a back-and-forth contest with the Raiders. Ultimately, their speed and athleticism made the difference. Gilbert Medina, Kaiden Martinez and Josue Navarro were physical down low to snag a plethora of rebounds. The Tarpons found a lot of points by feeding defensive rebounds to open teammates with long passes for open layups.

Medina (14 points) and Joey Ricco showed off their handles to beat Rivera’s clingy defenders and create scoring opportunities for Port Isabel. Jeffery Smith added 10 points behind strong drives.

The contest got chippy as the second half rolled on, and both teams were called for frequent fouls. Ramsey Rocha led Rivera’s offense with 24 points and nailed four 3-pointers. Irineo Acevedo (11 points) was physical in the paint and teamed with Alek Guzman to anchor Rivera’s rebounding.

In the gold bracket, Brownsville Lopez advanced to the semifinals with a 61-43 win over San Benito. The Lopez Lobos will face Brownsville Porter at 9:30 a.m. at Hanna’s “B” gym.

Junior guard Marco Coello had a monster game to lead Lopez to victory, scoring a whopping 43 points. Coello was also effective defensively, forcing turnovers and cashing them in on the other end with strong drives and smooth jump shots.

Lopez used a relentlessly aggressive defense to open things up during the second half. The Lobos closed the third quarter with a 7-0 run, then they dominated the boards and played physical defense to hold San Benito to six points in the fourth quarter. DeAnthony Mireles paced the Greyhounds with 14 points.

In the girls tournament, Los Fresnos routed San Perlita 84-44 to advance to the platinum bracket semifinals, where it will take on McAllen High at Hanna’s “B” gym. Edinburg Harvest and Edinburg Vela will compete at Hanna’s main gym. Both contests are scheduled for 11 a.m. today.

The gold bracket championship semifinal games will take place at 9:30 a.m. today. Brownsville Rivera and Harlingen High JV face off at Hanna, and Rio Hondo and Brownsville St. Joseph will tip off at Brownsville Porter.

In the silver bracket championship semifinals, Porter and Donna IDEA are playing at Hanna’s main gym. Lyford will battle the Hanna JV at the B gym. Both contests will tip off at 8 a.m.

All three girls championship games are scheduled for 2 p.m. at Hanna’s campus. The boys gold championship is slated for 12:30 p.m., and the platinum championship will be played at 3:30 p.m., both at Hanna.

By CLAIRE CRUZ, Staff Writer

HARLINGEN — Janyssa Ramos put pen to paper Friday and officially reached a goal she has been working toward since she was 10 years old.

Ramos, a senior pitcher for the Harlingen South Lady Hawks, signed to continue her education and softball career at Texas A&M University-Kingsville. The southpaw will be competing in the Lone Star Conference at the NCAA Division II level.

“It feels great,” Ramos said. “Being able to continue playing is something I really love. I’m glad I have such a great support system around me — my family, my mom and dad, my friends and teammates, and everyone who has always been there for me.

“I felt very comfortable (at TAMUK),” she added. “Everyone was very inviting, the coaches made me feel welcome, and I loved the campus. Not too far from home, but far enough. I’m excited to see what it’s going to be like.”

Ramos hasn’t declared a major, but she’s interested in biomedical sciences or something in the medical field. She epitomizes being a student-athlete by balancing athletics with the rigorous academics that come with attending the Harlingen School of Health Professions, where she’s studying to be a certified medical assistant. She believes that experience will help her in college.

First-year South softball coach Joey Rios said in the short time he’s spent with Ramos so far, it’s clear that her personality positively impacts her teammates. He and Ramos called this milestone “just the beginning” of what they’re hoping will be a big season for the senior and her Lady Hawks teammates.

Ramos said her South career has taught her that “there’s going to be hard times, but everyone’s going to come together and it’s going to be a good thing.” She’s looking forward to being around competitive athletes and working hard to show what she can do, just like she always has.

“I remember at first I wanted to pitch, but at that time I didn’t know how. The ball was going over the fences,” Ramos said. “Now I’m going to college for it. It took a lot of work. My parents always told me, ‘Work hard because it pays off, and in the process stay humble.’”

By CLAIRE CRUZ, Staff Writer

Basketball was in full force from sunrise until well after sunset Thursday as the Brownsville ISD girls and boys tournaments commenced.

There was a last-minute change on the girls side, moving Rio Hondo into the pool with Lyford and Los Fresnos, and Brownsville IDEA Riverview moving into the group with Brownsville Porter and Edinburg Harvest.

Rio Hondo defeated Lyford 45-35 to open its campaign. Eliza Rodriguez paced the Rio Hondo Lady Bobcats in the victory, scoring 22 points and playing aggressive defense that resulted in steals, blocks and forced turnovers. Jalyssa Saucedo and Alexis Rhyner contributed to the defensive onslaught that anchored Rio Hondo’s win and held Lyford to 10 points scored during the second half.

Damaris Bermudez led the Lady Bulldogs with 12 points. Alyssa Garcia and Marley Perez played well for Lyford, but as a unit, the Lady Bulldogs struggled to finish under the basket and convert on free throws. They went 5-for-20 at the charity stripe.

The San Perlita Lady Trojans picked up a 36-12 victory over Santa Rosa in their first game of the day. San Perlita held the Lady Warriors scoreless during the fourth quarter and only allowed four points in the first half.

Both teams had some shooting woes early and ended the first half with San Perlita leading 3-2. The Lady Trojans pulled away behind a solid defensive effort and consistent rebounding from their bigs inside the paint.

Aliyah Garcia and Summer Terry led the way with eight points each. Garcia was a rebounding machine late in the game and started knocking down shots down low. Following an early injury to starter Elyssa Nieto, Terry stepped up her game and drove hard to the basket to get the offense going.

Some of the top girls teams were PSJA High, Edinburg Harvest, McAllen Rowe and McAllen High, which all went 2-0 in pool play and secured spots in the platinum bracket.

Brownsville Hanna and Harlingen High JV faced off at 6:30 for the top seed in Pool A, as did Edinburg Vela and Brownsville Lopez for first in Pool B, and San Perlita and Brownsville Pace for Pool C’s top spot. Los Fresnos and Rio Hondo had an 8 p.m. tipoff for Pool G’s No. 1 seed.

On the boys side, the host Hanna Golden Eagles went 2-0 on Thursday, getting one step closer to securing a spot in the platinum bracket. Hanna defeated Brownsville Jubilee 69-32 then took down Brownsville Porter 63-25.

Ricardo Roman had a huge game to lead Hanna over Porter. He was a force defensively, notching blocks and steals. Roman scored 13 points, leading the offensive production along with Jared Zarate, who knocked down three 3-pointers.

The Golden Eagles played fast and physical, using their size to control the boards and an aggressive defensive effort to keep Porter from finding a rhythm. Adriel Trevino was the engine for the Cowboys, scoring 14 points and competing on defense.

Port Isabel also defeated Jubilee on Thursday, leaning on its speed and athleticism to capture a 64-49 victory. The Tarpons turned in a 2-0 day with a 73-42 victory over Porter. Smith had a big game to anchor the Jubilee victory, knocking down five 3-pointers and scoring 21 points while being disruptive on defense and bringing down rebounds.

Hanna and Port Isabel have a 12:30 p.m. tipoff today at Hanna’s main gym for the top spot in Pool A.

The Brownsville Rivera Raiders defeated Mission Veterans Memorial 57-38, ending the day 2-0 after a 48-46 victory over Edinburg Economedes.

Rivera jumped out to a 20-0 lead behind a stifling defense. The Raiders used a full-court press that gave Mission Veterans fits, leading to violations and turnovers during the first half. Daniel Morales spearheaded the aggressive attack.

Alek Guzman (13 points), Ramsey Rocha (10 points) and Irineo Acevedo (nine points) played well on both ends of the court to aid Rivera’s win. With a commanding lead after the first quarter, the Raiders used a variety of bench players for long stretches. Rafael Smith turned in a solid performance off the bench, scoring six points and playing tough on defense.

Brownsville Pace and Brownsville St. Joseph also picked up a pair of wins Thursday. The Pace Vikings defeated San Benito 66-31, then took down North Mission IDEA 75-48. Brownsville St. Joseph beat North Mission IDEA 75-55 and San Benito 66-45. Pace and the Bloodhounds will face off for Pool C’s No. 1 seed at 12:30 p.m. today at Pace in a battle of two of the East Valley’s top teams.

By CLAIRE CRUZ, Staff Writer

The Brownsville ISD boys and girls basketball tournaments tip off today, and there’s an exciting three days of competition in store as teams from across the Rio Grande Valley participate.

The girls bracket features 24 teams divided into eight pools. Each team will play two pool games today, with contests starting at 8 a.m. and the final slate of games tipping off at 8 p.m. Five courts will be used across Brownsville Hanna and Brownsville Pace high schools.

Teams will play one warmup game early Friday before beginning bracket play. Squads will be split into platinum (top seeds), gold (second seeds) and silver (third seeds) brackets based on pool play results and will each play one bracket game Friday afternoon.

On Saturday, the silver bracket gets the action started at 8 a.m., and the silver bracket championship game is scheduled for 11 a.m. at the Hanna auxiliary. Gold bracket teams will begin at 9:30 a.m., and the championship game will be played at 2 p.m. at Hanna’s “B” gym.

The platinum bracket games start at 11 a.m. Saturday, and the championship contest is scheduled for 2 p.m. at Hanna’s main gym.

Brownsville Hanna, Harlingen High JV and Brownsville Jubilee make up Pool A. Pool B is comprised of Brownsville Lopez, Edinburg Vela and Donna IDEA. Pool C includes Brownsville Pace, San Perlita and Santa Rosa. Port Isabel, Progreso and PSJA High are in Pool D.

Pool E features Brownsville Porter, Rio Hondo and Edinburg Harvest. Brownsville Rivera, Brownsville Veterans Memorial JV and McAllen Rowe will compete in Pool F. Pool G is made up of Brownsville IDEA Riverview, Los Fresnos and Lyford. Brownsville St. Joseph, McAllen High and Mission IDEA are in Pool H.

The boys BISD basketball tournament features 16 teams split into four pools and will follow a similar schedule as the girls.

Pool play for the boys begins at 8 a.m. today, with the final slate of games tipping off at 5 p.m. Two courts each at Hanna and Pace will be utilized. Boys teams will play two pool games today and one Friday before beginning seeded bracket play Friday evening.

Teams will be split into platinum and gold brackets based on pool play. Saturday bracket games begin at 8 a.m. and will be played at Hanna, Porter and Pace.

The gold bracket championship game is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. at the Hanna auxiliary, and the platinum bracket championship game will be played at 3:30 p.m. at Hanna’s main gym.

Brownsville Hanna, Brownsville Jubilee, Port Isabel and Brownsville Porter will compete in Pool A. Pool B is made up of Brownsville Rivera, Edinburg Economedes, PSJA Southwest and Mission Veterans Memorial. Pool C features Brownsville Pace, San Benito, Brownsville St. Joseph and North Mission IDEA. Brownsville Veterans Memorial, McAllen Rowe, Brownsville Lopez and Mission High make up Pool D.

By CLAIRE CRUZ, Staff Writer

The La Feria Lionettes will once again be hosting their annual Tommie Wiseman girls basketball tournament this season.

Though the field is a bit smaller than in years past due to an abundance of competing tournaments, a competitive weekend is still expected. The tournament begins today with pool play starting at 9 a.m. and will finish Friday.

Twelve teams will be competing. La Feria, Alamo IDEA and La Feria JV are in Pool A. Pool B features Sharyland High, Santa Maria and Edinburg Economedes. Donna High, Mission IDEA and PSJA Southwest make up Pool C. Mercedes, PSJA Memorial and Weslaco IDEA are in Pool D.

Each team will play two pool games today. Pools A and B will be in La Feria’s main gym, and Pools C and D will compete in the back gym. Teams will be regrouped into three brackets based on pool play results — third-place teams will be in the silver bracket, second-place teams in the gold bracket and the top seeds in all four pools will go to the platinum bracket.

Friday’s bracket play tips off at 9 a.m. The gold championship game is scheduled for 1:30 p.m., followed by the silver championship game at 3 p.m. and the platinum bracket championship at 4:30 p.m. All championship games will be played in the main gym. Each bracket’s third-place game will be played at the same time in the second gym.