By ANDREW CRUM, Staff Writer

Brownsville Veterans Memorial’s Justin Anaya is on a similar path of his brother, David Anaya.

A few years ago, the elder Anaya was turning heads on the Chargers’ diamond. Now his younger brother is following suit.

And just like David did before, Justin Anaya — who was the top newcomer in District 32-5A — adds another honor for his first varsity season. The sophomore has been named The Brownsville Herald’s All-Metro Baseball Newcomer of the Year.

“It feels great,” Justin Anaya said. “(David’s) in a good place and doing well. I’m glad to follow in his footsteps and he’s taught me a lot … to know that it’s working out, it’s very good.”

David Anaya just finished his freshman season with the NCAA Division I Incarnate Word baseball team. Justin Anaya hopes to continue on a similar path in a few years.

“He had some big shoes to fill with his brother being a Division I player,” Brownsville Veterans coach Albert Rodriguez said. “The success that David had, that’s the challenge he faced, he’s living up to the expectations. I know that he can do better next year and he will … he’s growing as a player.”

This season, Justin Anaya was one of the highlights on a team that wasn’t expected to do as much after losing a talented senior class last year — including David Anaya — that won back-to-back district titles and reached the area round in consecutive seasons.

The Chargers proved the doubters wrong, finishing second in District 32-5A, including an 11-3 mark in district play and earned a postseason berth.

In his varsity season debut, Justin Anaya was 18 of 62 (.290 average) with two doubles, a triple and a home run, 13 RBIs and scored 15 runs, stole 19 bases, drew 12 walks and struck out 10 times. He finished with a .405 on-base percentage, .403 slugging percentage and a .809 OPS. On the mound, Justin Anaya was 2-1 and had three saves with 27 strikeouts in 31 2/3 innings of mostly relief time.

“Justin gave us the confidence that we needed,” Rodriguez said. “He has that ‘X’ factor as far as baseball IQ. He can do everything … he puts pressure on the defense on the bases, he did all that and took charge in the dugout, he was a leader for us this year.”

With Justin Anaya expected to be a bigger influence as one of the team’s leaders next year, Brownsville Veterans hopes to capture another district championship. That’s already been a goal discussed ahead of next season.

“We’re working hard and we’re going to be a young team,” Justin Anaya said. “Hopefully we can step it up and hopefully we can get district (next) year. Hopefully next year we can exceed our goals.”

Rodriguez knows even with a young team next year, with Justin Anaya and some experience coming back next season, they have a chance to meet or exceed their goals.

“(Justin) brings a lot to the program,” Rodriguez said. “He has a passion for the game. He’s been in tough situations and I know he’ll persevere.”

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.

TJ GARCIA | SPECIAL TO THE MONITOR

St. Edward’s University senior catcher Melina Sanchez was the Hilltoppers’ defensive pillar all year long. Sanchez, a 2013 Edinburg North grad, was nearly flawless in field.

She played behind the plate and ranked second on the team in fielding percentage with a .983, making only three errors in 181 chances.

Sanchez was a rock. Not only were mistakes rare, but the kinesiology major recorded 157 putouts and caught 11 runners stealing. In Division II Heartland Conference play, she was even stingier, catching three of five runners who attempted to steal and recording 77 putouts and just 1 error in 19 games played.

When Sanchez wasn’t playing catcher, she was a DP and hit .208 with four doubles and two home runs in 125 at bats. She also garnered 15 walks and picked up 36 total bases.

The former all-area catcher and four-year letter winner got to St. Edwards in Austin via a stellar two-year stint at Temple College, where she earned second team all-conference and academic all-conference honors. Sanchez said her four-year college softball career has been an absolute joy and wishes she could do it all over again.

What’s more, Sanchez said the St. Edwards community and being in Austin were perfect for her.

“Everyone was just supportive. I didn’t play for St. Ed’s all four years, so being a transfer and for the girls to take me in like they did was great,” Sanchez said. “The biggest challenge was the balance between athletics and academics. Academics got a little more serious because the last two years, that’s crunch time. You’re on your way to graduation, and softball isn’t forever, so I had to take my academics more seriously.”

The recent graduate said she believes there’s plenty more college-level softball talent in the RGV. Sanchez said it’s just a matter of whether girls will apply themselves.

“The advice I would give is cliché: just work hard. But it’s so true,” she said. “You’re going to get what you work for. Also, get on a travel ball team and take that seriously, and attend showcase after showcase. Make you’re emailing coaches and putting yourself out there.”

EDINBURG’S TAMEN CAPS OFF STELLAR GOLF CAREER AT ST. EDWARD’S

Jessica Tamen did about everything she could have done for St. Edward’s University golf during her five-year career at the DII Austin school. The Edinburg High grad was named to all-conference teams, she was an all-American scholar, she was named to the President’s Honor Roll, and she was part of a conference all-tournament team.

Tamen, a senior, was also named winner of the Kim Moore Spirit Award from the Women’s Golf Coaches Association in 2013, a national honor bestowed on one DII student-athlete who is a role model for her golf team and has mental toughness in facing challenges. The former Bobcat, who finished sixth at the state tournament in 2012, recorded a career-best 78 average with a low round of 72 this year. She posted two top-10 finishes in nine events in 2017.

The Hilltoppers finished third in the Heartland Conference and qualified for the NCAA DII super regional, where they placed sixth. Tamen and St. Ed’s also made the super regional in 2016, and when she was freshman in 2013, the team finished fourth in the DII NCAA championships.

HARLINGEN SOUTH’S ATKINSON SHINES AT UH-VICTORIA

Harlingen South’s Jacob Atkinson is coming into his own at the University of Houston-Victoria. The sophomore pitcher has made marked improvements over last season. Atkinson, who is listed as a pitcher, went 3-3 this year in 13 appearances for the NAIA Red River Athletic Conference Jaguars, which are coached by former Houston Astros’ great Terry Puhl.

From the mound, the right-handed Atkinson struck out 24 and walked just 16 of the 186 batters he faced in 41 innings pitched. At the plate, Atkinson helped the Jaguars with 28 hits (two home runs) and 13 RBIs while batting .364 in 26 games.

VALLEY VIEW’S JARA GETS RECOGNITION AT WILEY COLLEGE

Second team all-conference sophomore Maximiliano Jara has put together two solid years for Wiley College, a historically black NAIA university in Marshall. A midfielder who started 13 games for the Wiley Wildcats’ soccer team, Jara scored one goal and notched one assist on his way to earning Red River Athletic Conference honors for the 2016-17 season.

As a freshman, the Valley View alum was named to the conference all-tournament team, won the team’s newcomer of the year award and was a conference scholar athlete. The 2016-17 campaign was Wiley’s fourth straight winning season. Wiley and Jara are coached by Demetrio Hernandez, who went to college in Reynosa but has lived in East Texas since the early 1980s. There were 14 RGV players on Wiley’s 21-man 2016-17 roster.

Know an RGV athlete doing well at the collegiate level in any sport? Send us a tip at [email protected].

By MARK MOLINA, Staff Writer

With a senior year full of success and honors on the basketball court, it was only fitting that Pace defensive specialist Crystal Eureste ended her senior year by extending her playing career.

Eureste now will get to hit the basketball court for four more years after signing her scholarship letter to play at Central Christian College of the Bible Tuesday morning at Pace High School.

Upon signing, the senior defensive player said she appreciated her supporting cast and head basketball coach Eddie Lozano.

“It started during the summer where I trained really hard and it was nonstop in the weight room with coach Lozano,” Eureste said. “He pushed me throughout even when I was the only girl during those summer workouts. I’m very excited about this opportunity and I just want to thank God, family and friends who supported me through all this.

“It’s been a tough year to get to where I’m at, but I accomplished it.”

While Eureste had option, she decided that the opportunity to sign with the Moberly, Missouri college was too sweet a deal to pass up.

“I had other offers from out-of-state schools, but I received full scholarship tuition for four years,” Eureste said. “They also offered me a spot right there and then after they saw my video with my highlights. I just thought ‘go for it.’”

Eureste averaged 6.0 points and 3.0 rebounds per game, but was known for her defensive prowess.

She averaged 3.5 steals per game and racked up 48 pass deflections as she was named to the all-defensive team in District 32-5A and was named The Brownsville Herald’s All-Metro Defensive Player of the Year after the season.

Lozano said Eureste’s heart and abilities will serve her well at the next level.

“She was a big part of our team this year and I’m very proud of her,” Lozano said. “Some thing you really can’t coach is effort and she’s going to bring that every day. That translates to her defense and that’s her thing … they’re very lucky to have her.

“With her work ethic and dedication — she’ll definitely succeed next year.”

Eureste now is set to join a solid program in Central Christian, which is a DII college in the National Christian College Athletic Association.

The Saints play in the Midwest Christian College Conference and are coming off a 14-16 record during the 2016-17 season.

They made the finals of their conference tournament and the second round of the NCCAA DII Southwest Region Tournament.

While Eureste has the nerves and jitters that come with a big step, she knows it’s part of the process.

“It’s going to be different going from Texas to Missouri and the techniques will be different,” Eureste said. “I will miss a lot of people and it’s not the same. I do have nerves, but we all start somewhere.”

Adam Lopez can look forward to a bright future on and off the basketball court.

The standout 6-foot-5 basketball player — soon to officially become a 2017 Hanna graduate later this week at his school’s commencement exercises — on Monday signed an athletic scholarship agreement to play next school year for the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor in Belton. The Crusaders play in NCAA Division III.

There were family members, classmates, coaches, teachers and other Brownsville ISD personnel on hand to witness the signing at Hanna’s performance arts auditorium.

“This is a fresh start for me as a (college) freshman,” said Lopez, who ranks in the top 5 percent of his class academically (29th of 564) and plans to pursue a physical therapy degree in college. “This is becoming a freshman all over again just like in high school and starting basketball again (in a new program) as well.

“My mindset for basketball (at the next level) is to gain some weight and learn their program and find out what they have in store for me,” he added. “I just want to make sure that I find my place.”

A two-year starter, mostly as a post player, Lopez averaged 15 points and six rebounds per game as a senior for the 20-14 Golden Eagles. He earned all-district and All-Metro honors while being selected to play in the Rio Grande Valley All-Star Senior Showcase.

Lopez is grateful for the time he spent playing basketball in high school.

“It’s been a blessing,” he said. “Hanna has its reputation (as a strong basketball program) and I love playing for this school. I’ve tried to lead my team and be one of the top seniors for the underclassmen. I think I was able to do a pretty good job offensively my senior season.”

Lopez becomes the first player to sign a college scholarship for Hanna coach Fermin Lucio, who just completed his initial season of guiding the Eagles. He said Lopez has all the tools necessary, both athletically and academically, to do well in college.

“I just feel lucky to be able to coach a player like Adam,” Lucio said. “It was so easy to promote a young man like him (to colleges) — not only because of what he can do on the court, but also his production in the class room.

“I hope he’s the first of many from our program (to play at the next level),” Lucio added. “He’ll be a constant reminder (for those who come after him) of what to do to get there.”

The Hanna coach said he was especially impressed by Lopez’s ability as a tall player to score from the outside as well as from the inside.

“Adam is a versatile player,” he said. “He probably has one of the best jump shots you’ll see for a 6-5 player, which is really what made him easy to promote (to recruiters). He can do it inside and outside, and obviously with his height, he was a great defensive player and led us in rebounding. Hopefully at the next level, those talents he has will allow him to get some playing time and have some success.

“Because of Adam, the players coming up from our feeder schools to our program can know what it takes on the court and more importantly in the class room (to play in college),” Lucio added.

Lopez said he owes a debt of gratitude to all those around him.

“I thank everyone for their support — (particularly) my family, my teammates and my coaches,” he said.

Roy Hess covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @HessRgehess

TJ GARCIA | SPECIAL TO THE MONITOR

Huston-Tillotson University is a small NAIA school in east Austin, just a stone’s throw east of Interstate 35 near the Colorado River and about 300 miles north of the Rio Grande Valley.

For Valley softball players who have flocked there in droves, it might as well be next door.

Huston-Tillotson, a historically black school, has become a magnet for Valley softball players as of late. This year, at least nine of the Lady Rams’ 17 players are Valley natives. Edinburg, Pharr, San Juan, Los Fresnos and San Benito all have players on Huston-Tillotson’s roster.

Hispanic players are common on collegiate softball rosters throughout Texas, and recently RGV girls have been quite successful at making the rosters of junior colleges and smaller universities. Several Valley athletes signed to schools at that level this year.

But to dominate a roster like Huston-Tillotson is unusual. Fourth-year HT coach Roxanne Rodriguez is recruiting the RGV like no other. Rodriguez, an Edinburg native who played at Economedes High and later at HT, has said that RGV talent is often overlooked. She enjoys giving girls from the area a chance to excel, said area high school coaches.

The Lady Rams, who play in the NAIA Red River Conference against teams such as University of Houston-Victoria and Jarvis Christian, were spearheaded this season by Edinburg High’s Victoria De Leon and Gina Garza.

De Leon, a junior third baseman, hit .421 and led the 20-21 (16-10 in conference) Lady Rams in hits (56) doubles (16), triples (three) and runs scored (40). Garza, a sophomore shortstop, also did well, hitting .377 with 28 runs, 52 hits and 25 RBIs. Los Fresnos’ Zoe Castillo, a senior, batted .352 with 37 hits and 21 RBIs — fourth best on the team.

Former PSJA Memorial star Amanda Aguilera was Huston-Tillotson’s pitching workhorse. The freshman started 21 of the Lady Rams’ 41 games and finished with a 12-10 record. Aguilera, voted the team’s newcomer of the year, also batted .333 and led the team in RBIs with 27.

Also playing major roles on the team were PSJA North alum and senior pitcher/outfielder Cynthia Martinez, former Edinburg Vela SaberCat and sophomore outfielder Audrey Aguirre, and PSJA High alum and freshman catcher Jennifer Lopez.

ANGUIANO FINISHES SCHREINER CAREER ON HIGH NOTE

Former Sharyland High tennis stud Camila Anguiano was chosen as an Honorable Mention All-Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference selection for her performance this spring for NCAA Division III Schreiner University in Kerrville. The senior also was also named First Team All-SCAC in 2014 and 2015 and was the only Mountaineers women’s tennis player to make the list this year.

In 2017, Anguiano had a 5-5 record in singles play, and in doubles competition the Villahermosa, Mexico native notched a 7-5 mark with doubles partner Kara Miller as the Mountaineers’ top duo. Anguiano recorded a career singles mark of 36-20 and went 44-25 in doubles. Academically, she made the Schreiner President’s list (above 3.75 GPA in a semester) three times.

SANCHEZ HELPS TEXAS SOUTHERN TO LEAGUE CROWN

Texas Southern outfielder and PSJA High alum Christian Sanchez had the game of a lifetime in a recent Southwestern Athletic Conference tournament win over Jackson State. He went 3 for 5 at the plate with two homers and five RBIs in addition to stealing two bases. His second homer was a game-winning, two-run blast in bottom of the 10th inning that gave the Tigers an 8-6 victory.

The win contributed to TSU’s four-game, title-winning run in the conference tourney and qualified the Tigers for an NCAA regional birth. TSU is only 18-32 on the year but claimed the SWAC crown. The 6-foot-1 outfielder and 2015 PSJA grad has hit .281 in 40 games started and is among the offensive leaders for Texas Southern, a Division I historically black institution in Houston.

The sophomore also has just four errors in 100 chances in the field for a .960 fielding percentage.

GARZA COMPLETES CAREER WITH HOUSTON COUGARS

Rio Grande City’s Alex Garza, a high school shot put state champion in 2010 and 2012, completed his senior year with the University of Houston Cougars this spring. This season, Garza’s highlights included a second-place finish at the esteemed Penn Relays and a sixth-place finish at the American Athletic Conference championships.

While the sports management major did not advance past conference this year, as a junior in 2016, he took third in the AAC outdoor conference meet and made the NCAA regionals, finishing 10th. The 6-foot-4 thrower spent his first two college years at Coffeyville Community College in Kansas, where he set shot put records.

Know an RGV athlete doing well at the collegiate level in any sport? Send us a tip at [email protected].

STAFF REPORTS

Five state qualifiers are among the nominees for Boys Swimmer of the Year and Girls Swimmer of the Year.

The winners will be announced at the 2017 All-Valley Sports Awards Banquet on June 10 at Mario’s Banquet & Conference Center in Mission.

Former San Antonio Spurs forward Robert Horry will be the keynote speaker.

The nominees for Boys Swimmer of the Year:

>> Shaine Casas, McAllen High: Casas, a junior, had another outstanding season in the pool, repeating as a district and regional champion. At the UIL Class 6A state meet, Casas earned silver medals in the 200-yard IM with a final heat 1:47.59 and in the 100-yard butterfly with a time of 47.88.

>> Trevor Heath, Sharyland Pioneer: This season was a strong debut for Heath, a Diamondbacks freshman. In his first district meet, he helped Pioneer to its first boys district championship in program history, earning two gold medals. He swam a 2:16.46 in the 200 IM and a 5:21.67 in the 500 freestyle.

>> Luis Osuna, Los Fresnos: Osuna, a sophomore won the 500 freestyle at the District 32-6A meet and took second at the Region VIII-6A meet to earn his first trip to the UIL state meet. Osuna is known as a diligent athlete who works unceasingly. He routinely swims between 9,000 and 10,000 yards during his practice sessions.

The nominees for Girls Swimmer of the Year:

>> Hannah Bradford, McAllen Memorial: Bradford earned three gold medals at the District 30-6A meet and then another three during the Region VIII-6A meet. Her golden times were 2:13.40 for the 200 IM and 1:08.28 in the 100 backstroke. She also won district gold alongside her sister, LiLi, in the 400 relay.

>> Maya Athena Imperial, Brownsville Hanna: Imperial, a senior, advanced to the state meet for the third time in 2017. Her premier events were the 500 freestyle and 200 IM, plus relay events. She won those events in District 32-6A and took second in them at the Region VIII-6A meet to earn a return trip to state. In April, she signed to swim for Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania.

>> Ina Te, McAllen Rowe: Te has been a force in the pool at Rowe for four seasons and put an exclamation point on her career at the Region VIII-6A meet. Te won gold at regionals in both the 50 and 100 freestyles with times of 25.00 and 55.38, respectively. She was also the anchor to both of Rowe’s gold medal-winning relay teams at the regional meet.

The Banquet, hosted by RGVSports.com and AIM Media Texas in conjunction with the RGV Sports Hall of Fame, will see 33 awards presented to standout athletes, coaches and teams across all 12 UIL sports. The highly prestigious Tom Landry Award of Excellence will honor a student-athlete for outstanding achievements on and off the field.

The Monitor, Valley Morning Star, The Brownsville Herald, Mid-Valley Town Crier and RGV Sports Hall of Fame will vote to determine the winners in the sports categories. While The Monitor, the Star and the Herald have previously named their All-Area teams in certain sports, the All-Valley Sports Awards Banquet will recognize the very best across all three coverage areas.

Tickets for the catered banquet, which will run 6 to 8 p.m., are available through each newspaper’s website at a cost of $40 per person. Sponsorship opportunities are still available. For more information, contact Marcia Kitten at 956-683-4463.

Horry won seven NBA Championships and earned the moniker “Big Shot Rob” for clutch performances during his 16-year NBA career that included stints with the Spurs, Houston Rockets, Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Lakers.

By ROY HESS, Staff Writer

Tanya Prazelini’s senior season of soccer with the Los Fresnos Lady Falcons was one for the record books.

The Brownsville Herald’s 2017 All-Metro MVP scored 68 goals, which stands as the highest single-season total for a female high school player in the Rio Grande Valley.

The all-time single-season Valley record of 78 goals, which also is believed to be a state record, was set by Valley View’s Jose Angel “Torito” Soto in 2014.

Prazelini scored two or more goals in virtually every game in 2017 as the Lady Falcons won District 32-6A with a 14-0 record and completed the year 27-3 by reaching the regional tournament for the sixth time in eight seasons.

“I’m so happy how everything has turned out, especially after my injuries,” said Prazelini, who was the 32-6A MVP this season as well.

Prazelini came back to play this season after suffering serious injuries to her ankle and wrist as a sophomore in the third round of the 2015 state playoffs. She didn’t play as a junior, but returned to the Lady Falcons for a record-setting season as a senior.

“I never really expected to have this kind of season,” Prazelini said. “I thought I could maybe have a repeat of my (standout) sophomore season, but it turned out to be even better than that. I’m blessed, honestly.”

Also a participant in track, Prazelini said sitting out her junior season of soccer was difficult, but it was the right decision.

“It was hard during the waiting time (of recuperation), but I knew waiting was what I needed to do because I couldn’t rush things,” Prazelini said. “I didn’t want to rush it and get hurt again. I had to wait for the right time (to come back).”

Los Fresnos coach Patricia K. Hernandez has been there to watch Prazelini play since she was a starter as a freshman and was pleased to witness the senior forward’s remarkable return.

“Tanya is a fearless player,” Hernandez said. “It was amazing to watch her come back and pick up where she left off her sophomore season. She set a team and personal goal (to do well), and she succeeded at both.

“I’ve been fortunate to be part of Tanya’s high school soccer career and I know that she will make great things happen at Texas Lutheran University,” Hernandez added. “I know that this (dream of playing in college) is something she has been working hard for since her very first day as a Lady Falcon varsity soccer player.”

Becoming an All-Metro and all-district MVP provides an ideal ending to the standout senior’s high school athletic career, and there may be even more to come. She is also one of three candidates for All-Valley girls player of the year, an award to be announced in June.

“(By scoring 68 goals) I feel I’ve raised the standard higher for girls soccer in the Valley so girls can still get noticed by the colleges north of us,” Prazelini said. “When I started as a freshman my (personal) goal was to become an MVP. One of those years I knew I had to get MVP. I’m so happy it has happened my senior year because it’s a good way to end my time in high school and move on to college.

“It’s all because of my teammates,” she added. “They’ve given me the passes (to set up and score goals) and they’ve supported me through thick and thin. I’ve learned God puts obstacles in your way sometimes so that you can come back stronger.”

Roy Hess covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @HessRgehess

Brownsville Herald’s 2017 Girls All-Metro Soccer Team
MVP
Tanya Prazelini, Los Fresnos
Defensive Player of the Year
Michell Salinas, Lopez
Utility Player of the Year
Lizbeth Garcia, Porter
Newcomer of the Year
Ashley Torres, Rivera
Coach of the Year
Peter A. Rodriguez, Rivera

First Team
Forwards — Kryssie Rivera, Pace; Carla Gracia, Lopez
Midfielders — Clarissa “Claire” Castaneda, Los Fresnos; Gabby X. Mariscal, Los Fresnos; Alma Perez, Pace; Kathryn Bodden, Brownsville Veterans Memorial
Defenders — Victoria “Tori” Morales, Brownsville Veterans Memorial; Hillary Pina, Hanna; Rubi Soto, Los Fresnos; Allison Spier, Los Fresnos
Goalkeeper — Anna Morales, Lopez

Second Team
Forwards — Priscila Cortinas, Porter; Samantha Bodden, Brownsville Veterans Memorial
Midfielders — Alyssa Ayala, Rivera; Sytlaly Loyde, Hanna; Jennifer Martinez, Port Isabel; Jaky Olivares, Lopez
Defenders — Alexa Gutierrez, Los Fresnos; Viridiana Diaz, Rivera; Alexis Guajardo, Pace; Quetzali Cortez, Porter
Goalkeeper — Abigail Mata, Hanna

By ROY HESS, Staff Writer

A remarkable turnaround season in girls soccer has earned All-Metro recognition for the Rivera Lady Raiders.

The Brownsville Herald’s 2017 All-Metro girls team includes Rivera’s Peter A. Rodriguez as Coach of the Year and Ashley Torres as Newcomer of the Year.

In his first season as the Lady Raiders’ head coach, Rodriguez guided Rivera back to the playoffs following a frustrating 0-14 showing in District 32-6A just a year earlier. The Lady Raiders went 11-10-2 overall in 2017, including a 9-5 finish in 32-6A to tie for third place with Hanna.

Torres, a junior forward/attacking midfielder, was an important contributor to the Rivera girls’ success during her first season on the varsity squad. She finished with six goals in six games along with five assists.

Torres’ best goals came at the most opportune times for her team in the playoffs as she scored the second, go-ahead goal in a 3-1 upset of District 31-6A champion Edinburg Economedes in bi-district and then tallied the game-tying goal in a 2-1 area-round victory against Eagle Pass.

The Lady Raiders advanced to the third round of the playoffs this season for the first time before falling 2-0 to 32-6A champion Los Fresnos. They came within one victory of making their first trip to the regional tournament after their last-place district finish of 2016.

Starting in the offseason, Rodriguez’s message to the Lady Raiders was one of believing in themselves, giving their best effort and making it a priority to attend practice every day.

“I talked to them about commitment and also about just focusing on our team and our better qualities rather than (comparing ourselves to) the other teams,” he said. “So effort was a big part of why the team did well. The girls showed commitment, and through that, the effort (they gave enabled them) to play better as the season progressed.”

The Lady Raiders didn’t start off the 2017 season by winning all that much, but by the time 32-6A competition began, things started coming together. They went 8-6 in district and that mark became 9-5 after a forfeit win by Harlingen High.

“It was pretty tough at the beginning of the season, but we managed to come up,” Torres said. “Our coach was always making sure we were there in practice. I was new to the team, but I was aware of the tough background of last season.

“Last year made us want to show everybody what we were (really) made of,” she added. “It made me want to show what I could do. It was such a great feeling (to score those goals). Everything I did was for the team. It was good to put ourselves out there and show that we were going somewhere. We all pushed each other and we made it (happen).”

Receiving her All-Metro newcomer award was great news, Torres said.

“I was very excited to hear I had been nominated for it,” she said. “It means a lot to me. I feel pretty honored to get it.”

Torres said a big reason for the team’s turnaround was Rodriguez.

“He picked us up and believed in us,” she said. “He got us to believe in ourselves and got us on top (and back into the playoffs). Even outside of practice he talked to us to see if we were good or we needed something. Our coach did a really good job.”

Having the girls give a complete effort and play as a team were important keys to Rivera’s success this season, Rodriguez said.

“I wanted girls who would go out there and give their best,” he said. “I always told them I didn’t want the girls who were the best on the field, I wanted the girls who would give me 100 percent all the time, and that’s what happened. Towards the end of the season I had the best 11 out there who were the most committed to the team. That (total commitment) was something I tried to tell the girls (about) every day at every practice.

“I knew that if I wasn’t going to be committed (like I was asking of them), it wasn’t going to work out,” Rodriguez added. “Our offseason was one of rebuilding (attitudes). I tried to be there and help their self-esteem and team chemistry. Getting them motivated was definitely a big part of our season. (When it started happening) the winning wasn’t all that surprising to me because I knew the girls had it in them. Maybe the other teams were more surprised (to see us win) than I was.”

Virtually the same team is expected to return for the Lady Raiders next season. The only key starter graduating is defensive midfielder Viridiana Diaz.

“We’re super hyped about next year,” Torres said. “We’re going to work really hard and make it to the top.”

Roy Hess covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @HessRgehess

STAFF REPORTS

The Valley’s best girls golfers wrapped up their season on Tuesday at the UIL state meet, while the top boys golfers are looking ahead to state competition next week. Regardless of how the seasons play out, six of the area’s best are nominated to earn some extra hardware next month in the form of the All-Valley Boys Golfer of the Year and All-Valley Girls Golfer of the Year awards.

The winners will be announced at the 2017 All-Valley Sports Awards Banquet on June 10 at Mario’s Banquet & Conference Center in Mission.

Former San Antonio Spurs forward Robert Horry will be the keynote speaker.

The nominees for Girls Golfer of the Year:

>> Julie Lucio, Brownsville Veterans: Lucio repeated as a District 32-5A individual medalist in 2017 and won the Region IV-5A Tournament in San Antonio by shooting a two-day total of 1-under-par 143. She sparked the Brownsville Veterans girls to the regional team title and made history by leading the Lady Chargers to state for the first time in golf program history. Lucio led all Valley girls with a 70.33 stroke average. She won individual medals in her first nine tournaments this season, including the regional tournament, before shooting a two-day total of 161 at state to finish tied for 13th.

>> Isabel Prado, La Feria: The senior, who committed to play golf at Marymount California University, had a monster year. After a solid regular season, she won gold at the District 32-4A tournament and then followed that performance with a bronze medal at regionals to earn a trip to the Class 4A state meet, where she finished 17th.

>> Laura Rodriguez, Sharyland High: Rodriguez was the second-best golfer in the Valley with an average of 74.93. At the District 31-5A Invitational, Rodriguez came in first overall with a score of 149. She helped her team qualify for state at the regional tournament with a 152, then shot a 154 at state to finish eighth — the best finish of any Valley participant.

The nominees for Boys Golfer of the Year:

>> James Alfaro, Raymondville: The senior was a force for the Bearkats golf team, winning the District 32-4A title and then taking silver at the Region IV-4A tournament to advance to state for the second time.

>> Santiago Garcia, Brownsville Hanna: Garcia won the District 32-6A individual title for the third straight time in 2017 and returned to the Region IV-6A Tournament in San Antonio. Garcia had the second-best stroke average in the Valley this year with a 72.75.

>> Jimmy Lee, Sharyland High: The sophomore led the Valley all year with an average score of 69.73. He won every tournament he played during the regular season, except the Border Olympics. At the District 31-5A Invitational, Lee won by 19 strokes and easily led his team to a district title. At the regional tournament, he came in second, four strokes shy of the winner, who set a course record. Lee was the region’s top individual qualifier for state in Class 5A.

The Banquet, hosted by RGVSports.com and AIM Media Texas in conjunction with the RGV Sports Hall of Fame, will see 33 awards presented to standout athletes, coaches and teams across all 12 UIL sports. The highly prestigious Tom Landry Award of Excellence will honor a student-athlete for outstanding achievements on and off the field.

The Monitor, Valley Morning Star, The Brownsville Herald, Mid-Valley Town Crier and RGV Sports Hall of Fame will vote to determine the winners in the sports categories. While The Monitor, the Star and the Herald have previously named their All-Area teams in certain sports, the All-Valley Sports Awards Banquet will recognize the very best across all three coverage areas.

Tickets for the catered banquet, which will run 6 to 8 p.m., are available through each newspaper’s website at a cost of $40 per person. Sponsorship opportunities are still available. For more information, contact Marcia Kitten at 956-683-4463.

Horry won seven NBA Championships and earned the moniker “Big Shot Rob” for clutch performances during his 16-year NBA career that included stints with the Spurs, Houston Rockets, Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Lakers.

By ROY HESS, Staff Writer

Moving on to play college soccer is a natural progression for standout Lopez defender Michell Salinas.

A four-year starter and key member of three district championship teams for the Lady Lobos in 2014, 2016 and 2017, Salinas signed a college scholarship agreement Thursday at Lopez to play next school year for Texas A&M International University in Laredo.

At TAMIU she will be reunited with former Lopez teammate Samantha Ruiz, a talented midfielder who graduated a year ago and was the 2016 All-Metro girls MVP.

“I’m very excited about this day and I appreciate all the chances (Lopez) Coach (Alex) Macias gave me to play since I was a freshman,” said Salinas, who was named all-district defensive MVP after her junior and senior seasons besides receiving All-Metro honors. “He kept giving me chances (to play) all the way through my senior year, it got me up to where I am now and it’s paying off.

“I already know one of the girls over there (at TAMIU in Ruiz), so I know I won’t be alone,” Salinas added. “I can always count on Sam for anything.”

Salinas, who plans to pursue an elementary education major at TAMIU, signed her college scholarship agreement in front of family, classmates, coaches and other Brownsville ISD personnel.

Macias said having Salinas at sweeper for four years always made him feel at ease about the Lady Lobos’ defense. He said she certainly will be missed.

“I always felt confident going on the field with Michell back there (anchoring the defense),” the Lady Lobos coach said. “With her experience, you felt good about the team. Her leadership out there really did help the confidence of the girls. Her chemistry with the team brought the girls together.

“I think Michell is prepared (to play in college),” he added. “I played in college, so I know what the coaches there expect and what they want. She’s ready, she’s willing and I think she’s going to be a success.”

Salinas thanked her coaches and teammates, and in particular, her parents Miguel and Maria Salinas.

“I think it will be hard and challenging to play in college, but it’s going to be a great experience,” she said. “I’d like to thank my parents for their support through all my years of playing soccer.”