HARLINGEN — Former heavyweight world title challenger Eric “The Drummer Boy” Molina went into the 10th round against Tomasz Adamek down big on all of the judges’ cards, only a finish would do despite the fight being slated for 12 rounds.

Adamek, a former world champion in two weight classes and regarded as one of the best pound-for-pound Polish fighters of all time, also had the backing of Tauron Arena in Krakow, Poland — the venue for the April 2, 2016, fight between Molina and Adamek.

Molina silenced the Polish crowd after flooring Adamek during the closing seconds of the 10th round to win the vacant IBF intercontinental heavyweight title and an eventual IBF heavyweight title fight.

Molina, along with Robert Campos, Raul Casarez, Tom Lindsey, Mario Davila and Omar Figueroa Sr., will be inducted into the Rio Grande Valley Boxing Hall of Fame at 5 p.m. Friday at the Harlingen Convention Center with a special guest, Evander Holyfield, the former undisputed cruiserweight and heavyweight champion, taking part in the ceremony.

Molina’s 17-year boxing career ended in March after a trip to Montreal, Canada. Molina knew going into the fight it was his last and a month or two after, the RGV Boxing Hall of Fame came knocking.

“Of course it was an honor to accept the nomination and be a part of the event,” Molina said. “It means a lot to me. We are getting ready for that this Friday, and I am just really honored and humble to be a part of it.”

He was proud of how he left things. Molina shared the ring with some of heavyweight boxing’s greatest talents of this generation — the main two being Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder.

Molina said times were tough, and he was in a very dark place after the loss to Wilder. Molina rebounded afterward with a win in the Valley and the knockout in Krakow.

“That was definitely the highlight of my career,” Molina said. “That is where I began to frame the term, ‘the art of bouncing back,’ it was just in my entire career. I started off going 0-1 in my career, bounced back. I’d lose another one and people will write you off. I just bounced back every single time.

“So, just knowing that I can do that, and I did that after the Wilder fight and I challenged for my second heavyweight title, that was the most special moment for me,” Molina added.

Molina did not have an amateur career and, after starting 0-1, rattled off 18 straight wins. He ended his career with a 29-9 record.

The inductees and other local professional fighters will be signing autographs before the banquet begins. Tickets, tables and information are available by calling (956) 536-5287.

LOS FRESNOS — PSJA High wanted to redeem itself from last year’s defeats to start the season. In 2022, the Bears lost to Los Fresnos and then Sharyland High in a tri-match at Los Fresnos High.

PSJA High returned in 2023 a different team. The Bears swept both Los Fresnos and Harlingen South on Tuesday at Los Fresnos High School.

“I told the girls we need to start this season off strong,” PSJA High head coach Caroline Cuellar said after the victory against Los Fresnos. “I am glad we started a good note with the sweep.”

The Bears defeated the Falcons 25-17, 25-15, 25-12 in the first match of the afternoon.

PSJA High’s Johanna Montelongo and Juliana Guajardo both finished with 13 kills, and Mia Dominguez chipped in with nine. The Bears’ defense stood strong against the Falcons’ powerful hitter, Shiloh Jones, but the senior did have some kills assisted by Jenna Rios, especially during the second set.

Rios and Jones were brilliant during a 7-0 run late in the second set while Rios served. The Falcons cut a 12-point lead to five, but the Bears closed out the set.

“Our defense and blockers kept adjusting,” Cuellar said. “The first set we were still adjusting to (Jones), but the second set we started taking away the line and so forth. We were able to contain her, not stop her, but contain.”

As good as the Bears looked against the Falcons, a perennial playoff team out of District 32-6A, they struggled a bit during the opening set against District 32-5A playoff hopeful Harlingen South.

The Hawks were down just 14-13 against the defending District 31-6A champs, but it was all Bears after that. PSJA High went on to win the set 25-18 against the energetic Hawks. The Bears were nearly perfect in the second, winning 25-1, and then took the third 25-13.

“I am really proud of the team,” said Montelongo, the Bears’ captain, said. “We came in here with a game plan, and I think we executed it very well. We wanted to come in with strong serves. We have worked on that, spot serving, attacking the seams. I think we all work together really well.”

Los Fresnos swept Harlingen South to close out the day.

PSJA High, Harlingen South and Los Fresnos are set to be in tournament action beginning Thursday and return to non-district play next Tuesday.

EDITOR’S NOTE: RGVSports.com’s coverage ranges from Brownsville to Roma. The All-Valley team members are selected by sports writers from AIM Media’s three newspapers – The Brownsville Herald, The Monitor and Valley Morning Star.

Arlette Hernandez, La Joya

Emily Delgado, San Benito

Amira Rodriguez, San Benito

Bethany Aguilar, San Benito

Denzelle Saenz, Rio Grande City

Zel Camacho, Mercedes

JoJo Montes, San Benito

Lilly Rocha, Harlingen High

Lexie Escamilla, Weslaco High

Lola Reyes, Weslaco High

Elyssa Ruvio, San Benito

Dakota Martinez, Los Fresnos

Trinity Villalobos, Lyford

Shelby Celedon, Edinburg High

Ari Alaniz, La Joya Palmview

Reaghan Staehely, Sharyland Pioneer

Jaisy Caceres, Weslaco East

Zelinda Camacho, Mercedes

Offensive Player of the Year

Mercedes’ Zelinda Camacho went deep nine times this season in the heart of the Tigers’ lineup. Camacho helped the Tigers win a District 32-5A title and earn a trip to the fourth round of the playoffs with her bat.

Camacho is The Monitor’s 2023 All-Area Softball Offensive Player of the Year.

“Just knowing that I could help out offensively and defensively really put me at ease,” Camacho said. “And, knowing that the girls had my back. If I was struggling, there was always someone else who can pick me up.”

Camacho finished with a team-leading .576 batting average on 49 hits. She drove in 39 runs and walked 22 times, including five times against Gregory-Portland in the area round of the playoffs.

“The girls seeing me get intentionally walked, helped them,” Camacho said. “They had to step up and take on that role because they saw the other team was not letting me hit.”

Camacho also hit 19 doubles and only struck out five times. The Mercedes senior also won 17 games for the Tigers in the circle with a 1.73 ERA.

Denzelle Saenz, Rio Grande City

Defensive Player of the Year

Defense wins championships, a third straight district title actually.

Rio Grande City won its third straight softball district title with junior Denzelle Saenz being a key player on the defensive side of the diamond for the Rattlers.

Saenz is The Monitor’s 2023 All-Area Softball Defensive Player of the Year.

“I just had to show up and pitch the way I do to win some of these games,” Saenz said.

Saenz won 15 games for the Rattlers, posting a 2.02 ERA, and held it down at third base while freshman Jorja Fuentes pitched. Rio Grande City only gave up eight runs in 14 games of District 30-5A play.

“We all work at practice, so it just feels good to be able to go out there and win,” Saenz said.

Saenz is excited about having another season, going for a fourth straight district title and another chance at a deep playoff run after losing in the bi-district round in 2023.

Madelynn Cantu, Weslaco High

Newcomer of the Year

Weslaco High was expected to have a dropoff after losing key players the season before, but the young players stepped up and delivered.

Madelynn Cantu, a freshman, was immense for the Panthers this season and emerged as the ace on a team that finished second in District 32-6A and went three rounds deep in the playoffs.

Cantu is The Monitor’s 2023 All-Area Softball Newcomer of the Year.

“It was exciting,” Cantu said about her first year of varsity. “But, I could not have done this without my team. They had my back a lot and provided me with run support.”

Cantu was fantastic in the playoffs, especially against San Antonio O’Connor, when she pitched 10 innings in Game 3. The Panthers had only one senior on their 2023 softball team.

“I just hope to get better, so I can help them more,” Cantu said.

Kristy Leal, Mercedes

Coach of the Year

Kristy Leal continued the tradition of excellence at Mercedes after inheriting a solid program six years ago.

Leal took the program to great heights this season to finish her time as the head coach of Mercedes with a 30-win season, a third straight District 32-5A title and a trip to the Class 5A regional semis.

Leal is The Monitor’s 2023 All-Area Softball Coach of the Year.

The six-year Mercedes coach said the hardest part about coaching this team was filling out the lineup on Tuesday and Friday.

“We had a great run,” Leal said. “We had awesome leadership this year and a great coaching staff that pushed our kids to do well. Every single day we pushed them to excellence, we knew they were capable of excellence and that is what they did — they had a great run. They went to the fourth round and got what they deserved and earned.”

Leal thanked Mercedes for the memories and opportunity while coaching the Tigers. Leal will not be coaching Mercedes next season but has not moved to another program.

All-Area Team

Lexie Escamilla, Weslaco High; Lola Reyes, Weslaco High; Mia Rodriguez, Weslaco High; Kristianna Luera, PSJA North; Hailey Garza, PSJA North; Jaisy Caceres, Weslaco East; Ambrosia Pena, Weslaco East; Klarissa Rizzo, Mercedes; Ashley De Leon, Mercedes; Mickey Castillo, Mission Veterans; Ari Alaniz, La Joya Palmview; Giada Farias, McAllen High; Reaghan Staehely, Sharyland Pioneer; Alondra Rodriguez, Sharyland Pioneer; Shelby Celedon, Edinburg High; Arie Hernandez, PSJA High; Alayali Alaniz, La Joya High; Anabella Ramirez, Rio Grande City; Katya Cantu, McAllen Rowe; Josmari Ortiz, Roma;

Dakota Martinez, Los Fresnos

Offensive Player of the Year

The ball sailed off the bat of Los Fresnos’ Dakota Martinez this season.

Martinez smashed 22 home runs for a Falcons team that finished third in District 32-6A and won a bi-district playoff game.

Martinez is The Brownsville Herald/Valley Morning Star 2023 All-Area Softball Offensive Player of the Year.

“I think it was a blessing to get all of this strength — to continue to be able to play softball and develop my skills,” Martinez said.

Martinez drove in 70 runs to go with her 22 home runs. Martinez finished the season with a .608 batting average on 59 hits. Martinez was a multi-sport athlete at Los Fresnos and will continue her softball career at Texas A&M Kingsville.

“I am going to miss playing high school sports a lot,” Martinez said.

Amira Rodriguez, San Benito

Defensive Player of the Year

San Benito’s Amira Rodriguez was one of the most talented all-around players in the RGV this season.

The sophomore shortstop and pitcher was a monster at the plate, but also emerged as one of the best pitchers and fielders in the Valley.

Rodriguez is The Brownsville Herald/Valley Morning Star 2023 All-Area Softball Defensive Player of the Year.

Rodriguez created a one-two punch with Emily Delgado in the circle. Rodriguez, Delgado and Bethany Aguilar shared the District 32-6A MVP award, and Rodriguez was also an honorable mention pitcher on the TSWA’s All-State team.

Rodriguez has glaring arm strength and went on to win 16 games, including important games deep in the playoffs.

“My first game back I was pretty nervous,” Rodriguez said. “But I just slowly got over it, and just went in there to try and do my job.”

Rodriguez struck out more than 140 batters this season and picked up 16 wins while also playing a key role defensively at shortstop on one of the best teams in the state.

“I know I can get better,” Rodriguez said. “Two years is pretty long. I know I can grow in pitching, hitting and defense.”

Frei Pizarro, Rio Hondo

Newcomer of the Year

Rio Hondo’s Frei Pizarro had a breakout season as a freshman for the Bobcats.

Pizarro statistically was the best player for the Bobcats. She batted .636, hit seven home runs and won 10 games in the circle for Rio Hondo in 2023.

Pizarro is The Brownsville Herald/Valley Morning Star All-Area Softball Newcomer of the Year.

“It was a good season. I really liked it and my teammates a lot,” Pizarro said about her first year of varsity softball. “The season was not the outcome we wanted. We should have made it further in the playoffs, but I think we all played hard and tried our best.”

Pizarro and the Bobcats were eliminated in the second round by Hebbronville.

Pizarro is a multi-sport athlete at Rio Hondo. The underclassman is a state qualifier in powerlifting with a 395-pound deadlift and 320-pound squat at state during the middle of softball season.

Elias Martinez, San Benito

Coach of the Year

San Benito head softball coach Elias Martinez’s resumé and legacy continues to grow.

Martinez took another Greyhounds team to the state tournament this season, the third trip of his career. They were a constant presence near the top of polls this season, as they won 40 games and the Region IV-6A championship and various other titles from the playoffs and District 32-6A.

Martinez is The Brownsville Herald/Valley Morning Star 2023 All-Area Softball Coach of the Year.

“We had a great season from where we started to where we finished,” Martinez said. “A lot of people were surprised with a lot of the things that we accomplished this year, but San Benito Lady ‘Hounds softball always strives to be the best.”

Martinez said the motto at San Benito is to always be the last team standing in the Valley.

“We are so proud of our girls and of our community that was always there for us,” Martinez said. “When we went to the state tournament the whole Valley was there rooting for us, it was phenomenal. Again, it is a complement to our girls that put in the work; because of that and being very coachable, that is why we were able to get to where we were at.”

Martinez was inducted into the Rio Grande Valley Sports Hall of Fame this past summer.

All-Area Team

JoJo Montes, San Benito; Elyssa Ruvio, San Benito; Bethany Aguilar, San Benito; Kate Perez, Los Fresnos; Ella Sulkazi, Los Fresnos; Tania Rodriguez, Los Fresnos; Madison Vargas, Harlingen High; Lilly Rocha, Harlingen High; Athena Linnartz, Harlingen High; Jenny Shank, Brownsville Lopez; Ariana Lezama, Brownsville Lopez; Karyme Martinez, Harlingen South; Lexi Sandoval, Harlingen South; Itzel Rodriguez, Brownsville Veterans; Alexis Tamez, Brownsville Veterans; BeAnka Galan, La Feria; Sabrina Azua, La Feria; Trinity Villalobos, Lyford; Victoria Lopez, Lyford

After losing the Class 6A state semifinal 3-2 to eventual state champion Pearland at McCombs Field in Austin, Emily Delgado stood composed as she addressed the media and a sea of purple and yellow behind her.

Delgado was poised despite losing an extremely close game and ending what could have been her last softball game, but that was Delgado all season, a leader, on the best team in the Valley loaded with talent.

Delgado is The Brownsville Herald/Valley Morning Star’s All-Area Softball MVP for the 22-23 season.

“When I first came in the program, I did not think I had it as much,” Delgado said of her leadership qualities. “But I definitely learned it from the girls that were there before me, so knowing it is noticed now and that I got to help other players is a great feeling.”

The Temple College commit shared District 32-6A’s MVP honors with Bethany Aguilar and Amira Rodriguez — deservedly so. Rodriguez and JoJo Montes tore it up as sophomores on a team loaded with senior talent.

Delgado won 23 games as a senior, picking up her last win in Game 2 of a Region IV-6A final against San Antonio East Central to punch San Benito’s ticket to the state tournament.

Delgado will remember her time at San Benito fondly.

“It was definitely a good career,” Delgado said. “I met so many good players, so many great people and lots of friendships that I am going to miss. If I could do it all over again, I would.”

Delgado struck out more than 150 batters in the circle this season to go along with her 23 wins. Delgado usually batted third for the Greyhounds and led the team in hits going into the regional final series with 67, batting .486 with 61 RBIs.

Delgado contemplated joining the U.S. Navy as the season came to a close, but college softball was too much for Delgado to turn down. In early July, Delgado signed with Temple College to play junior college softball next season.

La Joya High has a special player. It is as simple as that.

Coyotes pitcher Arlette Hernandez has solidified herself as not only one of the best players in the Valley, but in the state of Texas. Hernandez received Texas Sport Writers’ All-State first-team honors and was the Texas High School Coaches Association Pitcher of the Year for the Class 6A Super Elite Team.

Hernandez, as a sophomore, hit 11 home runs with a .530 batting average, struck out 285 batters from the circle and did it with an ERA of 0.78.

Hernandez is The Monitor’s All-Area Softball Player of the Year for the 2023 softball season.

“I tried to be stronger than I was last year,” Hernandez said. “I worked hard all summer, and I am still trying to get better.”

As a freshman, Hernandez finished with more strikeouts, but she had more help in the rotation in 2023 compared to 2022. Hernandez was grateful for having that help, she said. Hernandez pitched nearly 40 fewer innings in 2023 compared to 2o22 and finished 38 strikeouts short of her freshman total of 323.

Hernandez won 17 games for the co-District 31-6A champions. Hernandez tossed four perfect games during the season and struck out double-digit batters 17 times. La Joya High was eliminated in the playoffs by Harlingen High.

“We all went down together,” Hernandez said. “There was no pointing fingers, we went down as a team.”

Hernandez pitched the entire series against Harlingen High, all three games, and her pitching turns heads, but offensively Hernandez is happy about the gains she made.

“It was a big surprise to me,” Hernandez said. “I have been working all summer for it, and it paid off during the season.”

Hernandez’s 11 home runs is five more than her freshman season, and she also nearly doubled the number of RBIs as well with 54 as a sophomore compared to 29 as a freshman.

“It was such a great season, even though we did not get the outcome we wanted,” Hernandez said. “We just have to keep working and going for the next two years.”

SANTA ROSA — A cricket’s lone chirp and a country dog’s distant bark echoed during a palpable 68 seconds of silence on a humid night at Warriors Stadium in Santa Rosa.

The Warriors ushered in the new football season with their second annual midnight madness practice at midnight Monday morning and a tribute to their teammate Arturo Sauceda, number 68.

Sauceda was on the cusp of his senior season at Santa Rosa when he was shot and killed in a domestic violence attack in late July in San Perlita. Sauceda was a pivotal member of the offensive line and as a member of the Santa Rosa community, Santa Rosa Athletic Director Joe Marichalar said.

“It is a tough one for what kids, coaches and everyone experience in a normal high school setting,” Marichalar said. “This is one of those tough ones where you have to deal with losses and have kids heartbroken and grieving to kickoff a season.”

Marichalar hoped the midnight practice could help boost the morale of the players and of a hurt community still reeling from the Sauceda’s death.

“We are going to see if the kids can stay focused,” Marichalar said. “The seniors will probably take it a lot harder because they had been with him so long, but Sauceda made an impact on every kid here. Everybody loves him and had nothing but positive things to say about him. He is going to be missed dearly by everybody.”

Sauceda was set to be one of the main pass protectors for senior quarterback Bryan Rojas. The quarterback breezed through drills while the playing of the band mixed in with rock songs from the 80s that are commonly played at high school football stadiums.

“He was the light to the team,” Rojas said. “He brought a lot of joy to the team. If you were having a bad day, you would go to him and he would pick you. He was very important and a special person to the team.”

Senior wide receiver Julius Olmedo echoed those sentiments and used a game against Monte Alto last season as an example.

“We weren’t playing good against Monte Alto, and at halftime Art came in and told us we need to step it up,” Olmedo said. “We did … we are going to miss him for sure.”

Santa Rosa went on to beat Monte Alto 62-20 after scoring 41-unanswered points.

The Warriors wore a ribbon in remembrance of Sauceda during practice Sunday night. The team had No. 68 decals for their helmets donated and Sauceda will be an honorary captain for every game. Players will take his jersey with them during captain duties.

“We are going to give it all for him,” senior linebacker Andrew Ballin said. “This sport meant everything to him. His main priority was protecting Bryan. That’s all he ever said he was going to do.”

Santa Rosa went 7-4 in 2022, their first winning season since 2013. Last season they played to change a culture at Santa Rosa, this year they play for 68.

HARLINGEN — It would have taken an unlikely self-implosion for McAllen’s Esteban Gonzalez to blow his seven-stroke lead Sunday.

Gonzalez continued where he left off with another great showing that was highlighted by a hole-in-one on Hole 7, as he went on to win the boys 15-18 group title at the Gillman Auto Group South Texas Junior Golf Classic at the Harlingen Country Club.

“I think I still have work to do,” Gonzalez said. “But, the parts of my game that I have been working on — my putting and my chipping — I have seen a lot of improvement. I still have work to do to get ready for college.”

The UTRGV commit shot a score of 138, a 69 on both days to finish six under par for the tournament. The hole-in-one at seven was the second in the history of the STJGC and one that Gonzalez did not see go in.

“It was very calm because I could not see the ball, none of us did at the tee-box,” Gonzalez said. “My dad was up there by the green and he went crazy. I just thought, ‘Oh, my gosh. Did I make it?’ It kind of went from there. Just a bunch of high-fives from everybody. It was cool.”

Ryan Romero and Rex Flores finished in a tie for second place, posting a total of 154. Nick Luna carded a 154, and Jeffrey Janik and Krish Bhakta finished with 156.

Adam Segura won the boys 13-14 group. Segura finished the tournament three-over par. A.J. Rincones and Liam McGurk came in second and third, respectively. Miguel Castillo IV placed first in the 11-12 flight.

Robstown’s Brooke Caldwell was invited by friend Bella Bullock to stay and compete at the tournament this weekend. Caldwell, a UIL state qualifier with Calallen, won the girls 15-18 flight.

Caldwell was humble in victory and appreciative of the experience gained from playing in a wind-heavy tournament.

“I do not feel like I played my best, nor do I think I should have gotten it with the score I had,” Caldwell said. “But, it does feel good to have it after a couple of windy days.”

Bullock and Isabella Pace finished tied for second. Pace, a 13-year-old from San Antonio, jumped age groups to compete with the older golfers. Caldwell won by eight strokes. Andrea Juarez came in fourth and Alliana Briones finished fifth.

Karina Rios won the girls 13-14 flight. Sofia Pena and Natalie Morales finished second and third, respectively.

Sienna Barbosa is the little linksters girls 9-10 winner, Alejandro DeLeon won the little linksters co-ed flight, Jonathan Torres is little linksters boys 9-10 champion, and Uriel Solis placed first in the little linksters boys 11-12 group.

HARLINGEN — McAllen’s Esteban Gonzalez is making the most of the last junior golf tournament of his career.

Gonzalez, a UTRGV commit, shot a 69 on the first day of the Gillman Auto Group South Texas Junior Golf Classic on Saturday at Harlingen Country Club.

Par for the course is 72. Gonzalez’s 3-under was the only score under par. Weslaco’s Nick Luna and Edinburg’s Ryan Romero trail Gonzalez by seven strokes after both finished with a 76. McAllen’s Rex Flores and Harlingen’s Krish Bhakta round out the top five with scores of 77.

“I started off strong with birdies on the first two holes,” Gonzalez said. “And then it was a bit shaky. I made just a couple of mistakes … it got really windy, so it got kind of tough, so I was just playing percentage shots all day. My game was feeling good, though.”

The wind aided Gonzalez immensely on the par-5 holes, he said. The McAllen found the green in two shots at 14 for an easy birdie, and followed that up with a birdie on 15, a par-3 hole.

“The course was not playing hard,” Gonzalez said. “But the wind just kind of gets to you and gets to your head. You start overthinking some easy shots. (Today) is going to be different — it is not supposed to be windy — so there can be a lot of varying scores.”

Gonzalez does not have any other junior tournaments on his schedule before he goes to UTRGV in the fall.

Robstown’s Brooke Caldwell leads the girls 15-18 group after posting an 83. Caldwell is in front of Isabella Pace (85), Bella Bullock (89), Andrea Juarez (90) and Jordan Hernandez (91) heading into Day 2.

Adam Segura is up three strokes on A.J. Rincones in the boys 13-14 flight. Segura finished the day with a 74. Karina Rios leads the girls 13-14 flight after finishing with an 84.

Miguel Castillo IV is leading the boys 11-12 flight, Sienna Barbosa is up in the little linksters girls 9-10 flight, Alejandro DeLeon leads the little linksters co-ed group, Jonathan Torres is leading in the little linksters boys 9-10 group and Uriel Solis leads the little linksters boys 11-12 flight.

Golfers begin teeing off at 7:30 a.m. today at Harlingen Country Club.