By KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer

Three Rio Grande Valley softball teams are alive in the 2019 playoffs and two of them, are from the lower valley.

Rio Hondo and Harlingen South are back in the Sweet 16 for the second time in the last three years.

Both clubs will enter the Sweet 16 with a best-of-three series on the horizon.

Harlingen South will meet a familiar opponent in New Braunfels Canyon, with Game 1 scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday night. Game 2 will begin at 5 p.m. and, if needed, Game 3 will follow 30 minutes after. The series will be played at Tuloso-Midway High School in Corpus Christi.

Rio Hondo will square off against Fredericksburg. Game 1 will be Friday at 7 p.m. at Three Rivers High School before the series shifts to Beeville Jones High School for Game 2 at 3 p.m. Game 3, if needed, will follow 30 minutes after.

Rio Hondo is no stranger to the Sweet 16. Two years ago, the Lady Bobcats reached the fourth round and eventually made the region final.

The Lady ’Cats will look to carry the momentum into their series against Fredericksburg after completing a sweep against Sinton this past weekend.

“Getting to the Sweet 16 is something special,” said Rio Hondo coach Brett Esparza. “Not very many teams get to accomplish this. So for us to do it again, for a second time in the last three years, is a testament to how hard our kids work and we are humbled by the opportunity.”

A series win this weekend would send the Lady ’Cats to their second region final in program history, but Esparza and company know there is still a series to be played before that happens

“We know what our ultimate goal is and we remain grounded,” Esparza said. “As far as Fredericksburg goes, we really don’t know too much. We do know that they are at the top of their district and they played in a competitive district.”

Harlingen South to no surprise is alive and well in the postseason.

The Lady Hawks swept through the regional quarterfinals with a sweep over PSJA North this past weekend.

Last year, the Cougarettes met San Benito in Round 4 in a one-game playoff and came out with the win. Their series win over Hays this past weekend punched their ticket to the sweet 16 for a fifth straight year and for the ninth time in the past 11 seasons.

“When I came in four years ago, the mentality that I saw was the girls were satisfied on getting to the playoffs,” Harlingen South head coach Elias Martinez said. “And that was good, but we changed the mindset about us making a run in the playoffs as deep as we can. This is a big accomplishment for our girls and especially our senior class. This is their second go around in the Sweet 16.”

The senior class is no stranger to the postseason, reaching the playoffs each year. This year, South’s senior class is looking to get pass the Round 4 hurdle.

“All of us as seniors, we are no different than anyone else,” said senior shortstop Krystal Gonzales. “Everyone has stepped up with their leadership roles when we don’t and we all step up in different way. That means a lot for the program because, when we leave, the next group will step up.”

By ROY HESS | Staff Writer

BEEVILLE — It was an unforgettable softball playoff game featuring so many turns in momentum and decisive moments.

In the end Saturday, the Rio Hondo Lady Bobcats came up with two runs during the top of the ninth inning to prevail over Sinton 8-6 and sweep their Class 4A regional quarterfinal best-of-three series with the Lady Pirates.

The series sweep advances District 32-4A champion Rio Hondo (26-10-1) to the coming week’s regional semifinals against Fredericksburg.

Because of the threat of wet weather, Saturday’s originally scheduled game at Sinton was moved to the artificial turf softball field in Beeville. As it turned out, there was no rain, only some overcast skies and cooler temperatures.

Rio Hondo opened the series Friday at home and defeated the Lady Pirates 6-4 to set the stage for Saturday’s extra-inning, back-and-forth thriller that took nine innings and the better part of three hours to decide.

Beating District 31-4A champion Sinton (29-8), the fifth-ranked 4A team in the state, seemed almost too good to be true for the Lady Bobcats.

But yes, it was real.

“This game was just a fight all the way to the end,” said Lady Bobcats senior pitcher Erika Cortez, who went the distance for the mound victory with 12 strikeouts and four walks while allowing 11 hits. “We had to have faith in God. We knew if we had faith and believed in Him anything would be possible, so all the glory goes to Him all day.

“This feels amazing to me,” Cortez added. “It’s the first time I’ve ever been to the fourth round, so it’s pretty emotional. We couldn’t have done it without all these girls working together.

“Today was one of the best games ever. Honestly, it was one of the most inspirational games I’ve ever played. It was magical.”

Sinton led 2-0 after one inning and 3-0 after three. Rio Hondo came up with a three-run top of the fourth to tie things at 3 before the Lady Pirates went up 5-3 after four.

The Lady Bobcats were ahead 6-5 after the top of the fifth before a solo homer over the left-field wall by Haley Smith, Sinton’s No. 9 batter and pitcher, brought the score even again at 6.

Sinton threatened with bases loaded two times during the bottom of the eighth, but Cortez displayed her resolve by prevailing against the final two Lady Pirates coming to the plate in the inning on full-count strikeouts to keep her opponents scoreless.

“Erika is just as advertised,” Rio Hondo coach Brett Esparza said of his standout pitcher. “She’s money.”

Then it was Rio Hondo’s turn during the top of the ninth.

The Lady Bobcats’ Dominique De Jesus led off with a single to left field. Teammate Alexis Ryhner moved her to second on a sacrifice bunt before Kelsey Pizarro reached base on a high throw to first by the Sinton third baseman.

The errant throw to first allowed De Jesus to come home on the play, making it 7-6 for Rio Hondo. Abbie Torris, the next batter, followed with an RBI single to plate Pizarro for a two-run lead.

Sinton only sent three batters to the plate during the bottom of the ninth, with none of them reaching base. In fact, two of them struck out and the other flied out to first.

Then it was time for Rio Hondo’s victory celebration to begin.

“This game had a lot of ups and downs, but we fought so hard,” said Torris, a sophomore catcher. “We showed some teeth to keep going. I’m just so proud of us. I think now we’re just going to keep fighting in the playoffs.”

Added Savanna Gonzalez, a sophomore left fielder, “At this moment, I’m really happy for my team. I think if we can just have confidence and believe we can go really far, we will. I know we can go on. We just need to stick together on our team and keep doing well. We’ve worked so hard to get to this moment, and I’m so proud of everyone.”

Esparza was all smiles, too.

“I’m just overcome with emotion,” he said. “We believe in this team so much, and they’re so young that we’re learning about ourselves every week. We know we need to get better, and we’re up to the task week in and week out.

“We knew we would be somewhere in this (third) round with an opportunity to play ourselves into the next one,” he added. “That’s a tremendous softball team over there (in Sinton). They hit the ball very well early, but we settled down and got hits when we needed them. It was a complete team effort, and I just couldn’t feel any prouder of this group.”

By KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer

FREER — For at least one more week, Santa Gertrudis Academy will defend its Class 3A state title.

The Lady Lions used a pair of three-run homers from Clarissa De Los Santos and Jackie Garza to earn a series-clinching 8-4 win over Lyford in Game 2 of their regional quarterfinal series Saturday.

The Lady Lions completed a sweep, adding the win to their 6-3 win in Game 1 on Friday night. Santa Gertrudis will advance to the Sweet 16 and face Hallettsville.

“Much credit to their pitcher, she has a great riseball, and we did start off a little slow, our bats were in a slump,” Lyford coach Joey Rios said. “But we buckled down and wanted to finish, and we had outs to work with. We scored four runs in the sixth inning, but they made the plays when they needed to, and much credit to them.”

After two scoreless innings, junior pitcher Jerrica Rojas walked the first two batters and, after a strikeout, De Los Santos swatted a three-run home run that broke the scoreless tie.

De Los Santos wasn’t done. The righty retired the first 10 batters she faced until surrendering an infield single to Alyssa Garcia in the fourth inning. De Los Santos went the distance and gave up four hits, with four strikeouts, one hit batsman and no walks.

During the fifth inning, Rojas walked the leadoff batter and gave up a single with no outs. Garza added to the SGA lead with the team’s second three-run blast, breaking open the game at 6-0.

“Today was the same situation as Game 1,” Rios said. “The second homer, we walked one and they got a runner on off a bunt, and that one pitch was low and in and she managed to carry it to right center, and it was a tough one.”

Rojas, who threw a complete game Friday night, threw four innings Saturday and was chased during the fifth inning after surrendering the three-run homer to Garza.

“Much credit to Jerrica, she pitched a complete game last night and she felt good coming into today,” Rios said of his ace. “We knew we had Mia (Wetgrove), and she is a freshman and we didn’t want to put her in a pressure spot right away. We eased her into the game, and she did well for us.”

The Lady Bulldogs put up a four-run sixth inning and got as close as 6-4. Hannah Garza got the late rally going with a one-out double and later scored on a sacrifice fly. Tiffani Alaniz later drove in the fourth run of the inning on an RBI double.

Lyford ends its season at 34-2, with its only losses coming against the Lady Lions. The Lady Bulldogs will graduate two seniors and, with a team that is sophomore and freshman heavy, Lyford will be in good shape for the next couple of years.

“We are losing two great young ladies, but we are getting everyone back,” Rios said. “We have a great group of freshmen along with a strong group of sophomores and juniors. It is going to be very interesting for us, and the kids know the standard. This is a stepping stone for us, and come the playoffs everyone will compete.”

MARK MAY | SPECIAL TO THE MONITOR

PHARR — Harlingen South took advantage of some PSJA North miscues to engineer a 13-1 victory over the Raiders in Game 1 of their best-of-three Region IV-6A quarterfinal playoff game Friday night.

The game was called after five innings due to the 10-run rule. Game 2 will begin at 5 p.m. today at Harlingen South. Game 3, if needed, would follow 30 minutes after Game 2.

The Raiders committed four errors which led to eight Lady Hawk runs. Harlingen South scored twice in the first inning and then added four runs in the third, six runs in the fourth and one run in the fifth.

“The girls beat themselves,” PSJA North coach Stephanie Lugo said. “I told them a good athlete has short-term memory. You’ve got to move forward and do better.”

PSJA North went 13-1 en route to winning the District 30-6A title. They have since gone 4-2 in the playoffs. Harlingen South won its sixth straight game to improve to 31-6, including 4-0 in playoff games. The Hawks came into Friday’s matchup ranked 54th in the state by Max Preps.

“We’ve been playing well lately,” South coach Elias Martinez said. “We’re just continuing that same mental toughness. Tomorrow’s going to be another battle.”

Lady Hawks sophomore pitcher Kylie Ruiz pitched five innings, giving up just five hits and one run while striking out one and walking two.

“She’s been steady all season long,” Martinez said. “She spoils us by how cool and collected she is.”

Harlingen South’s Kayla Rogers batted 3 for 4 with two runs scored. Teammate Natasha Canales went 2 for 4 and scored two runs. Krystal Gonzales (1 for 3) slugged a triple in the fifth inning and later came home on a wild pitch for her fourth run of the evening. She narrowly missed a triple back in the fourth when a deep ball to left field was ruled an error after the left fielder got a glove on the ball. Two runs scored on the play.

The Lady Hawks generated 13 runs on 13 hits, including five hits in the third inning and six hits in the fourth when the team sent 11 batters to the plate. PSJA North had one run on five hits.

The Lady Hawks took advantage of two throwing errors in the first inning to jump ahead 2-0. The Raiders scored their lone run in the second when Mary Casillas’ single to right field scored Angel Lozano from second base after Lozano had singled and stolen second.

Both Casillas and Lozano batted 2 for 2, collecting four of their team’s five hits.

Heaven Lozano started on the mound for the Lady Raiders. Down 9-1, Andrea Salazar relived her with nobody out in the fourth. Salazar gave up five hits and four runs in two innings of work.

Everything that could go wrong for PSJA North did go wrong. The Lady Hawks even scored runs off of a passed ball and a wild pitch. Another player, Alexa Saucedo, reached first base on a dropped third strike in the fourth inning and eventually scored on a base hit by Christina Arellano (2 for 4, RBI, run scored).

Canales, a Lady Hawks outfielder, said her team will need an all-around effort once again to clinch the series.

“We need to keep our bats going,” the senior said. “No errors. Teamwork and relying on each other to do our part.”

KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer

RIO HONDO — The young guns of Rio Hondo continue to come through this postseason.

The Lady Bobcats struck first with a three-run first inning — led by sophomore Savanna Gonzalez and freshman Alexis Rhyner — then Rio Hondo relied on its defense and the right arm of senior ace Erika Cortez to earn a 6-4 win over Sinton in Game 1 of their best-of-three Class 4A regional quarterfinal series.

Rio Hondo needed every bit of muscle to get past the No. 5 team in the state. While Cortez did not have an ideal night in the circle, the senior flipped the switch during the final two innings by striking out six of the last seven batters she faced.

“I felt I didn’t have my best performance tonight,” Cortez said. “I didn’t do too well at the plate and that got to me, but I had my team and everyone here for me helping me get back on track. So when I went out there in the sixth and seventh, I was able to refocus and lock in to my pitches.”

The series shifts to Beeville for Game 2. First pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m. and, if needed, Game 3 will follow 30 minutes afterward.

“We came out and we were anxious,” Rio Hondo coach Brett Esparza said. “We knew we could turn that into some positive energy and just keep it going. Like we say, ‘All gas, no brakes,’ and for us to break through in that first inning was the difference in the game. And that is why we wanted to play at home, and we know how important Game 1 is to gain momentum in the series.”

Rio Hondo wasted no time jumping on Sinton starter Hannah Gallegos. After back-to-back singles from Nayeli Garcia and Gonzalez, Kayla Castaneda broke open the scoring on an RBI single. One batter later, Rhyner continued to swing a hot bat and drove in two runs on a standup double.

Sinton answered with a two-run second inning, roughing up Cortez with a walk, a single and a double.

Rio Hondo added some insurance runs with a three-run third inning. Kelsey Pizzaro added to the lead with a sacrifice fly followed by RBIs from Abbie Torris and Alyssa Silguero.

“We sat the girls down earlier today in our pregame meeting, and we talked about how we are not a young team anymore,” Esparza said. “We have been through six rounds of the playoffs with some girls and with the older girls they have been through 11 rounds, so with all of that combined there is an understanding on how important a Game 1 win is.”

At the plate, Gonzalez went 2-for-3 with one walk and one run scored. Castaneda added to the offense with a 2-for-3 night and an RBI. Rhyner finished 1-for-2 with one walk and one run scored.

Cortez went the distance in the circle, allowing four runs, four hits and three walks, and she struck out 13 batters.

“We wanted to start out hot and we did that, and it carried us through that lull we had in the middle innings,” Esparza said. “(Cortez) was money in the sixth and seventh inning, and she didn’t have her best start but she got stronger as the game went on, and that is a good sign for us.”

KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer

RIO HONDO— Senior Kayla Castaneda has been in plenty of big spots in her career.

The slugger is one of three remaining members from Rio Hondo’s 2017 region final team.

Last year, Castaneda suffered a season-ending knee injury during the first scrimmage of the season.

A year later, Castaneda is back fully healthy and is providing Rio Hondo leadership and a bat in the middle of the Lady Bobcats’ order.

Castaneda and the Lady ’Cats are on the brink of another trip to the Sweet 16 and open their best-of-three series tonight at home against Sinton at 7 p.m.

The Valley Morning Star got a chance to catch up with the Rio Hondo slugger.

Q: Do you have any superstitions when you play?

Kayla: When it is game day, before the games we don’t step on the white lines, no matter what.

Q: You wear the No. 21 any reason why you wear that number?

Kayla: Ever since I was in Little League, I wore the No. 21. That has always been my number my entire career.

Q: What makes you love the game of softball?

Kayla: Really it is the atmosphere. Here in Rio Hondo, with this team, I have made friends and those friends have become family over the years. I also have made so many good memories with some ups and downs, but I love it.

Q: We are a few years removed from the region final run. You are one of three members from that team remaining and it’s your senior year. Has all of that hit you yet?

Kayla: It has been a great feeling and now that I’m a senior, we are still here. It is great for the younger girls to see and experience the playoff runs, so when us seniors graduate, they will know what it takes and what it means.”

Q: What is your favorite pregame meal?

Kayla: I honestly go to Stripes, I get two burritos, a blue Gatorade and a bag of funyuns chips. I go to doc’s room and we sit down and talk. That is my game day routine and my game day snack.

Q: What are you binge watching on Netflix?

Kayla: Right now it’s Grey’s Anatomy.

Q: If you could have three wishes what would they be?

Kayla: I would want to travel the world, restart my high school softball career and my third wish would be to meet Oklahoma’s Lauren Chamberlin; she hits a lot of homers for the Sooners.

Q: Who is your pick to win the Woman’s College World Series?

Kayla: It would have to be Oklahoma, all the way that is my team.

Q: If you could have dinner with anyone in history who would it be?

Kayla: It would be President Donald Trump. I think he is a very interesting person and I don’t understand his thinking sometimes.

Q: Tell us something we might not know about you?

Kayla: I sleep with my dog every night. I can’t go without it; it feels weird if I don’t have my dog asleep with me.

KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer

LA FERIA—There was no doubt that Darius Hernadnez was going to play at the next level, it was just a matter of where.

The multi-sport athlete secured his college future by signing his letter of intent to play football at Clarke University in Dubuque, Iowa during a ceremony Thursday afternoon at La Feria High School.

“The emotions today are 100 percent good; this has just been an honor,” Hernandez said. “This is just something I have been dreaming about since I was able to pick up a football. This is the best day of my life and such a special moment. This is something that I really worked for.”

Clarke University will head into their inaugural season as a football program and will compete in the NAIA’s Heart of America Conference beginning this fall.

“Clarke was the best option for me financially, for myself and the family,” Hernandez said. “It is a new program and I feel my chances there are really good to start. Not only that, but they are doing a great job on recruiting and they are bringing in a lot of talent. So for the next four years, it’s going to be something to look out for.”

Hernandez, who played both wide receiver and running back in his time at La Feria, provided the Lions with his soft hands and versatility.

His senior year, he had a key hand in the Lions’ District 16-4A Division I title and ended his career on a strong note by reaching the third round of the playoffs. Hernandez was named the district’s Offensive Player of the Year and was a Blue-Grey Football All-American.

“From just talking to the coaches as of now, I’m looking at playing receiver, running back or playing in the slot,” Hernandez said. “Wherever he needs me I’ll be. They are going to utilize my hands, speed and my agility.”

Along with the athletic ability came his leadership skills. Hernandez led by his actions on the field and that is one trait Lions head coach Oscar Salinas had high praise for.

“He has meant a lot to us and this program; he was a four-year starter for us,” Salinas said. “He has been a great kid on and off the field. His biggest thing was he was a leader. He wasn’t a vocal leader, but he led with his actions and people followed him because of the way he worked. He is a hard worker and Clarke couldn’t get a better athlete to start their program.”

ROY HESS | Staff Writer

As a recent all-state honoree, Mia Paz already has proven her ability to shoot the basketball on the high school level.

Now the four-year standout as a shooting guard for the Hanna Lady Eagles is taking her game to the NCAA Division I ranks.

The graduating senior signed an athletic scholarship agreement Wednesday to play next school year at the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley in Edinburg.

The signing took place at the Hanna auditorium with a number of family members, classmates, teachers, coaches and school officials on hand to witness the landmark event in the life of the young basketball star.

It was the 12th college signing of the school year at Hanna, and quite possibly the most well-attended signing event of all of them.

Paz said she had been thinking about her signing day for quite a while.

“It feels good because it’s a great accomplishment for me,” she said. “I’m already committed to the school. I no longer have to stress out about where I’ll end up next (school) year to play basketball. I chose UTRGV because it’s close to home, and I’ll be close to my family.

Being here at Hanna has been one of the best things in my life,” she added. “These people have treated me like I was part of their family. They’ve welcomed me with open arms.”

One of Paz’s teammates at UTRGV will be Valeria Tapia, a 2017 graduate of St. Joseph Academy who just completed her sophomore season for the Vaqueros’ women’s team.

They played against each other in high school. Now they’ll be teammates.

“I can’t wait to play with Valeria next season,” said Paz, who plans to pursue a kinesiology degree at UTRGV along with a minor in mathematics so she can one day become a teacher and basketball coach.

Paz, never shy about putting up long-range shots, has received numerous honors as a basketball player, including first-team all-state recognition as a senior last month by the Texas Girls Basketball Coaches Association.

As a senior, she was a 32-6A All-District first-teamer and The Brownsville Herald’s All-Metro MVP. Paz was chosen as an All-Valley first-team selection who played in the All-Valley Showcase hosted by the RGV Vipers.

As a junior, Paz led the state with 123 3-pointers. She set a Valley record with 410 3-pointers during her four-year Hanna career. Also during the past season, she surpassed Alex Denson, a 1997 Hanna graduate, as the city’s all-time leading scorer with 2,968 points.

Also as a senior, Paz averaged 24.4 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.0 assists while leading the 26-12 Hanna girls back to the playoffs for the first time in more than a decade. She had a 50-point game last December in which she made 12 3-pointers.

“These awards mean a lot to me, but it’s not just me,” Paz said. “I owe it all to my teammates. They are the reason I’m up here on the (auditorium) stage (signing a scholarship).”

Paz had many people to thank, including her parents, John and Becky Paz, plus Hanna girls coach Luis Gonzalez, who has guided her throughout her high school years.

“I thank my parents, my whole family and everyone, plus my coach,” she said. “Most importantly, I thank God for giving me this opportunity and allowing me to continue playing basketball because basketball is my life.

“I’m going to really miss Hanna, and I’m always going to be glad I came here,” Paz added.

Gonzalez said he’s never coached a scorer the caliber of Paz. He said he wasn’t going to shed any tears at Wednesday’s signing ceremony, but added he probably will shed some on the first day of practice next season when he realizes Paz is no longer around to play for the Lady Eagles.

“This is an amazing day,” Gonzalez said. “I’m so proud of Mia’s accomplishments. She’s had great accomplishments throughout the years, but signing an NCAA Division I athletic scholarship says it all. I don’t think it’s happened in Brownsville in at least 30 years, so I’m just so happy for her, and it’s so well-deserved.

“A lot of people just see her 3-pointers, and they don’t realize there’s a lot of work behind them with all the time she spends in practice and all those summers away from the family (playing basketball),” the Hanna coach added. “It takes a lot of work to get to that level.

“What can I say? Mia has left her mark with her legacy in Hanna basketball. Actually, it’s not just Hanna, but the entire Valley. There are a lot of little girls who are going to look at Mia Paz (as a role model), and they’re going to want to play NCAA Division I basketball, too. (That type of recognition) couldn’t happen to a better person.”

KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer

Both Rio Hondo and Harlingen South are alive and well in the softball playoffs as both teams will have a shot at the Sweet 16 this weekend.

While the clubs will be on different fields, there will be a family connection between the Lady Hawks and Lady Bobcats.

While the two might not wear the same school colors or be on the same team, Rio Hondo sophomore Domo De Jesus and junior Kelsey Rivera of Harlingen South are cousins that have grown up together and grew up playing softball.

“We grew up together,” Rivera said. “We grew up always fighting and being real hectic, but it is like a sister bond that we have and a sister-type of fighting.”

De Jesus and Rivera began playing softball at age 4 and were able to play together on the same team growing up. It wasn’t until high school when Rivera went to South and De Jesus wound up in Rio Hondo.

“We text each other good luck messages on game days,” De Jesus said. “We haven’t done it as much lately, but we know we always support each other and always keep each other in the loop.”

Both have had their big moments during their careers and have supported each other along the way.

Last season, De Jesus drove in the winning run in the area round and Rivera was right there cheering on De Jesus.

The very next day Rivera took the field and was a part of a walkoff win and to no surprise, De Jesus was right there supporting her cousin.

“Domo was interviewed the night before my game and the next day, I was interviewed that next day,” Rivera said. “I remember taking pictures of her getting interviewed and she did the same for me. This game and us playing is embedded in our family it is a lifestyle.”

“We are all together as one family, when one of us plays in Corpus we will all go and watch each other when we can,” De Jesus added. “I even wear her fan shirts to school and I’ll get heat from it, but its fun.”

Both De Jesus and Rivera even wear the same No. 10, giving life to their saying ‘Reppin’ the 10.’ Though it wasn’t by design.

“I didn’t get 10 because of Kelsey, I got it because the number 11 was already taken so I picked 10,” De Jesus said.

“I have always worn the number 10,” Rivera added. “My mom worn 10 and my brother wore the same number when he played here at South.”

Both Harlingen South and Rio Hondo will begin their best-of-three series this weekend with the Lady ’Cats taking on Sinton Friday night at 7 p.m. and Harlingen South traveling to PSJA North for a 7:30 p.m. matchup.

KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer

RAYMONDVILLE—When Taylor Vento arrived at Raymondville High School four years ago, neither her nor her coach Felix Silva knew what to expect.

Though Silva saw what he had and knew he could develop the 5-foot-11-inch post.

Four years later, Vento became a household name and a two-time All-District 32-4A player and provided the Lady BearKats with solid play over the years.

On Wednesday, Vento saw everything come full circle as she signed her letter of intent to play basketball at Sul Ross University in Alpine.

“Today’s signing day means a lot to me,” Vento said. “It’s been a long time since a girl from Raymondville has signed to play basketball at the college level, so for me to be able to do this is big for the school and myself. I visited campus, it is beautiful and surrounded by mountains. The coaching staff and teachers are all wonderful and welcoming.”

Vento is a multisport athlete, but found her calling on the court. It was her sophomore year when Vento officially arrived.

“We were playing La Feria and it was her sophomore year,” Silva said. “Taylor was on defense and went up and blocked a shot and I knew then she had officially arrived.”

Vento wrapped her senior season with All-District 32-4A selection for a second straight year while averaging 14.1 points, 12.3 rebounds and 4.5 blocks per game.

Vento played post and plans to play the same position for the Lobos.

“That is why I signed on for,” she said. “They need someone to play the post position and I’ll be ready to fill in at the position.”

The biggest challenges for Vento will the distance from Raymondville to Alpine along with the level of competition that she will be playing with.

“I know I will get homesick for sure and another thing is the level of competition,” she said. “The level of play will be way different from varsity to the college level.”