By KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer

Senior powerlifter Julianna Barrera ended her Port Isabel powerlifting career in style.

On Friday, Barrera competed in the 132-pound weight division and brought home the Texas High School Women’s Powerlifting Association Class 4A state title with a lift of 425 pounds in the squat.

“I just knew I had to do what I had already done to get the job done,” Barrera said. “I was excited and relieved when I saw that I won. I made my town proud and my coaches proud. It was a great way to end my career as a Lady Tarpon.”

Barrera was no stranger to the state meet. She made the state meet in her sophomore year, and in her junior year she placed third at state in the 165 weight class. Barrera made a change in her weight class heading into her senior year.

“She worked so hard to get here, and all year long she dominated,” powerlifting coach Johnathan Bodden said. “She went up there and took care of business. We are all proud of her. She has been a great leader for us and leads by example, and helps lead the other girls.”

Barrera looked back to her sophomore year, when she entered the state meet like a deer in the headlights. She used her work and experience to bring home a state title.

“ When I made it my sophomore year, I was just in awe of how big the meet was and I didn’t do so well. I finished second to last. Now I knew what to expect, and knowing how they judge I was prepared this year.”

Port Isabel wasn’t the only school whose athletes brought home gold. Also in 4A, Raymondville’s Karina Martinez, who competed in the 259 weight class, squatted 550 pounds, benched 260 and deadlifted 395 for a total of 1,205 pounds.

The Los Fresnos Lady Falcons’ girls team swept the Class 6A competition this past weekend in Waco, bringing home its fifth straight state title.

Los Fresnos finished first with 38 points. Second place was Wylie with 34 points, followed by McAllen High (third, 24 points), Kyle Lehman (fourth, 22) and Donna North (fifth, 10).

Niomi Gamez, who competed in the 97 weight division squatted 305 and lifted 140 in the bench press and 285 in the deadlift, finishing at 730. Luisa Cruz competed in the 132 division and squatted 325, benched 190 and deadlifted 386, finishing at 900.

Layla Carrizalez competed in the 181 weight class, and she squatted 440, lifted 270 in the bench press and deadlifted 345 pounds for a total of 1,055. Rheanna Gonzales, in the 220 weight class, squatted 505 and lifted 200 in the bench and 465 on the deadlift, for an 1,170 total.

“I am extremely proud of the girls, they went out there and did what they were suppose to do,” said power lifting coach Jaime Vela. “They girls deserve it and they worked incredibly hard and put themselves in a position to win it all for a fifth straight year.”

In Class 5A, Brownsville Lopez’s Julieann Delgado competed in the 259 weight division. She squatted 495 and lifted 340 on the bench and 425 deadlift, finishing at 1,260.

KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer

The time is arriving for District 32-6A to get going.

There is no secret that a 10-team district is unique and puts teams in a win-now mode each week, with little room for error.

San Benito heads into district play looking to defend its district title. Despite the season getting off to a slow start and being hampered by injuries, San Benito is playing better and has gotten healthy during the past few weeks.

On Tuesday, the ’Lady Hounds welcomed back seniors Nana Carrizales and Sarah Garcia, who missed time with injuries.

Carrizales took the circle and Garcia hit a home run in the duo’s return to the lineup against Corpus Christi Tuloso-Midway.

“Having those two back, for one, it brings experience,” San Benito coach Denise Lira said. “Right now our team overall is young, and so having those back it brings us back some comfort and gives us more pieces to our puzzle.”

San Benito will begin its title defense Tuesday at home against Harlingen High. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m.

Meanwhile, Brownsville Hanna is coming off a 4-2 win over Brownsville Pace and will open district play at Brownsville Rivera, also at 6:30 p.m.

The Los Fresnos Lady Falcons will look to continue their offensive surge in their district opener at Harlingen South. The Lady Falcons are 13-8, and South sits 19-4.

“Our district is tough and we have to come in prepared each night,” Los Fresnos coach Traci Blackmon said. “We need to make sure we stay disciplined at the plate, especially when we see pitchers we know we can hit off of. A lot of the times the girls get too anxious and we will change our swing because we want to hit so bad.”

The matchup will present two of the deeper lineups in the area. Junior Reba Reyes, seniors Vicky Perales and Valarie Guevara, and sophomore Samantha Campos provide power and contact at the plate.

Their matchup with South will be one to keep an eye on, as South’s lineup also is deep with contact and power. Junior Kytana Muniz, freshman Iliana Saucedo and senior Krystal Gonzales all have the ability to leave the yard on one pitch.

One pleasant surprise Blackmon has seen is the club’s willingness to compete.

“The biggest surprise is how we have been competing against good teams,” Blackmon said. “I have seen some fight in them, and that is giving them a little confidence.”

KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer

The San Perlita Trojans and Santa Rosa Warriors had strong seasons.

San Perlita had a banner year by making the regional tournament, and the Warriors made their fourth straight appearance at the regional tournament.

Adding to the standout years were seniors Julian Herrera and Tige Johnson, who were named to the TABC All-Region IV-2A list. Johnson also was named to the all-state list.

Herrera averaged 15 points, 4.8 rebounds and two steals per game. Johnson had a strong junior year, averaging 28 points, 14.5 rebounds and six blocks per game.

“Coach texted me about it, and it was mind blowing,” Johnson said. “As soon as I told my mom, she jumped in the air and we were just excited and blessed. It is amazing to make the list, and to know all the hard work and dedication is paying off.”

Johnson, Herrera and San Isidro’s Genaro Elizondo represented District 32-2A.

“I couldn’t be more proud of Tige and Julian on making the all-region list,” Trojans coach Nataniel Garza said. “These young men bring a lot of positive attention to our community, and are not only known in the small school basketball scene but also known statewide. They are a prime example of what San Perlita embodies, blue collar and extremely hard working.”

In Class 3A, Santa Rosa’s CJ Olivarez was named to the all-region team. Olivarez broke out onto the scene and helped guide the young Warriors in 2018-19.

Against Goliad, Olivarez finished with 12 points and hit all four of his free throws during the final 1:27 to help seal the win and send the Warriors to the regional tournament.

“I know that nothing is given, everything is earned,” Olivarez said. “I have to work twice as hard because we will be back next year stronger and everyone will count us out, but our goal will always be to make state. It feels great to be able to fit in with the top athletes in the region as a freshman.”

Port Isabel set a record for most wins in a regular season with a 26-8 record. Junior guard Daniel Rinza was the lone Valley representative to make the 4A region list. Riza averaged a strong 18.5 points, 7.6 rebounds and 2.6 steals a game this season for the Tarpons.

In Class 6A, Los Fresnos had junior forward Elian Gonzalez make the list. Gonzalez had a hand in the Falcons’ sixth straight district title and scored in double digits 20 times, scoring 20 or more points four times, including a season-high 24 against San Benito and Jubilee Brownsville.

On the year, Gonzalez averaged 13.1 points, 7.4 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 2.0 steals a game.

KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer

HARLINGEN—The Harlingen South Lady Hawks wrapped up their non-district schedule in style.

Freshman Iliana Saucedo paced the offense with a 3-for-3 day with four RBIs and two runs as the Lady Hawks used a seven-run second inning to cruise past PSJA High 15-0 in three innings Thursday morning.

“Overall, we are seeing the ball well both defensively and at the plate,” said South Coach Elias Martinez. “Today we had two routine plays that we made errors on but I’m glad we got those out of the way because on Tuesday, district starts. That was one thing I told the girls, it starts over next week and on paper, we look good, but the games are not played on paper.”

Senior shortstop Krystal Gonzales got the offense going with a two-run single in the first inning. Saucedo would later score Gonzales on an RBI single of her own.

On Tuesday, the offense generated 17 runs and on Thursday, the Lady Hawks swatted 13 hits combined. Gonzales finished the day going 2-for-2 with two RBIs. Kayla Rogers also went 2-for-2 while Natasha Canales and Alexa Saucedo went 1-for-2, respectively.

The seven-run second inning was highlighted by a two run double from Saucedo, followed by a two-run single from Alyssa Ledesma that pushed the lead 9-0.

“Right now we are in a good spot and we feel good,” said junior Kytana Muinz. “We all worked together in the offseason and we are seeing it pay off. At the plate, I feel better and I’m making more contact now than earlier in the season.”

Kylie Ruiz took the circle for South and was sharp through three innings, allowing just two hits. In the top of the second inning, back-to-back errors and a walk loaded the bases for PSJA.

Ruiz was able to strike out the next two batters and got the third out on a pop up to wiggled out of the jam unscathed.

South will head into their district 32-6A opener with a strong 19-4 record and will square off with Los Fresnos at home on Tuesday with the first pitch scheduled for 7 p.m.

KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer

SAN BENITO—After grabbing an early lead in the first inning, it looked as if the San Benito Lady ‘Hounds were going to cruise to another win.

Well, Incarnate Word pitcher Morgan Gutierrez had other ideas.

Gutierrez found a groove by retiring 18 of the next 20 batters she faced in a complete game, three-hit performance. Along with Gutierrez was Briley Wingey, who hit a two-run home run in the third inning that proved to be the difference in a 5-3 win over the Lady ‘Hounds Wednesday afternoon in San Benito.

“We were just undisciplined at the plate,” San Benito coach Denise Lira said. “We were not swinging at our pitches and we were not staying in the zone. Normally we have a good approach and today, we just didn’t have it.”

The Lady ’Hounds offense got off to a strong start in the first inning. After back to back walks from April and Sarah Garcia, Kari Cisneros drove in the first run of the afternoon. Later in the inning, AJ Jasso belted a two-run double that brought in two more runs, giving the Lady Hounds their only lead of the afternoon at 3-0.

After the first inning, the Lady Hounds bats went silent and didn’t produce a base runner until a fifth inning walk from April Garcia that broke up a string of 12 straight batters retired.

“We have been playing well, we will get back on track and tomorrow we will get back to practice and get ready for district play and now everything truly counts and this is something that we have been working for since the start of the season.”

In the circle for San Benito, Jenessa Silva got the start and pitched into the third inning where she ran into trouble, giving up five runs, including Wingey’s two-run homer to break a 3-3 tie.

Megan Cavazos came in relief in the third inning and finished off the game going 4.2, while keeping Incarnate Word at bay allowing no hits and struck out three.

San Benito will open up district 32-6A play on Tuesday at home against Harlingen High, with the first pitch set for 7 p.m.

KEVIN NARRO | STAFF WRITER

RIO HONDO—Heading into their Spring Break matchup, both the Rio Hondo Lady Bobcats and Port Isabel Lady Tarpons were battling for the top spot in District 32-4A.

It was Rio Hondo that would take control behind senior pitcher Erika Cortez, who twirled a no-hitter in a complete game shutout while fanning 15 batters en route to a 4-0 win over Port Isabel.

“I did not know I had a no-hitter going,” Cortez said. “I don’t pay attention to those things; I just go out there and pitch. I found out after the game when coach told me and I was excited.”

The only blemish came on an error in the first inning that broke up the bid for a perfect game. After that, Cortez was masterful. The hard-throwing righty retired the next 18 batters she faced.

“I felt like I could have done better, but I will admit my change-up really worked tonight,” Cortez said. “It was something that coach (Brett) Esparza and I worked on all week and I needed it to help me keep the batters off balance.”

On the other side, junior pitcher Vivi Cantu held her own in the circle for the Lady Tarpons. In the bottom of the third inning, Domo De Jesus broke the scoreless tie on an RBI double giving Rio Hondo a 1-0 lead.

“We just talked about it with the kids, that Rio Hondo is a heck of a team,” Port Isabel coach Danno Wise said. “I thought Vivi did a great job for us in the circle and Allison Gonzalez played her tail off at short stop. They both do a good job on supporting each other in the circle.”

The Lady ‘Cats took advantage of Port Isabel’s errors in the fifth and sixth inning that helped stretch the lead 4-0.

“We have two games left in the first round,” Wise said. “We are in a good spot and have put ourselves in position to grab a playoff spot.”

Rio Hondo improves to 5-0 in league play and will get Progreso up next on Tuesday, while Port Isabel is now 4-1 but still in good shape and will look to rebound against Zapata.

“Coming into Spring Break you never know where the focus will be because we are so young,” said Rio Hondo coach Brett Esparza. “We have kids in the stock show and they are out and trying to get out here, but tonight, we played a good ball club. With a strong wind blowing in and for us to settle down and play solid defense behind Erika, we are happy to finish Spring Break at 5-0 in district.”

KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer

HARLINGEN— Heading into their non-district matchup against Weslaco East, Harlingen South senior shortstop Krystal Gonzales was looking to break out of an early season slump.

The senior felt no pressure but just wanted to produce for her team.

Well, the senior had a breakout night with a pair of homers, a two-run double and two intentional walks. Backing up Gonzales was junior slugger Kytana Muniz, who finished the night 4 for 4 with a homer and three RBIs as Harlingen South powered past Weslaco East 17-7 in six innings.

“I have been struggling at the plate this year,” Gonzales said. “I have been working on my offense with my coaches and stressing hitting up the middle. Tonight I felt great, and I really feel it was a breakout night for me at the plate. I went to the plate with a more patient approach. I knew I needed to come through for my team, and I was able to do that tonight.”

Along with the 17 runs, the Lady Hawks collected 20 hits. The Lady Hawks’ lineup is as deep as any club in the Rio Grande Valley. Tina Arellano finished the night 2-for-2, Natasha Canales went 3-for-4 and Kayla Rogers went 2-for-2. The Lady Hawks hit four homers on the night.

“Our bats came alive tonight, and we have been getting some great pitching,” South skipper Elias Martinez said. “Right now we are playing and seeing the ball well. Right now these are all non-district games and next week we start district, and that is when it counts and we are hoping to carry that over.”

Muniz, who has made the switch from catcher back to center field and bats fifth, also felt Tuesday’s game was a coming out game for herself and that she is starting to see the ball well.

“My approach tonight was just to make contact at the plate,” Muniz said. “If it went it went and I am really starting to get my confidence back at the plate, I have had a few rough tournaments where I didn’t do as good as I wanted to, but I’m getting to where I need to be and tonight is something I can build on.”

After leading 9-2 through four innings, Weslaco East put together a four-run rally and trailed 9-6 midway through the fifth inning.

During the bottom half of the frame, South’s depth was on full display. After a two-run double from Gonzales that pushed the lead 12-6, freshman Iliana Saucedo smashed a two-run homer that put South ahead 14-6.

“Our lineup is stacked, from the top of the order to the bottom, we can all hit the ball,” Gonzales said. “We are feeling good right now and playing well as a team.”

In the circle, Kylie Ruiz threw four complete innings. Saucedo entered in relief during the fifth inning and struggled to get out of the inning. Ruiz re-entered the game and recorded the final out, and completing the start with 5 1/3 innings and yielding three runs on seven hits. He struck out five.

Up next for the Lady Hawks is an 11 a.m. matchup Thursday at home against PSJA High.

KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer

The Los Fresnos Falcons again remain the team to beat in District 32-6A.

After their fifth straight district title and a 9-1 league record, junior Elian Gonzalez was named the district’s most valuable player.

Along with Gonzalez, Sebastian Szpak was named co-defensive player along with Mark Becerra of Harlingen South. Harlingen High’s Michael Arellano was named offensive player of the year, and San Benito’s Aaron Reyes was tabbed newcomer of the year.

On the first team were Ricky Altamirano from Los Fresnos, Diego Bazaldua from Harlingen High, Victor Campos from Hanna, Grant Lowery from Harlingen South, Dylan Lustick from Brownsville Rivera and Jeremy Sauceda from the Greyhounds.

In District 32-5A, Brownsville Veterans had a banner year by making it back to the regional quarterfinal round. The Chargers went 13-1 in 32-5A and hoisted the district title.

Chargers coach Larry Gibson was named coach of the year, and among his troops, Justin Ayala and Damian Maldonado were named Co-MVPs.

Mercedes’ Brandon Lozoya was the offensive player of the year, and teammate Caleb Arthur received defensive player of the year honors.

Making the first team were Edcouch-Elsa’s Marcos Escobar and Aaron Aguinaga. Jared Castaneda represented Mercedes, and Benji Eckersley was the lone Porter Cowboys player. AJ Anzaldua from Brownsville Pace, Matt Maddox from Brownsville Veterans and Derik Medrano from Donna High all made the list.

In District 32-4A, Hidalgo’s Gus Sanchez was named coach of the year, and his son, also named Gus, was named MVP. Two more Pirates made the list, as Saul Arjona was named defensive player of the year and the sixth man of the year went to Moises Longoria. Zapata’s J.J Villarreal received newcomer of the year honors, and Port Isabel’s Daniel Rinza was the offensive player of the year.

La Feria’s Noah Conde, Port Isabel’s Tommy Zurita, Grulla’s Dillen Salinas, Rio Hondo’s Jabez Villarreal, Zapata’s C.J. Garcia, Progreso’s Josh Garza, Raymondville’s Aaron Castillo and Hidalgo’s Andy Flores were on the first team.

In Class 3A, Santa Rosa reached the regional tournament once again, only this time with a much younger squad.

IDEA Frontier’s Gustavo Recio was tabbed the district MVP, and CJ Olivarez was named newcomer of the year while representing the Warriors. Tyrese Arrellano, also from IDEA Frontier, received offensive player of the year honors, and the defensive player of the year award went to Lyford’s Julian Romo.

On the first team were Santa Rosa’s David Bazaldua, Adam Cavazos and Chris Vela. Bryan Saenz, Luz Torres, Marcos Oseguera and CJ Castillo all represented Monte Alto. From IDEA Quest, Juan Montenegro and Ramon Martinez were included. Lyford’s Justin Vela, Vanguard Pharr’s Andres Solis and Shelby Topp, and IDEA Froniter’s Jesus Hernandez, Jacob Rivera and Rodrigo Vasquez also were named to the team.

The San Perlita Trojans reached the regional tournament to wrap up a banner year. Nataniel Garza was tabbed coach of the year, Tige Johnson was named offensive player of the year and James Herrera was the sixth man of the year.

Genaro Elizondo of San Isidro was named district MVP. Santa Maria’s Daniel Chavez was the defensive player of the year, and Lasara’s Francisco Garcia was named newcomer of the year.

On the first team were Lasara’s Jay Sanchez and Rolando Gonzalez. From San Isidro, there was Marco Garza, Armando Reyes and Alan Flores. Representing the Trojans were EJ Nieto, Julian Herrera and Noah Olivarez. A pair of Cougars, Enrique Cantu and Jose Villasana, made the list as well.

KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer

RIO HONDO—Senior pitcher Erika Cortez made her home debut Friday night, and on her 18th birthday she did not disappoint.

The senior threw a gem, tossing six scoreless innings, yielding one hit and two walks, and fanning nine. Backing up Cortez was the Rio Hondo offense, which swatted 15 hits en route to a 10-0 win over Raymondville in six innings.

“There was more excitement than there was nerves,” Cortez said. “I was extra excited today because this is my first game here in Rio Hondo, so it is different because on Tuesday we were in Zapata, but tonight we were home and I was just ready to go. When I’m in the circle, I’m confident in the girls behind me. If I give up a run, I don’t worry about it because our offense can score so many runs, and that helps me as a pitcher.”

Cortez, who made her official debut Tuesday in Zapata, has helped provide a jolt on and off the field for the Lady ’Cats.

“There was excitement, for sure, with Erika being able to pitch at home on her birthday, and being able to pitch in front of her family and friends,” Rio Hondo coach Brett Esparza said. “We have a great set of leaders here with our upperclassmen and adding her to the mix has been fantastic, and she is such a positive leader and is very humble, and we are happy to have her.”

The Lady Cats wasted no time on offense. During the bottom of the first inning, Rio Hondo had five straight hits and plated six runs to grab an early 6-0 lead. Seven Lady ’Cats finished with at least two hits. Rio Hondo added three more runs during the second inning and plated one more in the sixth.

“As the games have been going on, I have been able to recognize pitches and have had a much better approach,” Rio Hondo senior Kayla Castaneda said. “I have also become more selective at the plate, much more than I was at the start of the season.”

Castaneda finished the night 2 for 3 with two runs and an RBI. The top of the order went a combined 8 for 13 and scored seven runs. At the bottom of the order, Abbie Torris provided some pop, going 2 for 4 with a run scored and four RBIs.

“We are still very young, and so every pitcher that we face we are trying to teach the girls (that) different girls throw different pitches,” Esparza said.

“Tonight Raymondville had a great drop ball, and so as a hitter we need to understand that and we are just trying to teach the kids the game. If we can keep poking at it we will be fine. On Tuesday it was the opposite, we struggled early but were able to get it going late.”

The Lady ’Cats improve to 3-0 in district play and will travel to Grulla on Monday. Raymodville drops to 1-2 in district and now shifts its focus to Progreso.

KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer

Harlingen High and Los Fresnos highlighted the district 32-6A list. The Lady Cards finished 31-6 with a district title and an appearance in the third round of the playoffs, while the Lady Falcons went 20-17 and reached the playoffs for a second straight year under second year coach Rebecca Valdez.

Highlighting the district 32-6A all district list was senior Taegan Dickey who was named district Most Valuable Player and freshman Emery Scoggins was named new comer of the year.

Representing the Lady Falcons is junior Ariadna Gallardo who was tabbed offensive player of the year and senior Jovanna Adame earned defensive player of the year.

Harlingen’s Ariel Leal, Alyssa Cervantes both made first team; Lorna Camarillo from Los Fresnos was the lone representative on the first team. Harlingen South’s Laura Ramirez and Karla Reyes were named first team. Hanna’s Mia Paz was also named to the first team along with Brownsville Rivera’s Jacqueline Montes and San Benito’s Haley Lopez.

In district 32-4A Hidalgo’s Saul Arjona was named coach of the year and Barbie Gutierrez was named district MVP.

La Feria’s freshman Alani Garza was named new comer of the year. From Grulla, Leslie Guerrero was named offensive player of the year. Malenie Salinas from Hidalgo and Elaine Lopez from Zapata were both named defensive players of the year. The sixth man of the year went to Hidalgo’s Soleil Garza.

On the first team was La Feria’s Karina Diaz, Port Isabel’s Sabrina Garza, Grulla’s Bryanna Perez, Rio Hondo’s Taylor Gomez, Zapata’s Kaelynn Gonzalez, Raymondville’s Taylor Vento and Hidalgo’s Savannah Sanchez represented the first team.

In district 32-5A, Alexandra Parchmont of Brownsville Veterans and Rosa Salinas of Pace were named co-defensive players of the year. Also representing the Lady Chargers was Cati Esquivel who received new comer of the year.

Brownsville Vets Lizzie Garza was named first team along with Pace’s Lexy Arce.

In district 32-3A, the Lyford Lady Bulldogs won their district and junior Samantha Delgado was tabbed the district MVP along with freshman stand out Damaris Bermudez who was named new comer of the year.

Monte Alto’s Stephanie Trevino brought home offensive player of the year and Alma Medellin from IDEA Frontier was named defensive player of the year.

Lyford’s Emily Gonzalez and Kayleen May were named to the first team and Santa Rosa’s Skyler Torres was the lone Lady Warrior on the first team.

In district 32-2A, San Isidro’s Jenny Garcia was named district MVP. Offensive player of the year was Santa Maria’s Yazmin Cantu and San Perlita’s Meagan Kinney was named defensive player of the year. La Villa’s Bethany Rendon and San Isidro’s Madison Ponce were named co new comers of the year.

On the first team, San Isidro’s Jordan Garcia and Mia Alvarado, San Perlita’s Karime Rojas, Aliyah Garcia, Santa Maria’s Bianca Cantu, Isabel Gonzalez and Michelle Almazan represented the first team.