By KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer

ALICE — All week, San Perlita coach Nataniel Garza had a special feeling.

After his team’s drumming of Benavides earlier this week, it was the same song, different verse for the Trojans.

Four Trojans scored in double figures — led by a game-high 21 points from junior Tige Johnson and senior Julian Herrera’s 17 points — en route to a 99-58 thrashing of Yorktown in their Class 2A area-round playoff game Friday night.

“Throughout the week, there was just a lot of positivity with the team,” Garza said. “I don’t think I have seen them this focused all year and coming into tonight I had complete confidence in them, and they came out on a mission tonight and got it done.”

The Trojans will meet the winner of the Premont-Flatonia game. San Perlita is back in familiar territory, as Garza has the Trojans in the regional quarterfinal round for a third straight year.

“The kids are tired of hearing about us being done in the third round,” Garza said. “We came out blazing tonight, and I’m proud of the way these boys are playing. At one point tonight I sat back and was amazed on just how well they all played together.”

Much like Monday, junior sharpshooter EJ Nieto got the fireworks going with a 3-pointer that set the tone for the night. The Trojans raced out to a 26-7 lead after the first quarter and kept the foot on the gas throughout.

“We feel it right from the tipoff,” Herrera said. “We have been playing with a high level of intensity, and it has shown these last few games. Right now we are back to where we want to be. Last year hurt, and we are ready to get back to work and get over the hump.”

Bryan Herrera hit four 3s and finished with 15 points. Along with a strong performance from the starting five, Gabriel Lopez and Eli Terry provided a spark off the bench. Lopez finished with nine points, and Terry scored five points.

“We are all hungry, we are hungry to win and get back to the third round,” Johnson said. “When guys come in and make plays it just makes us even more dangerous, and on this team anyone can score and have a big night.”

KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer

SANTA ROSA—The Santa Rosa Warriors are alive and well in the postseason. After a win over Falfurrias in the bi-district round. The Warriors are in a very familiar spot, 16 of the last 17 years Santa Rosa has made the area round.

While the team is full of youth and there are no seniors on this year’s squad, junior Adam Cavazos is one returning varsity member who has reached the state tournament.

The Warriors will meet Jourdanton in the class 3A area matchup tonight at 7:30 p.m. at Corpus Christi Ray High School.

The Valley Morning Star got a chance to catch up with Cavazos.

Q: What is it like being back on the team as one of the older guys?

Adam: It feels good, we are teaching them how to play with us. We are showing them how to play quick and fast.

Q: What is the best part about playing basketball for Santa Rosa?

Adam: Honestly it’s the coaching staff, they take care of us.

Q: What is your favorite pre-game meal?

Adam: It would have to be a Snickers bar.

Q: Is basketball your only sport?

Adam: I play basketball, football and baseball and football is my favorite sport.

Q: Who is your favorite NBA player?

Adam: I would say LeBron James, he is the king.

Q: Do you have any superstitions?

Adam: I really don’t have any at all. I just go out there and play, that is how I have always been.

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

Adam: To have money, be taller and to tone up more.

Q: What is your favorite TV show?

Adam: It would have to be Phineas and Ferb,

Q: Who is your favorite super hero?

Adam: The Flash.

Q: What is your dream ticket?

Adam: I would like to go to a Jason Alden concert.

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

Adam: I’m a kid at heart, if you come up to me, I’ll just start messing around and making jokes.

KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer

Los Fresnos and Port Isabel High Schools will join forces for an inaugural round robin tournament.

The tournament, which will kick-off today through Saturday, will be held at both Los Fresnos and Port Isabel High Schools with 10 different clubs scheduled to be competing.

“Everyone will get five games in and is set up to where district opponents won’t play each other,” said Los Fresnos coach Traci Blackmon. “This is more about of us getting games in; there won’t be a winner or loser. We have had to cancel so many games due to weather, so the way we have this set up is each team is guaranteed games.”

Port Isabel, Brownsville Pace, Sharyland High, Brownsville Rivera, Port Isabel, Dilley, Hidalgo, Lyford, Rio Hondo, San Antonio Veterans Memorial and Los Fresnos will all have five games each over the three-day tournament.

Port Isabel will open tournament play with a match up at 11 a.m. against Brownsville Pace at Port Isabel. Sharyland High will meet Brownsville Rivera at 1 p.m. Later in the day, P.I will then meet Dilley at 3 p.m. and Rivera will wrap up play against Dilley at 7 p.m.

At Los Fresnos, Hidalgo has a date with Lyford at 11 a.m., while Rio Hondo will meet San Antonio Veterans at 1 p.m.

Los Fresnos will take on Hidalgo at 3 p.m. and then finish off its day against San Antonio Veterans Memorial at 7 p.m.

“We are 11 games away from our district opener and we are looking for an opportunity to play against some quality teams,” said Rio Hondo coach Brett Esparza. “We are looking to work on our pitching and our approach at the plate. We are excited to be a part of this tournament and will get a chance to play some new teams.”

Elsewhere in the area, Harlingen South and San Benito will hit the road this weekend.

The Lady Hawks will look to continue their strong play as they head west for the Border Olympics tournament, which kicks off today in Laredo.

South will be in Pool 4 and will face Laredo United, Corpus Christi Veterans Memorial, Robstown and Medina Valley.

San Benito, meanwhile, will head north to San Antonio for their tournament play.

The Lady ’Hounds’ first game will be at 9:30 a.m. against Cibolo Steele, followed bya a 1:30 p.m. matchup against Legacy High School. On Friday, San Benito takes the field against Eagle Pass High School at 11:30 a.m., followed by a meeting with Edison at 3:30 p.m.

MARK MOLINA | STAFF WRITER

For the fifth year in a row, the Los Fresnos Falcons have conquered the bi-district round of the postseason.

Now, they have their sights set on conquering the area round of the playoffs, something the Falcons have not been able to do, falling at this point in each of the last four seasons.

Breaking through to the third round once again will prove tough as they face the Laredo Nixon Mustangs, who come in on a seven-game winning streak, including Tuesday’s 83-59 bi-district win over McAllen High.

Though it seems like a daunting task, Los Fresnos head coach Marco Hinojosa said he and his team will simply view this as another goal they have on their preseason list.

“We have goals, when we first started the season,” he said. “One of those was to win a district title and another to win a bi-district championship. Another is to get past that second round hump. It won’t be an easy task with Nixon. Coach Pete Solis Jr. does an amazing job having their kids ready. They press for 32 minutes, they shoot the three and pass the ball very well; it’s very aggressive. We know what we’re going up against. The kids are ready and we’re up for the challenge, because that’s what it is.”

Nixon, who is ranked No. 25 in the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches, defeated Los Fresnos 75-35 back on Dec. 29.

Los Fresnos and Nixon will face off at Alice High School at 8 p.m. Friday night.

Class 5A

The Brownsville Veterans Memorial Chargers are into the second round for the second time in three seasons after defeating the Mission Veterans Memorial Patriots 59-45 in Mission on Tuesday night’s bi-district matchup.

Brownsville Veterans head coach Larry Gibson said his team was feeling good after picking up a road win.

“I think the boys came out of that win feeling confident,” the Chargers coach said. “They had to win a game on the road against a team that plays well at home and has a really good player that tried to beat us and our kids came out victorious. I think the kids feel pretty good about themselves.”

The Chargers had three players in double digits, but none was more surprising than senior Bobby Fisher, who came off the bench for a double-double, recording 16 points and 11 rebounds.

Justin Anaya also had 16 points, followed by Kelly Davis with 12.

“Justin Anaya has led us in scoring all year, but (Fisher) came off the bench the other night and had an excellent game,” Gibson said. “He had a double-double and that was a big surprise when we needed a kid to step up. Usually when you get a kid off that bench and plays like that, it’s a big thing. Kelly Davis has averaged 10 points and about four or five rebounds this season and has been the glue that holds us together. He’s probably one of our better defenders. I call him my glue stick, because he holds us together.”

Up next for the Chargers (31-6) is a date with the Flour Bluff Hornets (21-8) at H.M. King High School in Kingsville at 8 p.m.

Flour Bluff defeated King 66-50 in Tuesday night’s bi-district round for its fourth straight win.

For the Chargers, having to keep up with the Hornets’ athleticism will be his team’s biggest obstacle come Friday night.

“I feel (Flour Bluff) is a very quick team and very athletic,” Gibson said. “I think we need to try and control the tempo because they love to get up and down the floor. I think we have to get the tempo at our pace and make them play our game, instead of their game.”

Class 3A

The Santa Rosa Warriors are no stranger to the postseason and postseason success.

Tuesday night’s 72-60 win over Falfurrias was the Warriors 16th bi-district victory in the last 17 seasons.

In that span, the Warriors have made the regional quarterfinals 13 times, the regional tournament nine times and the state tournament three times.

Santa Rosa will aim for their 14th regional quarterfinals appearance under head coach Johnny Cipriano when they face Jourdanton in Friday night’s area round scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at Corpus Christi Ray High School.

Class 2A

District 32-2A can hold its head up high as the San Perlita Trojans, San Isidro Tigers and the Santa Maria Cougars all advanced to the area round.

The Trojans defeated Benavides 100-37 on Monday night, San Isidro defeated Agua Dulce 52-41 and Santa Maria narrowly defeated Freer 61-58.

All three will be in action this week.

San Perlita will face Yorktown at 6:00 p.m. in Alice and Santa Maria will face Port Aransas at 6:30 p.m. in Bishop. Both matchups will be Friday.

San Isidro will be take on Weimar at Sinton High School in Sinton at 7 p.m. on Thursday night.

By Kevin Narro | Staff Writer

EDCOUCH-ELSA — On a night when all eyes were on Edinburg High and Harlingen High, senior Jenessah Santa Maria led the charge for the Lady Bobcats with a game-high 15 points as they dominated the Lady Cardinals 54-34 on Tuesday night in the Class 6A regional quarterfinals, punching their ticket to the Sweet 16.

Edinburg High next meets San Antonio Clark at 6 p.m. Friday at the Northside Gym in San Antonio.

After a slow start to the first quarter, Edinburg High led 8-7 until the Lady Bobcats caught fire and went on a 20-0 run that pushed their lead 30-9 late in the second quarter. Santa Maria hit a pair of 3s as Edinburg High outscored Harlingen High 22-4 in the second quarter.

That quarter served as the knockout blow for the Lady Bobcats, as they controlled the rest of the night with Harlingen High struggling from the floor.

For the Lady Cards, seniors Ariel Leal scored a team-high 13 points, Taegan Dickey scored 10 points and Andrea Cortez finished with seven points.

“We were not aggressive on the offensive end, we stood very passive and we expected something to happen for us,” Harlingen High coach Ashley Moncivaiz said.

“We couldn’t make anything happen and they came down and were aggressive, and that is where we got killed, and anything they got aggressive on, they got the calls and they were able to get the momentum.” Moncivaiz said.

The Lady Cardinals end the season with a 31-6 record. They reached 30 wins for a third time under fifth-year coach Moncivaiz. Harlingen High also hoisted its third district title in five years and reached the third round of the playoffs for a second time under Moncivaiz.

“This means so much to me to be able to play for the Lady Cardinals,” Dickey said. “I know I can say I gave it my 100 percent every year. To be able to wear my jersey one more time, it means everything to me. Coach told us she loves us and she is proud of us, and for us not to be too down on ourselves, that we accomplished a lot this season.”

Harlingen High will lose Dickey, Leal, Cortez, Alyssa Cervantes and Bianca Rodriguez to graduation, all of whom had a key hand in the season. Overall, the team loses nine seniors.

“At first it was a little bit of a struggle because we had to get everyone on the same page,” Leal said. “We had to get the younger girls used to the system but we eventually got everything going and we got things done, and even though it didn’t end the way we wanted (it) to, we reached most of our goals.”

The future remains bright for Harlingen High. Alyssa Salas will return for her senior year. Sydney Potillo, Emery Scoggins, Avery Hinojosa, Alexus Cotto and Callie Cervantes are all slated to return.

“This was a great year for us, and the way they girls competed,” Moncivaiz said. “From last year to this year, you can see a complete change. Our future is bright with what we have returning, and with what we will be adding next year (it) is going to be really good for us.”

By KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer

SAN PERLITA — San Perlita senior Noah Olivarez used one word to describe this year’s senior class: special.

With the regular season wrapped up and a second straight district title under their belts, San Perlita’s five seniors — Olivarez, Bryan Herrera, Julian Herrera, Parker Willis and Frank Rincon — are set for their final playoff run.

The five grew up together from pre-K through their high school years. Growing up, all they have ever done was play basketball and text each other at 3 a.m. to meet at the court to play basketball.

“We moved up together and played ball growing up,” Olivarez said. “Playing with these guys is so much fun and it is special. I remember playing late at night, that is all we would do. This is a great group, there are not many schools out there that put in the work that we do, and (we) push each other. Some teams revolve around one player, but that is not us, we play as one.”

Olivarez is a three-year letterman, Bryan Herrera has been for two years, Ricon for one and Willis for two.

The senior group has put together a strong resume the past few seasons. Along with the back-to-back district titles, San Perlita has also brought home a bi-district and area round trophy the past two seasons and has put together a 33-5 district record during the past four seasons.

For senior Julian Herrera, playing with this group and for the Trojans is something he wears on his sleeve.

“I always have had my dad’s passion for this game,” Julian said. “I have been able to carry that on for him and my family. I have always played physical, that is something I just grew up with when I played growing up. We have what it takes to go far. We fell short last year, but we are ready to get going.”

What makes this unit just as special is, since current coach Nataniel Garza’s arrival at San Perlita, all he has known is this group of seniors. From their freshman year till now, Garza has seen them grow up through the program on and off the court.

“This is a tight-knit group, they play well and love one another,” Garza said. “This is the first senior group that I have been able to see all four years. They mean a lot to me not only because of that, but I have seen them grown up. I remember when they were just freshman, they were a lot smaller and raw. Over the years they developed, and it will be emotional to see this group graduate.”

The Trojans might not have the bells and whistles of a Class 5A or 6A program, but they have begun to create a winning culture under Garza and have helped the likes of Santa Rosa by putting small-school basketball on the map.

“I have a great relationship with Coach Garza,” Bryan Herrera said. “He knows how to teach us how to play basketball, and he has us prepared each week. This community here is great. They come out and support us every game. Just because we are not a big program, we still have the same amount of support and we have just as much passion.”

The Trojans will begin their playoff journey at 7 p.m. tonight against Benavides in the Class 2A bi-district round at Falfurrias.

By KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer

CORPUS CHRISTI — Exactly one year ago today, Harlingen High’s season ended in the area round in heartbreaking fashion against South San Antonio.

On Friday night, the Lady Cardinals exorcised their demons.

Seniors Andrea Cortez and Taegan Dickey provided the spark during the final minutes, and Dickey laid in the go-ahead bucket to give Harlingen High a 57-55 win over Laredo Alexander in the Class 6A area round playoffs at Corpus Christi Carroll.

“It was something we talked about, and we did not want the same thing to happen this year,” Harlingen High coach Ashley Moncivaiz said. “We pushed all season long to be ready for this moment.”

Dickey scored a team-high 17 points, Alyssa Cervantes finished with 10 and Ariel Leal netted nine for the Lady Cards. Harlingen High next meets Edinburg High, with the time and place to be decided.

“I think what made a difference was our schedule and how we pushed all year long,” Moncivaiz said. “The bottom line is, you always have to be pushing your conditioning. Down the stretch we had girls play right through.”

All night, Laredo Alexander and Harlingen High exchanged leads. Each team led by as much as five during the contest. The Lady Bulldogs entered the fourth quarter on a 6-0 run and held a 47-42 lead.

Cortez came up big in the final minutes, tying the game at 53 and then, after a steal, dishing the ball to Bianca Rodriguez, who gave the Lady Cards a 55-53 lead.

“(Andrea) came out of nowhere,” Moncivaiz said. “It was her turn to step up and help the team. She went out there and did what she needed to do, and she became more aggressive.”

Cortez, the team’s defensive specialist, credited the Lady Cards’ defensive effort and toughness down the stretch.

“Coach told us we had six minutes left. Us seniors didn’t want this to be over,” Cortez said. “Defensively, we had to bring it, and I thought we played tough defense. For us to make it back to the third round since my freshman year is very special.”

Harlingen High is back in the third round of the playoffs for the first time since the 2015-16 season.

“I’m really just all over the place right now,” Dickey said. “I’m so proud of my team and what we were able to do tonight. We were down in the fourth quarter and us seniors we knew we needed to step up and make a play, and we were able to do that.”

MARK MOLINA | STAFF WRITER

Hanna goalkeeper Valeria Perez knew exactly what collegiate program she wanted to be at after her high school career was all said and done.

And when several offers from other programs came the senior’s way this school year, she decided to hold out hope that the right one would eventually come.

That patience would pay off and Perez’s dream was made official as she signed her letter of intent to play soccer with Southwestern University in Georgetown during a ceremony Thursday afternoon at Hanna High School.

“ It’s blessing (to sign) honestly,” the Hanna goalkeeper said. “I’ve been working so hard, especially trying to go to (Southwestern); they were the last ones to give me an offer. It was a really tough process and I wanted to give up at times, but I’m glad I was able to make it and be here today. I’m really excited to see what the future holds with this school.”

Perez will join the Southwestern Pirates playing in NCAA Division III’s Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference and plans to study kinesiology.

Being able to play out a new chapter of her playing career in Georgetown was important as Perez felt the pairing fit like a glove after taking in the town, campus and everything else Southwestern had to offer.

So being able to finally put ink to paper brought relief after a mentally challenging recruiting process.

“ It was really tough,” she said. “Some schools never replied and some schools didn’t have interest in me. It wasn’t until this year that I got multiple offers. It was hard to find the right fit financially, athletically and academically. It’s all mental toughness. You have to be able to process everything. It was really hard towards the end, but I’m glad with what I’m sticking with now.”

Hanna head soccer coach Eliseo Guzman said Perez is as tough as they come as a goalie, but also brings a solid work ethic to everything she does.

It’s that work ethic that has the Hanna coach believing his goalkeeper can tough it out in college and even beyond.

“ She has a lot of potential, but she brings the right attitude to be part of a team and determination,” Guzman said. “I know it will be tough at the beginning, but she has the potential to be there and grow a lot as a goalie. I have seen her growing and growing this year. Over the next two years I think she’ll grow to be able to play well at the college level and even as a professional because she has a lot of potential.”

Perez has been at the varsity level since she was a freshman, when she was a starter and named a second team all-district player, but had her next two seasons derailed due to injuries.

She suffered an ankle injury as a freshmen and a collarbone injury as a junior.

Now, Perez believes she is at the top of her game and plans to make up for those seasons in a big way.

“ It was tough, especially last year with my collarbone,” she said. “I was supposed to out for a long time and they said I wouldn’t be back the same. That just pushed me to work harder and I see myself at my peak right now. I think I’m playing my best season that I’ve ever had. I’m hoping to come back for everything like All-Metro goalkeeper, hopefully playoffs and maybe all-state keeper as well.”

KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer

HARLINGEN—Harlingen High Junior diver Amber Warner has put together quite a junior season.

Earlier this year, she set a pool diving record during the Winter Splash Bash Invitational and is now heading back to the state meet for a second straight year.

“Going back to state, I’ll be able to see new divers and new competition,” said Warner. “It will be good and I’m sure I will see some familiar faces up there as well.”

At the regional meet, Warner finished in first place in the 1-meter dive with a score of 365.40. Along with the first place finish, Warner was tabbed the Regional diver of the meet.

“Last year, I was very nervous because I didn’t know what to expect,” said Warner. “Now, going into the meet this year I feel more confident. The most exciting thing is being able to travel with my team and to be able to prepare for the meet.”

What is most impressive is Warner’s time on the diving board. She is in her third year of diving and has already made two trips to the state meet.

“I was in gymnastics for eight years and I found out about diving through some friends,” said Warner. “So my mom pushed me into diving, I got into it and now it is my sport.”

Over the last few days, Warner is looking to focus on her technique and working on her dives. Along with her experience, Warner feels a step ahead this year as a junior.

“I feel I have improved from last year to this year,” Warner said. “The talent at the state level is amazing; some of those divers end up at the Olympics. I do enjoy the competition. It is a little intimidating but I’m ready.”

Warner is also the lone Harlingen diver to represent her team at the state meet.

“I’m proud to be able to represent my school; this is my home town.” Warner said.

KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer

HARLINGEN—Senior Cassandra Vela and Junior Mae Kennedy not only qualified for this year’s state swimming meet, but they made history along the way.

Both Vela and Kennedy are the first divers from Harlingen South to reach the state meet.

“This is my first time competing overall,” Kennedy said. “Last year, I went to the state meet but I just went to watch and now that I’m going, I’m excited. It was a long season and very nerve wracking, but in the end, I’m glad I made it.”

As the day draws near, Kennedy feels some nerves but is still confident.

“Right now, we are going through our dives and making sure everything is spot on, even the smallest details,” She said. “We are making sure we have that covered and we perfect those day by day.”

Kennedy began her diving career when she was in eighth grade and will be making her state debut today in Austin.

“I’m most excited that I’ll be able to compete with my team,” Kennedy said. “Last year, we only had one of us make it and this year, four of us will be there and we are all in it together.”

Vela, meanwhile, began her diving career as a freshman and like many other divers, began as a gymnast and made the transition to the boards.

“I was in gymnastics all my life and when I got into diving, I was able to use all the skills I learned and was able to use it in diving,” she said. “I saw it really interesting and I have heard that many great divers come from a gymnastics background.”

Vela also will make her debut at the state meet this weekend and feels much more confident and prepared as a senior.

“Last year I was afraid to try new dives and overall I was just scared,” she said. “This year I tried new things and I gained confidence. When I saw that I qualified, I felt so excited and relieved. The first years I didn’t make it and for me to make it now, as a senior, I’m ready to experience it all before I graduate.”