KEVIN NARRO | Valley Morning Star

San Perlita sophomore Tige Johnson has had a strong 2017-18 campaign for the Trojans.

The 6-foot-6 center has had a hand in San Perlita’s undefeated district run and dropped a career high 30 points in the team’s bi-district playoff win earlier this week.

The monster performance helped Johnson pick up this week’s Valley Morning Star boys Player of the Week award.

“It’s an honor to win player of the week,” Johnson said shortly before the Trojans were to take on Falls City in an area-round playoff game at Alice High School on Thursday. He scored 16 points the win.

“I have to thank my teammates for helping me get to where I’m at,” he added.

In the second quarter against Benavides on Monday, Johnson caught fire and scored 14 of his 30 points and helped fuel a 108 outburst from the Trojans.

“It hit me after the game that I had scored a career high,” he said. “It was an amazing feeling being able to help my team pick up a win.”

KEVIN NARRO | Valley Morning Star

SAN PERLITA — The Intensity level was palpable throughout the San Perlita gym Wednesday afternoon. The fast-paced Trojans will look to keep that intensity going into their Class 2A area-round matchup against Falls City tonight.

Intensity, in fact, is something that has been preached since day one by coach Nataniel Garza.

“Bringing the intensity is huge for us because of the style of play we have,” Garza said. “I think there is no other way to play but with a high intensity. With the way we play, we can’t afford to come out flat because of our style. We need to bring the intensity.”

The Trojans are hot off a district and bi-district title, and are now hungry for more when they face Falls City tonight at Alice High School. Ti-poff scheduled for 7.

In their bi-district win against Benavides on Monday, the Trojans dropped 108 points in the win with Tige Johnson scoring 30 points and E.J. Nieto finishing with 19. San Perlita is hoping for a mirror-image performance tonight.

Seniors Victor Galvan and Jaime Zallar have played a key role in the Trojans’ success this season. Both Galvan and Zallar have been in this spot before as last year the Trojans reached the third round and bowed out to Port Aransas.

“This is the most fun we can have as a team,” Galvan said. “It’s the greatest feeling to be a part of this team, and winning a district title and making a playoff run. On Monday, I thought we passed and shot the ball well. We have to bring everything we have tonight and I know we’re ready. We went three deep last year and that experience is helping us this year.”

San Perlita will face a strong and physical Beavers team that is coming off a 48-41 win against a tough Gervin Academy squad.

“I’m having as much fun as I can with such a great group of guys,” said Zallar. “We have done a lot since the start of the season. The offseason and non-district was tough, but it prepared us for the playoffs. This year we’re hoping to make a deeper playoff run. We have had a good week of practice, but at first we thought we were playing Friday but that didn’t happen. Either way we’re ready.”

KEVIN NARRO | Valley Morning Star

HARLINGEN — Two of the Valley’s best pass rushers are headed to the college level.

Harlingen South’s Brandon Bennett and Sky Tatum both signed letters of intent Wednesday to play football at Texas Lutheran University in Seguin. Tatum will also run track.

“It’s exciting to see both of them go to the next level,” said Hawks football coach Brian Ricci. “They’re both very exciting players to watch and they’re similar players size wise, and with what they can do on the football field. But I’m more impressed with the way they conduct themselves off the field and in the classroom. I think they will be a big asset and TLU is lucky to have them.”

Bennett began varsity football as a sophomore and became one of the Valley’s top defensive ends. He also played basketball during his four years at South and plans to get a bachelor’s degree in engineering and pursue a master’s in business administration.

“I liked the atmosphere and the program is up and coming,” Bennett said of TLU. “I’m excited to be a part of a program that is up and coming. I’m going to stick to defensive end because that’s where they will keep me. Ever since I picked up a football, I wanted to play at the next level.”

Tatum was also excited on Wednesday and ready to take his athletic talents to Seguin.

“I liked the location and the coaching staff was great. I’ll be able to play both of the sports I love and I’ll be going to college with one of my best friends,” he said. “Being able to play with Brandon at the next level is going to be fun. We talked about it together and we knew it was the right fit for us. TLU has a pre-engineering program that I wanted to attend and that is what I plan on majoring in.”

This season both Bennett and Tatum were named first-team all-district along with being named to the Valley Morning Star’s All-STAR first-team defense.

KEVIN NARRO | Valley Morning Star

EDINBURG — For the first time in more than a month, the Harlingen Cardinals were back at full strength and it showed in a 66-48 drumming of Edinburg North in a Class 6A bi-district playoff game Tuesday night.

The Cardinals will now face McAllen Memorial in the area round of the postseason later this week.

Big Red welcomed back seniors Jeremy Vasquez and Rene Castillo, who had both been sidelined with injuries. Vasquez contributed with eight points.

“It felt good to come back,” Vasquez said. “I feel like I didn’t miss a beat. Once I was cleared, I was ready to go, and ready to get back on the court and help my team. As a senior, this is special because I hadn’t played in a playoff game until tonight and winning a playoff game is special with this team.”

The Cards used their size and length to their advantage. Big man Matthew Sesler scored a team high 16 points while Michael Arellano directed traffic and weaved his way through the Cougar defense and walked away with 13 points.

The Cardinals didn’t waste any time by starting off on an 11-3 run and pushed their lead to 19-11 off a Kamreyn Gonzalez 3 ball. Harlingen outscored the Cougars 22-10 in the second period and held a comfortable 36-18 lead at the break.

“The kids did well and it was nice to have a full team; we hadn’t had that in awhile,” said Cardinals coach Greg Yates. “Jeremy and Rene came off the bench for us and it added some power to our team. Michael does his thing; he plays very well on both offense and defense and he makes us go, there’s no doubt about that.”

In the fourth quarter, the Cardinals’ defense clamped down and yielded just 11 points.

Now for the third time this season, Harlingen will play McAllen Memorial with both teams splitting the season series one game each.

“They’re a tough team,” Vasquez said of Memorial. “It’s going to be a challenge for us, but we need to play together and as a team, the way we did tonight.”

KEVIN NARRO | Valley Morning Star

MISSION — The San Benito Lady Hounds went 4-1 in tournament play, defeated Harlingen South 6-3 in the semifinals and went onto to beat Edinburg North 3-1 on Saturday in the Club Bracket Championship of the Mission Fastpitch Tournament.

Senior Joanna Gonzalez received all-tournament honors.

“I feel great, this was my last Mission tournament and I had fun with my team, and I’ll always remember being a part of this tournament,” Gonzalez said. “Playing against Edinburg was fun. I have friends on that team and I loved the intensity that we brought.”

En route to their win, the Lady Hounds picked up wins against Laredo Nixon, PSJA High, South and Edinburg North. San Benito’s only blemish came against Edinburg High.

“I think our team was put under some pressure situations throughout the tournament,” said San Benito coach Denise Lira. “The girls kept fighting, and they continued to fight and that is something you can’t coach all the time. It is something that comes from within them and that they bring every day. As a coaching staff, we’re happy to have a team that keeps fighting.”

In the semis, it was a District 32-6A preview between Harlingen South and San Benito. The Lady Hawks were looking to rebound after a 6-0 loss to Weslaco High on Friday while San Benito was also coming off its loss to Edinburg.

The Lady Hawks capitalized early with a three-run first inning that was led by a Kayla Rogers two-run single.

The Lady Hounds answered with a three-run inning of their own in the bottom half of the frame. Sarah Garcia laced in a two-out game-tying double to lead the charge.

In the second inning, a go-ahead Jordan Ramos RBI single gave the Lady Hounds the lead as the offense tacked on two more runs in the third inning to seal the 6-3 win.

In the finals against Edinburg North, San Benito relied on its veterans aces Gonzalez and Garcia, who pitched a complete game allowing just one run on three hits.

Gonzalez also provided a two-run go-ahead single in the third inning that gave the Lady Hounds a 3-1 lead. Garcia did the rest by retiring the final nine batters she faced.

“Overall, the hits came when they needed to and they came through in clutch situations,” Lira said. “Different girls made key plays through-out the weekend for us and right now it is looking very promising for us.”

HARLINGEN SOUTH, HARLINGEN AND RIO HONDO FAIR WELL: The Lady Hawks finished the tournament with a 2-2 record. South got off to a strong start by beating PSJA Southwest and McAllen Memorial. But after the 2-0 start, South dropped its final two games against district opponents Weslaco and San Benito.

The Lady Hawks will now continue its non-district play on Tuesday against PSJA Memorial.

Harlingen High also finished with a 2-2 outing. The Lady Cards fell to Mercedes in their tournament opener on Thursday then rebounded with a win against PSJA North. On Friday, Harlingen fell to Weslaco East 2-0 and on Saturday Big Red finished with a 5-1 win against Browns-ville Rivera.

The Lady Cards will now prepare for the Brownsville Tournament later this weekend.

Finally, Rio Hondo ended tournament play with a 2-2 mark and collected wins against Sharyland Pioneer and Weslaco East. On Friday the Lady Cats dropped a game to Mercedes before falling in the semifinals to Edinburg North on Saturday.

Up next for Rio Hondo is rematch with Edinburg North on Tuesday.

KEVIN NARRO | Valley Morning Star

CORPUS CHRISTI — The Harlingen Lady Cardinals’ season came to a heartbreaking end Friday night as they let a 63-55 fourth-quarter lead slip away in a Class 6A area-round playoff game against South San Antonio.

Harlingen controlled the tempo and led until the final seconds of regulation when South San’s Rhiannon Gamez hit a game-tying 3-pointer that sent the game into overtime at 72-72.

The Lady Cards were 10 of 18 from the free-throw line in the fourth period and in overtime, and the missed free shots proved to be costly as they fell 83-78.

“It was a tough loss against a team that finished in the end,” said Harlingen coach Ashley Moncivaiz. “Down the stretch the free throws hurt us. It was one of those things that we talked about that needed to be on point. It’s one of those things that you can prepare for, but need to execute in the game.”

The Lady Cards trailed only early on in the contest and used a 9-1 run to grab a 22-14 lead late in the first half.

Senior Nadia Flores gave the Lady Cards a quick four-point swing followed by an Alyssa Cervantes bucket.

The Lady Cards rode the momentum of the early run and used an Andrea Cortez 3-pointer with one second left in the second period to take a 37-32 lead at the break.

Just like in the first half, Harlingen broke the press, made its shots and controlled the tempo for much of the second half. Four Lady Cards finished in double figures. Julieann Garza led the way with 19 points, Flores netted 16, Alyssa Cervantes had 13 and Taegan Dickey scored 10.

“We just played our game, we contained and we did some good things on offense,” Moncivaiz said. “One of the things that hurt us was we got in foul trouble. They (South San) hit free throws and we missed free throws.”

Harlingen will return all of its key starters with Flores and Garza being the only starting seniors. Cervantes, Dickey, Ariel Leal and Cortez will all return next season.

“It’s exciting to see all my starting group back except for two,” Moncivaiz said. “These girls worked hard all year and on Monday we will get back to work. You hope to go long and the girls wanted it, but we just came up short.”

FLORES WRAPS UP STELLAR CAREER AT HARLINGEN: Nadia Flores spent the last four seasons running up and down the court with swagger and confidence. The senior wrapped up what was a solid career as a Lady Cardinal.

“She has had a major impact on our program,” Moncivaiz said of Flores. “You look at her size and she can score from anywhere on the court. She showed in the playoffs that she is willing to adjust her game. She is a different type of player that the girls look up to and want to be.”

Flores finished with 16 points in her final game and is now looking forward to the next chapter.

“It was the best four years of my life and I wouldn’t change anything about it,” Flores said. “It’s heartbreaking that this was my last game and the way it ended, but I know God has a plan for me and my life. I know there will be different things in my life that I will have to face and this is one of those things I have to get past and it was a hell of a ride.”

Flores began her career at Harlingen as a freshman when Moncivaiz took over as head coach.

“She has always been there for me and she is like a second mom to me,” Flores said of her coach. “I wouldn’t want any other coach but her. I have so much respect for her because she was there for me, and I appreciate and love her very much.”

KEVIN NARRO | Valley Morning Star

MISSION — The 24th annual Mission Fastpitch softball tournament got underway Thursday and San Benito, Harlingen South and Rio Hondo picked up day-one wins while Harlingen fell in their tournament opener.

Action will continue today through Saturday.

HARLINGEN SOUTH: The Lady Hawks got their tournament play off on the right foot with a 17-0 shutout win over PSJA Southwest.

The trio of Kaitylnn De La Fuente, Kelsey Rivera and Krystal Gonzales provided the pop at the plate as they combined for seven runs on seven hits.

South wasted no time by taking advantage of Southwest’s miscues and scored seven runs in the first inning. The big frame was highlighted by a Melba Rodriguez two-run RBI double and a bases-clearing triple by De La Fuente, who went 2 for 3 with two runs. Rivera, meanwhile, was a perfect 3 for 3 with three runs and a pair of singles. Gonzales capped it off by going 2 for 2 with two RBIs.

South will now play McAllen Memorial at 9 this morning.

RIO HONDO: The Lady Bobcats’ offense didn’t waste any time getting runs across the plate as Nayeli Garcia and Dominique De Jesus drove in a combined four runs in the first inning in a 6-3 win over Weslaco East.

The Lady Wildcats did not go away quietly, however, as they scored one run in the second and used an Amanda Aguirre two-run homer to try to rally.

“Coming into this first week we want to be healthy,” said Rio Hondo coach Brett Esparza. “We got bit by the injury bug a little bit, but we get to see some of the younger girls get some playing time. The good thing is the younger girls have been stepping up and we have three freshmen staring, and it’s just a matter of putting the pieces together and finding a way for the kids to gel.”

Up next for the Lady Cats is a game against Sharyland Pioneer at 10:30 a.m. today.

HARLINGEN HIGH: The Lady Cardinals could not capitalize on a bases-loaded opportunity in the first inning against Mercedes and it eventually made a difference as the Lady Tigers used a four-run third to pick up a 5-2 win.

Emily Garcia provided the lone run for the Lady Cards with a solo homer in the second inning.

Harlingen will now meet Laredo Alexander at noon.

“This is what I like about tournaments and this is where we will learn because we get to see different teams that are not in our district, so it’s a good practice for us,” said Harlingen coach Nora Aguilar.

SAN BENITO: Senior Joanna Gonzalez swatted a pair of doubles and scored three runs as San Benito blanked Laredo Nixon 17-0 in their tournament opener. Gonzalez finished the night 3 for 3.

The Lady Hounds’ offense erupted for a seven-run first inning and didn’t look back from there.

The offense picked up 12 hits in the contest, batted around twice and scored 10 runs in the second inning.

Jordan Ramos went 2 for 3 while the top of the order Audrey Huerta and Deztiny Hernandez went a combined 3 for 4 with four runs.

The Lady Hounds will now meet PSJA at noon. San Benito has won the last two tournament titles and three in the past five years.

“Tonight the girls showed discipline at the plate and put together some quality at bats,” said San Benito coach Denise Lira. “They did a great job of putting the runs together. Megan Cavazos did a great job for us in the circle. She kept the hitters off balance and she has been working hard in practice, and it showed tonight.”

KEVIN NARRO | Valley Morning Star

SAN BENITO — San Benito Lady Hounds powerlifter Leann Ramirez has had a successful high school athletic career. She is now guaranteed to continue it into the next level as she signed a letter of intent Thursday morning to lift at the University of Texas at San Antonio.

“Being a part of a collegiate team has always been a dream of mine,” she said. “I have always been involved in sports since I was 5 years old and as soon as I picked up powerlifting, I knew it was something I wanted to do and I set my goals high to accomplish great things.”

Since Ramirez stepped onto the powerlifting scene as freshman, she’s turned heads. In each of her four years, she qualified for the Texas high school woman’s powerlifting meet.

This past season, she was the regional champion and broke the total weight record of 1,085 pounds at the state meet. She also tied for first with a total weight of 1,070. and even broke the record in the bench press by lifting 245 pounds.

Ramirez has also qualified for nationals, which takes place in Washington. Her goal is to one day qualify for the USA Powerlifting Team.

“I’m really excited to get out of my comfort zone and experience life away from the Valley,” she said. “I’m beyond excited to compete in my first collegiate meet next year.”

Ramirez plans to major in biology and get into medical school and specialize in sports medicine.

“Some challenges I think will be being away from home. I have a close relationship with my mom, but as far as my studies go I will continue to work hard in all my classes.”

KEVIN NARRO | Valley Morning Star

The Harlingen Cardinals basketball team begins its playoff journey on Tuesday at Edinburg North. The Cards finished the District 32-6A season with a 9-5 record and are now looking to make a deep playoff run.

A big reason for the Cardinals’ success is junior point guard Michael Arellano, who is the Valley Morning Star’s boys Player of the Week for the second time this year.

“It’s an honor to be the player of the week again,” Arellano said. “I couldn’t have done it without my teammates because they have helped me make plays all year.”

Arellano led the team in scoring this season by averaging 19 points per game.

Last Friday against Harlingen South, Arellano led a Cardinals comeback as he netted 10 fourth-quarter points and hit four critical free throws to help seal a win for the Red Birds. Arellano finished the contest with a game high 24 points.

And on Tuesday, despite a loss to Brownsville Rivera, Harlingen clinched a playoff berth as Arellano led the way with 27 points.

“I’m excited to have a chance to play in the playoffs with my team. We have been working hard since last year and our main focus this year was to make the playoffs, and we reached that goal.” Arellano said.

KEVIN NARRO | Valley Morning Star

The 2018 Texas high school basketball playoffs begin next week. District 32-6A proved to be one of the toughest districts in the Valley this season followed by district 31-6A. The two districts will meet Tuesday in the bi-district round.

DESPITE INJURIES AND LOSS, CARDS CLINCH PLAYOFF BERTH: After missing the postseason last year, Big Red qualified for the big dance on Tuesday even though they fell to Brownsville Rivera in their regular-season finale.

The Cards ended the season with a 9-5 District 32-6A record and enter the playoffs as the fourth seed. They travel will now face Edinburg North in a Class 6A bi-district round game on Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Edinburg.

The Cards are hoping to get the services of Jeremy Vasquez and Rene Castillo back into the starting lineup. Matthew Sesler returned to the lineup last Friday and also played in Tuesday’s game.

Junior Michael Arellano has provided the spark in the Cardinals offense all season long as he averaged 19 points per game this year and is looking to build off a 27-point performance against Rivera.

HAWKS JUST MISS OUT ON POSTSEASON: Harlingen South coach Brian Molina is in unfamiliar territory.

In his 19-year coaching career, he had never missed the playoffs. That is until now.

Molina spent seven years as an assistant at Weslaco High before taking the head coaching gig at South, and for the first time in his 12 years as South’s coach, the Hawks failed to qualify for the playoffs.

“It’s bittersweet because anytime you win 20-plus games you’re expected to make the playoffs,” he said. “We didn’t meet our expectations and having this group for the last four years, it’s hard to say goodbye. I’m really proud of what they did here at South and the legacy they left behind.”

Despite not making the playoffs, the Hawks finished with a respectable 8-6 league record. The Hawks will lose a core of seniors in Aaron Briones, Chanz Love, Sean Turrubiates and Brandon Bennett. However, the Hawks will bring back sharp shooter Grant Lowery and big man Brady Bennett.

LYFORD, SAN PERLITA PREPARING FOR POSTSEASON: Lyford will wrap up the regular season with a matchup against Edinburg IDEA Quest on Friday. If Lyford is able to pick up a win, the Dogs will play Santa Gertrudis in the bi-district round at 6 p.m. on Tuesday at Bishop High School.

Meanwhile, San Perlita claimed the outright District 32-2A title with a perfect 8-0 league record and will now play Monday at Kingsville High against Benavides with the tipoff scheduled for 8 p.m.