Football and Texas. More often than not they are mentioned like a 1-2 punch. Each is synonymous with the other and Rio Grande Valley football players continue to make huge strides in bringing recognition, and some major wins, to South Texas. Below are the nominees for the All Valley Football Player of the Year. Winners will be announced June 13 at the All Valley Sports Awards Banquet, co-presented by DHR Health and Lone Star National Bank. Nominees are listed in alphabetical order.

Landry Gilpin, Mission Veterans, senior: Gilpin, a quarterback, was named Mr. Texas Football Player of the Year.

Gilpin threw for 4,544 passing yards and 50 touchdown passes while also rushing for 2,112 yards and 32 touchdowns. He was also named the Associated Press Sports Editors Class 5A Offensive Player of the Year and was named to the Class 5A all-state football team.

Gilpin’s best moment of the year took place in the Patriots’ 62-55 win in their Class 5A Division I regional semifinal against the previously undefeated Corpus Christi Veterans Eagles on Dec. 1 at The Alamodome in San Antonio.

In the game, Gilpin threw for 445 yards and five touchdowns while he rushed for 267 yards and two more touchdowns. His efforts helped propel Mission Veterans into the fourth round of the playoffs for the first time in school history.

Cesar Mancias, Brownsville Hanna, senior: Mancias, a running back. was the top offensive option for the Hanna Golden Eagles team that captured an undefeated District 32-6A title and broke through to the third round of the playoffs for the first time in school history.

Mancias was named the District and All-Metro MVP. Mancias rushed for 1,547 yards on 226 carries with 17 touchdowns. He also caught 19 passes for 203 yards and two more touchdowns.

Jacob Posas, Raymondville, senior: Raymondville’s senior QB Jacob Posas did not disappoint. The senior ran and threw for over 1,000 yards and helped lead the Bearkats to a 32-4A district title along with a bi-district win in the playoffs.

The banquet, hosted by RGVSports.com and AIM Media Texas in conjunction with the RGV Sports Hall of Fame, will see 33 awards presented to athletes, coaches and teams across all 12 UIL sports. The prestigious Tom Landry Award of Excellence will honor a student athlete for outstanding achievements.

Dallas Cowboys great Randy White, a Super Bowl MVP and NFL Hall of Famer, will be the guest speaker.

The banquet, which will run approximately 6 to 8 p.m., returns to Mario’s for a second consecutive year. The venue has a seating capacity of more than 500 people.

Tickets will be on sale soon at a cost of $40 per person. For sponsorship opportunities, call Marcia Kitten at (956) 683-4463 or send an email to [email protected].

Volleyball is a fast-growing sport, both among spectators and players. Volleyball players are training and competing year round as many of the girls who play it in the fall continue training for club and travel teams in the winter and spring, and then leagues, camps and showcases in the summer.

That commitment to the sport is shown by the Valley’s teams when they compete across the state in preseason tournaments and then the playoffs.

Below are the nominees for the All-Valley Volleyball Player of the Year. Winners will be announced June 13 at the All Valley Sports Awards Banquet, co-presented by Lone Star National Bank and DHR Health. Nominees are listed in alphabetical order.

Jackie Alanis, McAllen Rowe, senior: The back-to-back Monitor Player of the Year is fierce. Getting in front of her spike often spells bad news, mainly because in her four seasons Alanis has learned how to hit around, over or through the blocks with experience – and a whole lot of power. She recorded 890 kills and carried the load on offense for the Warriors. She will continue her volleyball career at Nicholls State in Thibodaux, Louisiana.

Jocelyn Everage, McAllen Memorial, senior: If there was an award out there, Jocelyn’s skills both on and off the court usually made her a candidate. She was the district 30-6A MVP; led the team to a Sweet 16 appearance and was named to the Texas Girls Coaches Association Class 6A All-State Volleyball Team (the only all-stater from the Valley). Jocelyn amassed 1,300-plus career kills and as a senior tallied 533 kills, 63 blocks, 30 aces and a high .377 hitting percentage. She led the Mustangs to 40-4 record, 14-0 in district. She played a large role in the Mustrange winning four straight district titles.

Jackie Howell, Mission Veterans, senior: Four years, four district titles – four undefeated district seasons. The senior district MVP recorded 728 kills to eclipse 1,000 in her career. Her hitting percentage was at a staggering .499 and she was a big reason the team was ranked in the top five in Class 5A in the state.

The banquet, hosted by RGVSports.com and AIM Media Texas in conjunction with the RGV Sports Hall of Fame, will see 33 awards presented to athletes, coaches and teams across all 12 UIL sports. The prestigious Tom Landry Award of Excellence will honor a student athlete for outstanding achievements.

Dallas Cowboys great Randy White, a Super Bowl MVP and NFL Hall of Famer, will be the guest speaker.

The banquet, which will run approximately 6 to 8 p.m., returns to Mario’s for a second consecutive year. The venue has a seating capacity of more than 500 people.

Tickets will be on sale soon at a cost of $40 per person. For sponsorship opportunities, call Marcia Kitten at (956) 683-4463 or send an email to [email protected].

Cross country runners — especially those who hail from the Rio Grande Valley — are truly a different breed of athlete.

While other runners across the nation may be complaining about running up hills facing some cold weather, Valley runners may feel like they’re getting a break when the temperatures reach only 100.

Their mental strength is equal to the legs that keep them going mile after mile with a heat index that will reach 115 degrees or more and a wind that feels like a hair dryer in the face.

Below are the nominations for boys and girls cross country runner of the year. Winners will be announced June 13 at the All Valley Sports Awards Banquet. Runners are named in alphabetical order.

BOYS CROSS COUNTRY

Cruz Gomez, PSJA Memorial, senior: Gomez qualified for state for the fourth year in a row, this time in Class 5A with an even tougher field. The Wolverines standout and future Longhorns athlete set his personal best at 14:48.7 while winning the McNeil Invitational, his first sub-15 minute 5K. He finished fourth at the UIL state meet. He was named Class 5A all-state.

Victor Leos, Brownsville IDEA Frontier, sophomore: Leos captured a District 32-3A cross country team and individual championship. At the Region IV-3A meet, Leos led his team to a fourth-place finish, qualifying it to the state meet. Leos placed highest on the team, finishing 11th. At state, Leos finished 27th individually, lifting his team to 13th-place finish.

Evan Williams, McAllen Memorial, senior: Evan and his twin brother, Trevor, continued to leave their mark around the Valley as a duo of talent. Evan finished second at the District 30-6A meet but finished with the fastest 6A time at the UIL state meet, earning 12th place with his personal record of 15:18.8. He will attend and compete for the University of Texas in the fall.

GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY

Charlotte Beck, McAllen High, freshman: Beck burst onto the scene as a freshman in a big way. Her times continued to drop and by season’s end she had earned a District 30-6A championship at 19:57.4

Andrea de la Rosa, Brownsville Rivera, senior: De la Rosa won eight cross country meets this season, including the District 32-6A meet for the third time in her high school career. She followed that up with a third-place finish at the Region IV-6A meet, qualifying for the state meet, where she finished 20th.

Bailey Villalon, La Joya Palmview, senior: Villalon held off tough competition to claim her first cross country district championship at 19:59.3 in her first season in Class 5A and her first year as the top distance runner for the prestigious Lady Lobos program. She competed at the UIL state meet for the second time.

The banquet, hosted by RGVSports.com and AIM Media Texas in conjunction with the RGV Sports Hall of Fame, will see 33 awards presented to athletes, coaches and teams across all 12 UIL sports. The prestigious Tom Landry Award of Excellence will honor a student athlete for outstanding achievements.

The banquet, which will run approximately 6 to 8 p.m., returns to Mario’s for a second consecutive year. The venue has a seating capacity of more than 500 people.

Tickets will be on sale soon at a cost of $40 per person. For sponsorship opportunities, call Marcia Kitten at (956) 683-4463 or send an email to [email protected].

Lone Star National Bank and DHR Health will be presenting co-sponsors for this year’s 2019 All Valley Sports Awards Banquet on June 13 at Mario’s Banquet & Conference Center in Mission.

Randy White, a Super Bowl champion and former Super Bowl co-MVP for the Dallas Cowboys, will be the keynote speaker as the best players, coaches and teams from the year in Rio Grande Valley athletics are honored.

“We believe in giving back to our community,” said Edna De Saroe, senior vice president and director of marketing for Lone Star National Bank. “Education and sports play an important role in the development of a student. As a local community business leader, we have great pride in supporting events that honor our students and future leaders.”

White was the Dallas Cowboys’ first pick and second overall player (ahead of the great Walter Payton) selected in the 1975 National Football League draft.

After two years at middle linebacker he moved to starting right defensive tackle, and for the remainder of his 14-season career he was the anchor on an outstanding Dallas Cowboys defensive line.

White, nicknamed “Manster” (half man, half monster) was named co-MVP of Super Bowl XII along with defensive line teammate Harvey Martin after the Cowboys defeated the Denver Broncos 27-10.

The banquet, hosted by RGVSports.com and AIM Media Texas in conjunction with the RGV Sports Hall of Fame, will see 33 awards presented to athletes, coaches and teams across all 12 University Interscholastic League sports. The prestigious Tom Landry Award of Excellence will honor a student/athlete for outstanding achievements on and off the field.

“DHR Health wanted to be a part of the 2019 All Valley Sports Awards in order to bring an importance to living a healthy lifestyle. Athletics and sports don’t directly lead to health, but help with overall healthy lifestyles,” said R-Myna Evans of the DHR Health marketing department. “The benefits of being in sports at a young age is important because it teaches kids how to enjoy physical activity, especially because today’s youth spend most of their time on social media and electronic gadgets.

“Sports allow for our youth to get physical exercise and interact socially, which not only leads to a physically healthy lifestyle but also allows for growth mentally as interactions can lead to strong feelings of self-identity and can increase happiness.”

The Monitor, Valley Morning Star, The Brownsville Herald, Mid-Valley Town Crier and RGV Sports Hall of Fame voted to determine the winners in the sports categories. While The Monitor, the Star and the Herald have previously named their all-area teams in certain sports, the All Valley Sports Awards Banquet will recognize the very best across all three coverage areas.

The banquet, which will run approximately 6 to 8 p.m., returns to Mario’s for a third consecutive year. The venue has a seating capacity of more than 500 people.

Tickets are on sale at a cost of $40 per person. Tickets can be purchased online at RGVSports.com. For sponsorship opportunities, call Marcia Kitten at (956) 683-4463 or email [email protected].

STAFF REPORTS

Thirty-three awards honoring the best players, teams and coaches in Rio Grande Valley high school athletics will be handed out today during the 2017 All-Valley Sports Awards Banquet at Mario’s Banquet & Conference Center in Mission.

Former San Antonio Spurs forward Robert Horry will be the keynote speaker at the event, which is being put on with help from presenting sponsor Lone Star National Bank.

The Banquet, hosted by RGVSports.com and AIM Media Texas in conjunction with the RGV Sports Hall of Fame, will highlight winners across all 12 UIL sports. The highly prestigious Tom Landry Award of Excellence will honor a student-athlete for outstanding achievements on and off the field.

The Monitor, Valley Morning Star, The Brownsville Herald, Mid-Valley Town Crier and RGV Sports Hall of Fame voted to determine the winners in the sports categories. While The Monitor, the Star and the Herald have previously named their All-Area teams in certain sports, the All-Valley Sports Awards Banquet will recognize the very best across all three coverage areas.

The catered banquet will run 6 to 8 p.m.

Horry won seven NBA Championships and earned the moniker “Big Shot Rob” for clutch performances during his 16-year NBA career that included stints with the Spurs, Houston Rockets, Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Lakers.

Lone Star National Bank, first opened in Pharr in 1983, has grown to include more than 600 employees at 33 locations across South Texas. As part of its mission statement, Lone Star National Bank is committed to “helping our communities grow, and serving them with pride and integrity,” according to the bank’s website.

“Lone Star National Bank has a history of being a great community steward,” The Monitor Publisher Stephan Wingert said. “We are pleased to announce that Lone Star National Bank will be the presenting sponsor for the 2017 All-Valley Sports Awards Banquet. Thanks to their support, we will be able to celebrate the Valley’s best and brightest student-athletes.”

2017 All-Valley Sports Awards Nominations

Boys Cross Country Athlete of the Year

Daniel De La Cruz, Donna North

Brandon Gracia, Rio Grande City

Tristan Pena, Edinburg North

Girls Cross Country Athlete of the Year

Beth Ramos, Edinburg North

Brianna Robles, La Joya Palmview

Tina Sierra, La Feria

Volleyball Player of the Year

Jackie Kingsbury, Los Fresnos

Taylor Marburger, McAllen Memorial

Julia Monday, McAllen High

Football Player of the Year

Diego Hernandez, Mission Veterans

Roy Pedraza, Weslaco East

Omar Silva, Port Isabel

Girls Basketball Player of the Year

Brianna Pena, Weslaco High

Jordan Rudd, Brownsville Veterans

Jayla Santa Maria, Edinburg High

Boys Basketball Player of the Year

Ryan Garza, Edinburg Vela

Leo Lara, Santa Rosa

Aaron Villarreal, Brownsville Veterans Memorial

Boys Soccer Player of the Year

Manuel Castrejon, La Joya Juarez-Lincoln

Jose Echavarria, Brownsville Lopez

Hugo Guajardo, Progreso

Girls Soccer Player of the Year

Krysta Armstrong, Edinburg Economedes

Anna Hover, McAllen High

Tanya Prazelini, Los Fresnos

Boys Tennis Player of the Year

Joaquin Delgado, Sharyland Pioneer

Nick Martinez, Lyford

Jack Wang, McAllen Memorial

Girls Tennis Player of the Year

Grace Bell, Harlingen South

Chantel Lozano, Roma

Valeria Montero, Harlingen South

Boys Golfer of the Year

James Alfaro, Raymondville

Santiago Garcia, Brownsville Hanna

Jun Min Lee, Sharyland High

Girls Golfer of the Year

Julie Lucio, Brownsville Veterans

Isabel Prado, La Feria

Laura Rodriguez, Sharyland High

Boys Swimmer of the Year

Shaine Casas, McAllen High

Trevor Heath, Sharyland Pioneer

Luis Osuna, Los Fresnos

Girls Swimmer of the Year

Hannah Bradford, McAllen Memorial

Maya Athena Imperial, Brownsville Hanna

Ina Te, McAllen Rowe

Boys Track and Field Athlete of the Year

Sydney Mock, Port Isabel

Tristan Pena, Edinburg North

Joseph Ian Torres, Port Isabel

Jordan Wilson, Sharyland Pioneer

Girls Track and Field Athlete of the Year

Beth Ramos, Edinburg North

Brianna Robles, La Joya Palmview

Tina Sierra, La Feria

Valery Tobias, Edinburg IDEA Quest

Boys Wrestler of the Year

Guadalupe Rodriguez, Mission High

Diego Serna, Sharyland Pioneer

Dillion Toavalu, Edinburg North

Girls Wrestler of the Year

Alexis Altamira, Edinburg Vela

Amanda Alvarado, McAllen Memorial

Rose Ramirez, La Joya High

Class 6A Female Athlete of the Year

Taylor Marburger, McAllen Memorial

Jaida Muhammad, Edinburg Vela

Tanya Prazelini, Los Fresnos

Sub-6A Female Athlete of the Year

Jackie Howell, Mission Veterans

Jordan Rudd, Brownsville Veterans

Tina Sierra, La Feria

Class 6A Male Athlete of the Year

Adrian Bernal, McAllen Rowe

Trey Guajardo, PSJA High

Tristan Myende, La Joya Palmview

Sub-6A Male Athlete of the Year

Diego Hernandez, Mission Veterans

Leo Lara, Santa Rosa

Omar Silva, Port Isabel

Softball Player of the Year

Mia Anzaldua, Brownsville Veterans

Audrey Escamilla, Weslaco High

Amber Reyes, Edinburg High

Baseball Player of the Year

Saul Garza, Edinburg North

Noe Guerrero, Brownsville Hanna

Noel Vela, Mission Veterans

Class 6A Girls Team of the Year

Los Fresnos Soccer

McAllen High soccer

Weslaco High girls basketball

Sub-6A Girls Team of the Year

Brownsville Veterans Memorial basketball

Brownsville Veterans Memorial golf

Brownsville Veterans Memorial softball

Class 6A Boys Team of the Year

La Joya Juarez-Lincoln soccer

Weslaco East football

Weslaco High basketball

Sub-6A Boys Team of the Year

Brownsville Lopez soccer

Progreso soccer

Santa Rosa Basketball

Boys Coach of the Year

Johnny Cipriano, Santa Rosa basketball

Amadeo Escandon, Brownsville Lopez soccer

Margarito Jimenez, Progreso soccer

Girls Coach of the Year

Rayner Cardenas, Brownsville Veterans softball

Mario Rodriguez, Weslaco High softball

Peter A Rodriguez, Brownsville Rivera soccer

Class 6A Program of the Year

Edinburg Vela

McAllen High

Weslaco High

Sub-6A Program of the Year

Brownsville Veterans

La Feria

Mission Veterans

STAFF REPORTS

The Valley schools that posted the best and most consistent performances across all sports are nominated for Class 6A and Sub-6A Program of the Year.

The winners will be announced at the 2017 All-Valley Sports Awards Banquet on Saturday at Mario’s Banquet & Conference Center in Mission.

Former San Antonio Spurs forward Robert Horry will be the keynote speaker at the event, which is being put on with help from presenting sponsor Lone Star National Bank.

The nominees for Class 6A Program of the Year:

>> Edinburg Vela: The Vela boys basketball team was the best in the area, losing only once to Valley competition and then avenging that loss a few weeks later. The SaberCats didn’t qualify for the playoffs because of a rules violation. Vela girls basketball came back from injuries and a rough start to share the district title, Vela volleyball won the district title and was an area qualifier, and the football team went undefeated in District 31-6A to win the title. Vela baseball came in third in the toughest district in the Valley, while the Lady SaberCats softball team finished third in District 31-6A with a 9-5 league record under first-year coach Jon Maples.

>> McAllen High: McAllen High volleyball won the district title and advanced to the Sweet 16. The boys basketball team finished fourth in District 30-6A at 8-4 but advanced three rounds deep in the playoffs. McHi baseball was No. 1 in the RGVSports.com Top 10 for much of the year, advancing to the regional semifinals after amassing an 11-1 district record to win the first outright district title since 2009. The McHi girls soccer team won district with an undefeated record, while the boys soccer team finished behind only eventual state qualifier La Joya Juarez-Lincoln. The Lady Bulldogs softball team won 20 games in the regular season for the first time since 2014 and claimed a share of the District 30-6A title, while the McHi girls basketball team finished second in 30-6A with a 10-2 district record.

>> Weslaco High: Weslaco boys basketball tied for first in District 32-6A and then advanced to the Sweet 16. Weslaco girls basketball went 13-1 in district, captured the district title and then advanced to the Sweet 16, as well. Weslaco girls golfer Anika Hovda ranked third in the Valley with an average of 75.00, qualifying for the regional tournament. The baseball team continued its 11-year playoff streak by finishing fourth in 32-6A with an 8-6 district record. In softball, the Lady Panthers went 23-3 in the regular season and won District 32-6A with a 13-1 league record, advancing to the regional semifinals. The Panthers won the boys and girls district titles in track and advanced four athletes to the state meet.

The nominees for Sub-6A Program of the Year:

>> Brownsville Veterans: Won or shared a District 32-5A title in football, volleyball, girls basketball, boys basketball, team tennis, boys and girls swimming, boys soccer, girls golf, boys golf, spring boys tennis, girls track and field and softball. Every sport qualified for the postseason.

>>La Feria: In cross country, the team won the league crown and star runner Tina Sierra finished in sixth place at state. The football team made it to the playoffs, the volleyball team won the league title, the girls basketball team went two deep in the playoffs, the boys basketball team won the district title, the golf team sent two players to the state meet, the tennis team sent several players to the regional tournament, the boys and girls track team sent 12 to the regional meet and, last but not least, the boys soccer team advanced all the way to the regional final.

>>Mission Veterans: Veterans football finished third in district and went three rounds deep in the playoffs. The Patriots’ baseball team was consistently ranked at the top of the RGVSports.com Top 10 for much of the year, easily winning its fifth district title in a row. The Lady Patriots volleyball team went undefeated in district at 16-0 and advanced to the area round of the playoffs. The Mission Veterans softball team also advanced to the postseason. Girls basketball tied for fourth in the district behind three Laredo schools and was eliminated in a play-in game.

The Banquet, hosted by RGVSports.com and AIM Media Texas in conjunction with the RGV Sports Hall of Fame, will see 33 awards presented to standout athletes, coaches and teams across all 12 UIL sports. The highly prestigious Tom Landry Award of Excellence will honor a student-athlete for outstanding achievements on and off the field.

The Monitor, Valley Morning Star, The Brownsville Herald, Mid-Valley Town Crier and RGV Sports Hall of Fame will vote to determine the winners in the sports categories. While The Monitor, the Star and the Herald have previously named their All-Area teams in certain sports, the All-Valley Sports Awards Banquet will recognize the very best across all three coverage areas.

The catered banquet will run 6 to 8 p.m.

Horry won seven NBA Championships and earned the moniker “Big Shot Rob” for clutch performances during his 16-year NBA career that included stints with the Spurs, Houston Rockets, Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Lakers.

Lone Star National Bank, first opened in Pharr in 1983, has grown to include more than 600 employees at 33 locations across South Texas. As part of its mission statement, Lone Star National Bank is committed to “helping our communities grow, and serving them with pride and integrity,” according to the bank’s website.

“Lone Star National Bank has a history of being a great community steward,” The Monitor Publisher Stephan Wingert said. “We are pleased to announce that Lone Star National Bank will be the presenting sponsor for the 2017 All-Valley Sports Awards Banquet. Thanks to their support, we will be able to celebrate the Valley’s best and brightest student-athletes.”

Six of the leaders behind some of the Valley’s most successful teams are up for Boys Coach of the Year and Girls Coach of the Year.

The winners will be announced at the 2017 All-Valley Sports Awards Banquet on Saturday at Mario’s Banquet & Conference Center in Mission.

Former San Antonio Spurs forward Robert Horry will be the keynote speaker at the event, which is being put on with help from presenting sponsor Lone Star National Bank.

The nominees for Boys Coach of the Year:

>> Johnny Cipriano, Santa Rosa basketball: The longtime Warriors basketball coach led his 2016-17 team to an undefeated District 32-3A record, a 13th straight district title and a trip to the Class 3A state semifinals.

>> Amadeo Escandon, Brownsville Lopez soccer: Escandon guided the Lobos to the UIL state tournament for a Valley-record fifth time. The Lobos (17-5-4) finished third in District 32-5A before coming alive and winning five games in the state playoffs to make a state tournament appearance. Escandon has been the coach during each of Lopez’s five trips to state, which included a state championship in 2004 and a state runner-up finish in 2009.

>> Margarito Jimenez, Progreso soccer: Jimenez led the Red Ants back to the state tournament for the second consecutive season. Coaching the program since its inception in 1998, Jimenez has shown an ability to switch up formations and integrate new pieces in a pinch.

The nominees for Girls Coach of the Year:

>> Rayner Cardenas, Brownsville Veterans softball: Under Cardenas, the Lady Chargers compiled a 23-6 record and were 14-0 in district play to become the District 32-5A champions. The team won 10 of 14 district games via shutout and allowed just four runs during those 14 games.

>> Mario Rodriguez, Weslaco High softball: Rodriguez led the Lady Panthers to a 23-3 regular season and sole possession of the District 32-6A title (13-1 league record). In a bid to reach the state tournament for the second consecutive year, the team advanced past PSJA Memorial, San Antonio Southwest and Edinburg High before losing to New Braunfels Canyon in the regional semifinals.

>> Peter A Rodriguez, Brownsville Rivera soccer: In his first year as Brownsville Rivera’s girls soccer coach, Rodriguez pulled off the improbable. He took a team that finished 0-14 in District 32-6A just one year earlier and guided the Lady Raiders to the third round of the Class 6A state playoffs for the first time in the school’s history. The Lady Raiders, who tied for third in 32-6A with a 9-5 record, finished the season with an 11-10-2 overall mark following a 2-0 loss to Los Fresnos in the third round of the playoffs.

The Banquet, hosted by RGVSports.com and AIM Media Texas in conjunction with the RGV Sports Hall of Fame, will see 33 awards presented to standout athletes, coaches and teams across all 12 UIL sports. The highly prestigious Tom Landry Award of Excellence will honor a student-athlete for outstanding achievements on and off the field.

The Monitor, Valley Morning Star, The Brownsville Herald, Mid-Valley Town Crier and RGV Sports Hall of Fame will vote to determine the winners in the sports categories. While The Monitor, the Star and the Herald have previously named their All-Area teams in certain sports, the All-Valley Sports Awards Banquet will recognize the very best across all three coverage areas.

Tickets for the catered banquet, which will run 6 to 8 p.m., are available through each newspaper’s website at a cost of $40 per person. Sponsorship opportunities are still available. For more information, contact Marcia Kitten at 956-683-4463.

Horry won seven NBA Championships and earned the moniker “Big Shot Rob” for clutch performances during his 16-year NBA career that included stints with the Spurs, Houston Rockets, Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Lakers.

Lone Star National Bank, first opened in Pharr in 1983, has grown to include more than 600 employees at 33 locations across South Texas. As part of its mission statement, Lone Star National Bank is committed to “helping our communities grow, and serving them with pride and integrity,” according to the bank’s website.

“Lone Star National Bank has a history of being a great community steward,” The Monitor Publisher Stephan Wingert said. “We are pleased to announce that Lone Star National Bank will be the presenting sponsor for the 2017 All-Valley Sports Awards Banquet. Thanks to their support, we will be able to celebrate the Valley’s best and brightest student-athletes.”

The top boys teams from the gridiron, pitch and hardwood are up for Class 6A Boys Team of the Year and Sub-6A Boys Team of the Year.

The winners will be announced at the 2017 All-Valley Sports Awards Banquet on Saturday at Mario’s Banquet & Conference Center in Mission.

Former San Antonio Spurs forward Robert Horry will be the keynote speaker at the event, which is being put on with help from presenting sponsor Lone Star National Bank.

The nominees for Class 6A Boys Team of the Year:

>> La Joya Juarez-Lincoln soccer: The Huskies advanced to state for the first time in program history, losing in penalty kicks to Dallas Jesuit after a scoreless regulation and overtime. Juarez-Lincoln finished the season 30-4-1 and went 12-2 in District 30-6A to claim the district championship.

>> Weslaco East football: The Wildcats overcame injuries and a slow start (3-4 overall, 1-3 in District 32-6A) as the smallest school in the Valley’s toughest district, finishing as one of only two Valley 6A teams to reach the third round of the playoffs. East finished the year 8-5 overall and 4-3 in district to continue runs of 10 straight playoff appearances, four trips to the third round in the past seven seasons and nine straight years with seven or more wins.

>> Weslaco High basketball: The Panthers finished the regular season tied for first in District 32-6A with a 13-1 record. They then advanced to the Sweet 16 of the state playoffs with wins over Edinburg Economedes, South San Antonio and Laredo United South.

The nominees for Sub-6A Boys Team of the Year:

>> Brownsville Lopez soccer: The Lobos fought their way out of a highly competitive District 32-5A before winning five games in the state playoffs and reaching the UIL state tournament for a Valley-record fifth time. Lopez finished third in 32-5A and came alive when it mattered most in the postseason, edging Brownsville Veterans 1-0 in the 5A Region IV final to become the first Brownsville school to go to state in back-to-back years in soccer.

>> Progreso soccer: The Red Ants went 24-6-2 this season, advancing to state for the second consecutive year — the first two trips in the program’s history. Progreso was dominant during its playoff run, winning its first five games by a combined 16-1.

>> Santa Rosa basketball: The team won its 13th straight district title, was perfect in league play, finished the season with a 34-3 record and advanced all the way to the UIL Class 3A state semifinals in San Antonio.

The Banquet, hosted by RGVSports.com and AIM Media Texas in conjunction with the RGV Sports Hall of Fame, will see 33 awards presented to standout athletes, coaches and teams across all 12 UIL sports. The highly prestigious Tom Landry Award of Excellence will honor a student-athlete for outstanding achievements on and off the field.

The Monitor, Valley Morning Star, The Brownsville Herald, Mid-Valley Town Crier and RGV Sports Hall of Fame will vote to determine the winners in the sports categories. While The Monitor, the Star and the Herald have previously named their All-Area teams in certain sports, the All-Valley Sports Awards Banquet will recognize the very best across all three coverage areas.

Tickets for the catered banquet, which will run 6 to 8 p.m., are available through each newspaper’s website at a cost of $40 per person. Sponsorship opportunities are still available. For more information, contact Marcia Kitten at 956-683-4463.

Horry won seven NBA Championships and earned the moniker “Big Shot Rob” for clutch performances during his 16-year NBA career that included stints with the Spurs, Houston Rockets, Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Lakers.

Lone Star National Bank, first opened in Pharr in 1983, has grown to include more than 600 employees at 33 locations across South Texas. As part of its mission statement, Lone Star National Bank is committed to “helping our communities grow, and serving them with pride and integrity,” according to the bank’s website.

“Lone Star National Bank has a history of being a great community steward,” The Monitor Publisher Stephan Wingert said. “We are pleased to announce that Lone Star National Bank will be the presenting sponsor for the 2017 All-Valley Sports Awards Banquet. Thanks to their support, we will be able to celebrate the Valley’s best and brightest student-athletes.”

The Valley’s two best girls soccer teams are set to clash once again for Class 6A Girls Team of the Year, while Brownsville Veterans dominates the race for Sub-6A Girls Team of the Year.

The winners will be announced at the 2017 All-Valley Sports Awards Banquet on June 10 at Mario’s Banquet & Conference Center in Mission.

Former San Antonio Spurs forward Robert Horry will be the keynote speaker at the event, which is being put on with help from presenting sponsor Lone Star National Bank.

The nominees for Class 6A Girls Team of the Year:

>> Los Fresnos soccer: The Los Fresnos girls soccer team dominated play in the Valley in 2017 by going 27-3, winning district for the fifth time in seven years and advancing to the regional tournament for the sixth time in eight seasons. The Lady Falcons breezed through District 32-6A with a 14-0 record. They won three games in the playoffs en route to qualifying for the Region IV-6A Tournament in San Antonio.

>> McAllen High soccer: McHi dominated District 30-6A, winning all 12 games in regulation and outscoring opponents 88-6. Despite having a large group of freshman contributors and four players missing most of the year to injury, the Lady Bulldogs advanced to the regional quarterfinals before losing to eventual state semifinalist Vandegrift.

>> Weslaco High basketball: Weslaco High won a share of the District 32-6A title with a 13-1 record, going 31-9 overall. The Lady Panthers beat PSJA North, Laredo United South and Laredo United in the playoffs to advance to the Sweet 16.

The nominees for Sub-6A Girls Team of the Year:

>> Brownsville Veterans Memorial basketball: Brownsville Veterans finished with a 30-7 record, setting a school record for wins, claiming a District 32-5A title with an unbeaten 14-0 mark and advancing to the area round of the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season.

>> Brownsville Veterans Memorial golf: The Lady Chargers won the Region IV-5A Tournament in San Antonio to qualify for the UIL state tournament for the first time in school history. At state, Brownsville Veterans finished fifth. Members of the team included Julie Lucio, Vanessa Campos, Cristina Pullen, Fahtima Avila and Cecilia Garza.

>>Brownsville Veterans Memorial softball: The Lady Chargers compiled a 23-6 record and were 14-0 in district play to become the District 32-5A champions. The team won 10 of 14 district games via shutout and allowed just four runs during those 14 games.

The Banquet, hosted by RGVSports.com and AIM Media Texas in conjunction with the RGV Sports Hall of Fame, will see 33 awards presented to standout athletes, coaches and teams across all 12 UIL sports. The highly prestigious Tom Landry Award of Excellence will honor a student-athlete for outstanding achievements on and off the field.

The Monitor, Valley Morning Star, The Brownsville Herald, Mid-Valley Town Crier and RGV Sports Hall of Fame will vote to determine the winners in the sports categories. While The Monitor, the Star and the Herald have previously named their All-Area teams in certain sports, the All-Valley Sports Awards Banquet will recognize the very best across all three coverage areas.

Tickets for the catered banquet, which will run 6 to 8 p.m., are available through each newspaper’s website at a cost of $40 per person. Sponsorship opportunities are still available. For more information, contact Marcia Kitten at 956-683-4463.

Horry won seven NBA Championships and earned the moniker “Big Shot Rob” for clutch performances during his 16-year NBA career that included stints with the Spurs, Houston Rockets, Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Lakers.

Lone Star National Bank, first opened in Pharr in 1983, has grown to include more than 600 employees at 33 locations across South Texas. As part of its mission statement, Lone Star National Bank is committed to “helping our communities grow, and serving them with pride and integrity,” according to the bank’s website.

“Lone Star National Bank has a history of being a great community steward,” The Monitor Publisher Stephan Wingert said. “We are pleased to announce that Lone Star National Bank will be the presenting sponsor for the 2017 All-Valley Sports Awards Banquet. Thanks to their support, we will be able to celebrate the Valley’s best and brightest student-athletes.”

STAFF REPORTS

A mix of heavy hitters and staff aces are in contention for Baseball Player of the Year and Softball Player of the Year.

The winners will be announced at the 2017 All-Valley Sports Awards Banquet on June 10 at Mario’s Banquet & Conference Center in Mission.

Former San Antonio Spurs forward Robert Horry will be the keynote speaker at the event, which is being put on with help from presenting sponsor Lone Star National Bank.

The nominees for Baseball Player of the Year:

>> Saul Garza, Edinburg North: A standout all season for Edinburg North, Garza hit .530 with three home runs, eight triples, 10 doubles, 33 RBIs and 36 runs scored. He also led the team with 24 walks, boosting his on-base percentage to .645. He slugged 1.060 for an OPS of 1.706.

>> Noe Guerrero, Brownsville Hanna: The junior pitcher had a 6-2 record and a 1.14 ERA with four complete games, including three shutouts and a no-hitter, while leading the Golden Eagles to a District 32-6A runner-up finish and a postseason berth. He pitched 61 1/3 innings and allowed 21 runs (10 earned) on 50 hits, 18 walks and 57 strikeouts as opponents hit just .209 against him.

>> Noel Vela, Mission Veterans: As a pitcher, Vela had an 8-1 record with a 0.94 ERA. In 52 innings, he racked up 87 strikeouts and an opponent’s batting average of .180. As a hitter, Vela posted a .462 average, 45 RBIs, 12 doubles, six triples and two home runs.

The nominees for Softball Player of the Year:

>> Mia Anzaldua, Brownsville Veterans: Only a sophomore, Anzaldua was the Lady Chargers’ best option in the circle and at the plate. As a pitcher, Anzaldua went 11-3 this season with 163 strikeouts and a 0.89 ERA. At the plate, she hit .489 with 42 RBIs and six home runs.

>> Audrey Escamilla, Weslaco High: Escamilla was a big part of Weslaco’s 23-3 regular season and district title in 2017. The catcher flexed her muscles at the plate, hitting .475 with eight home runs, 49 RBIs and a .551 on-base percentage.

>> Amber Reyes, Edinburg High: As the leadoff hitter on the Valley team with the best regular season record (25-2), Reyes set the table for the rest of her Lady Bobcats teammates, hitting .518 and leading the team in hits (58) and runs scored (55). In the circle, Reyes dazzled with a 15-1 record, 0.64 ERA and 99 strikeouts in 87 innings pitched.

The Banquet, hosted by RGVSports.com and AIM Media Texas in conjunction with the RGV Sports Hall of Fame, will see 33 awards presented to standout athletes, coaches and teams across all 12 UIL sports. The highly prestigious Tom Landry Award of Excellence will honor a student-athlete for outstanding achievements on and off the field.

The Monitor, Valley Morning Star, The Brownsville Herald, Mid-Valley Town Crier and RGV Sports Hall of Fame will vote to determine the winners in the sports categories. While The Monitor, the Star and the Herald have previously named their All-Area teams in certain sports, the All-Valley Sports Awards Banquet will recognize the very best across all three coverage areas.

Tickets for the catered banquet, which will run 6 to 8 p.m., are available through each newspaper’s website at a cost of $40 per person. Sponsorship opportunities are still available. For more information, contact Marcia Kitten at 956-683-4463.

Horry won seven NBA Championships and earned the moniker “Big Shot Rob” for clutch performances during his 16-year NBA career that included stints with the Spurs, Houston Rockets, Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Lakers.

Lone Star National Bank, first opened in Pharr in 1983, has grown to include more than 600 employees at 33 locations across South Texas. As part of its mission statement, Lone Star National Bank is committed to “helping our communities grow, and serving them with pride and integrity,” according to the bank’s website.

“Lone Star National Bank has a history of being a great community steward,” The Monitor Publisher Stephan Wingert said. “We are pleased to announce that Lone Star National Bank will be the presenting sponsor for the 2017 All-Valley Sports Awards Banquet. Thanks to their support, we will be able to celebrate the Valley’s best and brightest student-athletes.”