By STEFAN MODRICH, Staff Writer

The University Interscholastic League announced Thursday it would extend its suspension of athletic practices and competitions through May 4 due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 coronavirus.

“We are working diligently on contingency plans to conduct state championships in each of the activities that have been suspended,” UIL executive director Dr. Charles Breithaupt said in a statement. “While the immediate future is unclear, we are committed to providing these much-desired activities to all Texas students and will prepare for all possible outcomes, including extended school closures.”

In an email sent to school district superintendents, Susan Elza, the UIL director of athletics, said the organization would be “providing more guidance on district and postseason date adjustments in the coming days.”

Elza also wrote that due to reduced calendar dates, “there will be modifications in qualifying structures and timelines for district and postseason events.”

Brownsville Lopez athletic director Armando Gutierrez said the length of the extended ban is “uncharted territory for all of us.”

“I believe it will have an impact due to the fact of playoffs and (regular season) games for many spring sports,” Gutierrez said. (Especially when) considering those teams that have seniors on them as well. It’s a sacrifice that is necessary when dealing with a situation such as this.”

Gutierrez hopes a more stringent cleaning process mandated by the UIL to sterilize locker rooms and team facilities might help to combat future pandemics.

“Everything from equipment to facilities should be disinfected regularly,” Gutierrez said. “(That) should be done in most schools already, but there will be new standards of operation in that department when we commence.”

The sports that will feel the most immediate impact of the time crunch, as well as the need to secure facilities, are track & field and golf.

“This news brings me a sense of normalcy,” Brownsville Veterans Memorial athletic director David Cantu said. “It makes me think of all our hard-working student-athletes and coaches. If we’re able to compete again, that means that our unprecedented situation has improved and things can begin to return to normal.”

Track & field athletes likely will feel the brunt of these new precautions if new qualifying standards are issued.

“We are doing the best we can with this unfortunate situation,” Brownsville Hanna assistant track coach Olaya Teran said. “But we know that (the) UIL is taking precautions that are in the best interest of our athletes. We know that our athletes will try the best they can to train on their own if possible, and we know that some of our athletes may not have any workout equipment to work out in their homes.”

Santa Maria athletic director Israel Gracia said track will be affected significantly by the extended delay.

“If we are able to continue with track (we have) a limited amount of time to get in district track meets, regional and then state,” Gracia said. “With all precautions being taken, I can’t see this happening. I guess only time will tell. We need to do what is best for the health and safety of everyone involved.”

Rio Hondo golf coach Andy Alvarez said the rapidly-changing situation surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic’s reach and potency may necessitate the golf season ending at the district level, provided there is a safe environment to do so on or after May 4.

“(The extended suspension) is what’s best for our kids and to keep them safe,” Alvarez said. “I believe UIL is doing as much as they can to keep the spring sports alive, but with the possibility of this virus spreading fast we need to think of the well-being of our student-athletes first.”

La Feria golf coach David Briones said the District 32-4A meet was the only one still pending on the schedule. It had been moved to April 14 when the UIL first moved to suspend athletics March 13.

“It’s going to be hard for my girls team with four seniors,” Briones said. “My boys are all sophomores and freshmen, so they still have the next two years to play. But with (the) students’ health on the line it’s best to do what’s good for the kids and coaches.”

In the interim, Brownsville Rivera athletic director Beto Leal said the responsibility will shift to the student-athletes to find ways to stay in shape on their own, after Texas governor Greg Abbott announced an executive order in a news conference Thursday that will limit social gatherings to 10 people and close all private gyms.

“They’re going to have to do a lot of things on their own after school,” Leal said. “Everything’s getting pushed back, now there’s no more tournaments. … It’s going to affect a lot of kids. I feel bad for those seniors who had goals and dreams of getting to state.”

Another marker of the spring sports calendar is spring football workouts and 7-on-7, which may affect some programs across the East Valley.

“Spring football will be shortened a lot for sure,” Brownsville Porter athletic director Carlos Uresti said. “But every football coach is on the same boat. We will get after it whenever we are allowed to get back on the field with our kids. The most important thing right now is to stay out of harm’s way and hope everyone is listening to the advice given to us by our medical, science and government bodies.”

Many Brownsville schools anticipate needing to move spring football during a period normally reserved for summer workouts.

“No matter the adjustments we have to make, the most important lesson to learn from this situation is to be prepared when it occurs again,” Gutierrez said.

Cantu said the best current option for coaches at many schools who had planned for spring football is to secure Week 1 scrimmages.

Though sub-5A schools like Port Isabel cannot compete in spring football, athletic director Jason Strunk said there is plenty still to be settled in the realm of spring sports, including basketball state championships that have yet to be played and spring sports that have been paused.

“If we get those seasons in, do we really want to compound their reduced schedule by having spring football?” Strunk said. “It’s going to be extremely difficult to resume on May 4, even if we are allowed to practice before then. The announcement today was not a positive one, in terms of athletics, in my opinion.”

Several coaches addressed the “reasonable acclimatization period” referenced in the UIL’s statement, with responses ranging from five days to two weeks to ramp up practice before resuming competition.

Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools executive director Bryan Bunselmeyer announced in a webcast Tuesday that golf and tennis would not hold district or regional competitions.

If play were to resume in either sport, TAPPS would hold a one-day state tournament in both sports with a maximum of five golfers per school and two singles players and two doubles teams per school in tennis.

TAPPS also canceled district and regional meets in track & field, and unveiled a plan for a three-day state meet that would feature running prelims and the 3,200 meter run finals on Day 1, field events on Day 2, and all remaining running finals on Day 3.

“Sports is on the back page,” Leal said. “If we have to cancel a few things for the well-being of our kids, then so be it.”

By STEFAN MODRICH, Staff Writer

The Texas Association of Basketball Coaches released its 2019-20 University Interscholastic League all-region boys and girls teams Tuesday, featuring student-athletes from across the East Valley.

Ricky Altamirano and Elian Gonzalez were selected from District 32-6A champion Los Fresnos.

Altamirano was the second-highest scorer for Falcons (33-4, 10-0 32-6A), averaging 15.6 points per game, and he shot 47 percent from the field on the season. He also had 105 assists, good for second best behind Gonzalez, with 149.

Gonzalez scored 12.4 points per game and posted a 49 percent field goal percentage for Los Fresnos, which went four rounds deep in the playoffs.

“Elian and Ricky were two of three starters back from last year’s team,” Falcons coach Marco Hinojosa said. “We were blessed to have kids that can compete at a high level. While any one of our starters could have gotten this award, we just want to thank TABC (for) recognizing two of our players. Without a doubt Ricky and Elian were committed all year and gave it 100 percent every night. They will be missed!”

Brownsville Veterans Memorial’s Damian Maldonado, the reigning All-Metro MVP, was the lone Brownsville boys player represented on the TABC list. Maldonado scored 34 points, including a game-winning 3-pointer to lift District 32-5A champion Brownsville Veterans to a bi-district playoff victory over La Joya Palmview.

“I am really proud of (Maldonado) for receiving this honor,” Chargers coach Larry Gibson said. “It’s well-deserved (and) it’s a product of four great years of hard work.”

Lizzy Garza was named to the list for the Lady Chargers, who went 14-0 in district play during the 2019-20 season.

“Lizzie making the all-region team is well deserved,” Brownsville Veterans girls basketball coach Arnold Torres said. “I have had some great teams in the past, and she is the first player to receive such an honor. She was a great leader for the team and led by example. Her award is also a reflection of her teammates and the great year they had. I have always told the girls that the individual awards will be a reflection of the team’s success.”

Representing District 32-4A on the Region IV team were Daniel Rinza of Port Isabel and Jabez Villareal of Rio Hondo.

“It’s definitely well-earned on (Villarreal’s) part,” Rio Hondo coach Mike Alvarez said. “(It’s) an honor for him to be selected amongst very talented athletes in our region. I know the work he’s put in these (last) four years, and to finally be recognized is awesome! I can speak for him when I say that it wouldn’t be possible without his team.”

Representing Region IV in Class 3A was Santa Rosa’s David Bazaldua, who scored 21 points in an area-round win over Mathis, guiding his team to the third round of the playoffs.

“It is always great anytime a member of our team gets selected to the all-region team,” Warriors coach Johnny Cipriano said. “I know it’s an individual honor, but I always feel that in order for a member of any team to get selected to the all-region team, the team has to be relevant in the region. It’s great for David to be selected. He played well this year, and he has a lot of potential. If he works hard, he can accomplish greater things.”

In District 32-2A, Santa Maria’s Bernie Castellanos and Giovanni Diaz earned spots in the Region IV Class 2A team by helping lead the Cougars to one of the longest playoff runs of any team from the Valley, reaching the fourth round, where they lost to Normangee.

“It’s a great honor to have those two individuals represent their community,” Santa Maria coach Albert Briones said. “They are great role models and leaders of our team.”

San Perlita’s James Herrera and Tige Johnson, the reigning Valley Morning Star All-STAR MVP, also were tabbed to the all-region team for the district champion Trojans.

“(I am) extremely excited and proud of them,” San Perlita coach Nataniel Garza said. “Tige and James are a huge part of our team, and are truly deserving of this award. I am extremely proud of them and for them to get recognized on a regional level. Tige is now a senior, and he deserves this award. He has given this program four great years, and it was amazing to coach him. James comes back next year along with seven other returning players, so the future for San Perlita looks really bright.”

Meagan Kinney made the TABC list for the Lady Trojans, averaging 15 points, five steals and five rebounds per game.

“Meagan Kinney (was) elite all season,” San Perlita coach Marco Mungia said. “ Meagan’s no-fear, no-quit attitude caught the eyes of (coaches from Agua Dulce and Weimar in the playoffs) along with other coaches in our region. I couldn’t have asked for more from this young lady.”

Samantha Delgado earned all-region honors for the Lyford Lady Bulldogs, who went 15-2 in District 32-3A and earned the second seed in the 2019-20 postseason.

“Sam is an accomplished track star at our school,” coach Teresa Gutierrez said. “When she decided to join the basketball team last season, we were excited to have her be a part of our program. She quickly became a leader on and off the court. Her work ethic and dedication to the program motivated and challenged others to compete at the same level. It has been an honor to coach her and to see her grow as a multi-sport student-athlete.”

By STEFAN MODRICH, CLAIRE CRUZ AND ROY HESS

Staff Writers

After the initial shock of the suspension of the high school sports seasons of the two largest governing bodies in Texas — the University Interscholastic League and the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools — coaches and athletic directors around the Rio Grande Valley are scrambling to make contingency plans and restore a semblance of normalcy.

Many coaches and administrators have opted to take an optimistic long-term view and said they found the adjusted timelines to be conducive for resuming play in a timely manner. In the meantime, several coaches are planning to hold practice as they would during normal circumstances.

“The fact that (the) UIL has altered their district certification dates for soccer, golf and tennis means that those sports should be able to finish what they started,” Brownsville Veterans Memorial athletic director David Cantu said. “That excites us, as the athletes and coaches have invested so much and worked so hard to be in position to make a considerable run.”

The most significant changes to the UIL’s certification calendar thus far have been to the soccer schedule. The new deadlines for soccer are as follows:

– District certification: April 11

– Bi-district: April 14

– Area: April 18

– Regional quarterfinal: April 21

– Regional semifinals and finals: April 24-25

– State championships: April 29-May 2

On its website, the UIL noted regional soccer tournaments may be set up by the four qualifying teams, and that the organization would have updates soon.

The Chargers are slated to play host to Edcouch-Elsa for their final District 32-5A game, which is pending and could possibly be played March 30.

“Yes (it could be March 30),” Brownsville Veterans boys soccer coach Alberto Vasquez said. “It will be sometime when the UIL opens the window for games prior to district certification.

“I’m just glad the kids will have a chance to complete their season. Hopefully it will be safe by then. It’s not ideal to stop playing for such a long period, but everyone will have to deal with the same situation.”

Rivera athletic director Beto Leal said he expected Brownsville soccer coaches to be disappointed by the ban, as it is one of the spring sports most likely to yield a deep playoff run from a city team, but added that he stood by the UIL’s decision nonetheless.

“The three to four weeks off is not good for the teams, but it is the best for the health of our kids and community,” Hanna boys soccer coach Reyes Prado said. “We just have to find a way to stay active and stay focused. Even though we don’t like the idea of this long layoff, we agree with the UIL and our local leaders. Again, it is for the best of our community.”

Jose Espitia, coach of the third-seeded Porter boys soccer team, said his players are anxious to get back on the field for competition.

“It’ll be a long wait for the postseason, and most teams are excited about (eventually) getting to play, but the bottom line is that we have to think safety first. As educators we need to keep our kids safe, and that will always be our priority. Their well-being is way more important than any playoff game. We need to take proper precautions and listen to recommended advice from health officials.”

So far, Golf and tennis have been altered only at the district level, with deadlines of April 14 and April 18, respectively. Postseason deadlines in golf and tennis, and all certification deadlines in baseball, softball and track & field remain unchanged as of Saturday.

Additionally, the UIL noted track & field district and area meets may be combined to match the area meet deadline.

The TAPPS district tennis tournament in Laredo has been tentatively rescheduled for April 17-18. The TAPPS district golf tournament in Rancho Viejo has been tentatively rescheduled for April 20.

Most East Valley baseball and softball teams had just begun their district seasons before the suspension was announced and are now “in limbo” in regards to figuring out how to catch up on games when the season picks up again.

“Not having to practice every day is going to have a big effect on our skill development, but it is what it is. Whenever we do come in to practice, we’ll take advantage,” Brownsville Pace baseball coach Roy Rodriguez said. “As far as making up district games, there’s no plan yet. We just have to wait and see.”

District 32-6A only has six baseball programs, so the teams are scheduled to play each other three times each before the May 5 district certification deadline. This would mean the teams would have to play 14 district games in five weeks.

The district could choose to reduce the number of district games whenever a meeting is held, but the UIL “will allow for an exception to the school week limitation for varsity district contests,” meaning more than two games per week could be played to fulfill the original schedule.

Additional UIL guidelines apply, including practice limitations of 60 minutes per day, or 8 hours per week when school is not in session, or 300 minutes per week on a block schedule. Practices are up to the discretion of the local school district.

First-year Brownsville Hanna baseball coach Orlando Crenshaw isn’t worrying too much about what’s ahead and is choosing to focus on taking advantage of the practice time his Golden Eagles are allowed.

“Practicing is one thing I’m going to do as much as I can, that’s just the kind of coach I am. Even though we can’t physically compete in contests, practice will be our contest at this point so we will be going hard, trying to simulate game situations and making sure we’re getting better,” Crenshaw said. “At BISD, the health and safety of our kids is the most important thing regardless of what happens with the contests, and that’s my take on this whole thing as well. I’ll be very cautious at practice and watching the kids closely.”

One East Valley school district that will not be allowing practices during this time is Lyford CISD. Coaches are encouraging players to work out on their own in a safe manner, but no teams will practicing for at least two weeks.

By CLAIRE CRUZ AND STEFAN MODRICH, Staff Writers

BROWNSVILLE — The University Interscholastic League announced Friday it was suspending all athletic competitions starting Monday and running through March 29 due to the outbreak of COVID-19 in Texas.

“We are urging our member schools and their communities to stay vigilant and take every possible precaution to remain safe and healthy,” UIL executive director Dr. Charles Breithaupt said in a statement. “We understand there is a lot of uncertainty during this unprecedented time. Please know UIL leadership is working diligently to adjust to this rapidly evolving situation and will share updates as soon as possible.”

Coaches from across the East Valley endorsed the UIL’s actions, which have been closely mirrored by many of the programs across the region.

“The health and well-being of our athletes, families and communities takes precedence over any athletic contests, and therefore I wholeheartedly support the decision by UIL to suspend (competition),” Brownsville Veterans Memorial athletic director David Cantu said. “In the short-term we will still be able to practice, and that will allow our athletes to remain properly conditioned.”

Hanna athletic director Mark Guess said the safety of student-athletes and their families is the highest priority.

“(Our student-athletes are) young and healthy, but some of these kids have grandparents at home or maybe younger brothers or sisters,” Guess said. “We’re not just looking out for our kids, we have to look out for their families as well.”

As of Friday afternoon, there were no confirmed cases of the coronavirus in the Rio Grande Valley or northern Mexico.

Porter athletic director Carlos Uresti said the UIL’s approach was proactive, following the guidance of other major sports governing bodies.

“I believe it is the right thing to do at this time,” Uresti said. “They are allowing us to hold practices in the meantime, so the kids will still continue to work out and get better until we are allowed to compete once again.”

Pace athletic director Danny Pardo and Rivera athletic director Beto Leal echoed those sentiments.

Leal praised the response of BISD athletic administrator Gilbert Leal for promptly informing all of the athletic coordinators of the developments with the spread of the coronavirus and utilizing an abundance of caution in advising the Rio Grande Valley’s largest school district.

Brownsville St. Joseph Academy athletic director Tino Villarreal suspended all athletic events through April 12, in accordance with the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools.

The Bloodhounds competed in BISD City Track & Field Meet on Friday at Sams Stadium.

In a statement released Friday, Villarreal said that starting Monday, all SJA practices will be suspended through March 29, or whenever SJA resumes classes on campus. The campus and all athletic facilities are set to remain closed until March 30.

Santa Maria athletic director Israel Gracia noted that while all spring sports essentially will be in limbo, he was concerned about the Cougars’ track program and missing out on the Meet of Champions, adding they likely will have to “wait and see” about their district meet.

“After seeing what the NCAA was doing, I figured it was just a matter of time for us,” Gracia said. “Of course, we have to think about the whole situation. It’s hard for our kids to understand, and (I) hope that our seasons are able to continue. We will keep practicing as much as we are allowed to (in order) to be ready to compete when we are allowed.”

Port Isabel’s Mac Strunk, who just signed his letter of intent to run track for The Citadel on Thursday, also expressed disappointment in not being able to compete at the Meet of Champions. He’s working to lower his times on the track before competing at the next level and said the UIL decision could impact that.

“It’s pretty big, because each meet you’re competitive and everyone in the Valley takes the meet to heart. I just moved here last year and didn’t realize what it was, but I loved the meet. I (set a personal record) there because the adrenaline starts pumping because everyone is there and you want to put on a show,” Strunk said. “It kind of sucks (that I won’t compete there again), but the UIL just wants to be safe, and I understand. I’m love running, so I’m just going to focus on that and keep in shape.”

The Los Fresnos Falcons and athletic director Patrick Brown were the first school in the Valley to suspend all athletic competition. The Los Fresnos boys basketball team took special precautions for its trip to San Antonio for the regional tournament, including wearing gloves and masks during meals on the road and using sanitizing wipes on hotel room surfaces.

Gracia’s daughter, Briana, plays for the Los Fresnos soccer team.

“She is really devastated that her senior year could be in jeopardy,” Gracia said.

Santa Maria girls track coach Sonia White also is worried for her senior athletes. The Lady Cougars have their district track meet set for April 1, which is right after the current postponement is set to end. She hopes the district doesn’t implement any additional restrictions as far as practice so that the Hudson Relays in which they competed Friday will not be the last meet for her four seniors.

“For me, I’m just worried about our kids practicing and concerned this will be our seniors’ last meet. I told them, you guys have to be your best because this might be your last meet. It’s hard for them to not know,” White said.

San Benito track coach Joel Padilla said he almost welcomes the decision because it gives his athletes time to recover from injuries prior to their district meet.

Many East Valley coaches at the Hudson Relays in La Feria said they will continue to practice in their usual routine during the dead period and focus their attention on getting back into action March 30.

By STEFAN MODRICH, Staff Writer

In one of the last University Interscholastic League-sanctioned athletic events through the end of March in the Rio Grande Valley, the Brownsville Hanna boys and Brownsville Veterans Memorial girls won BISD City Track & Field Meet titles Friday at Sams Stadium.

The UIL has placed a temporary suspension on all athletic events effective Monday through March 29 due to the COVID-19 outbreak in Texas.

The Eagles finished atop the standings with 169 points, followed by runner-up Rivera with 132 points and Pace in third place with 83 points.

“Any time you’re competing against people from your own neighborhood, it really brings (a team) together,” Hanna coach Armando Rocha said. “To beat (the other Brownsville schools) at this level, it’s a big deal. I’m pretty sure (the student-athletes) will be Snapchatting each other about it later.”

A second-place finish by the 1,600 meter relay team of Aaron Hinojosa, Eduardo Garcia, Edgar Zertuche and Charles Thirlwall put Hanna (3:35.60) over the top.

“Everyone put in their own effort,” Rocha said. “Everything came together, and it came down to the end … We took nearly three seconds off that mile relay, which pushed us over the board there to win it.”

Hanna’s John Abrego won the 1,600 and 3,200 races with times of 4:43.56 and 10:15 respectively.

He took an early lead in the 800 before giving way to teammates Aaron Hinojosa (2:01.53) and Eduardo Garcia (2:02.88), as Abrego finished third in 2:03.97 for a podium sweep of the event.

“Overall, I felt physically good,” Abrego said. “Today was a perfect day, the weather was fine. I pushed myself, and I came out pretty good today.”

The sophomore felt at home running at Sams, a setting in which he’s used to performing well.

“When I visualize my races, I can already clearly see the stadium in my mind,” Abrego said. “It just feels good picturing that and having it re-enacted in reality.”

Hanna’s Sabian Arceneaux had the best high jump of the event, good for first place at 5 feet and 10 inches.

In the girls division, Brownsville Veterans took first place with 129 points. The Lady Vikings were second with 110 points, and the Lady Eagles recorded 104 points, good for a third-place finish.

Standouts for the Lady Chargers were Aaliyah Lopez, the winner in the 300 hurdles (52.40) and Valeria Gamez, who finished in first place in the 3,200 (12:19) and second in the 1,600 (5:53.16), behind Hanna’s Brissa Stinson (5:50.49).

Other winners were Valerie Sumaya, with a high jump of 4 feet 6 inches, and Monica Garcia, with a shot put of 33 feet.

Porter’s Estrella Medellin and Pace’s Marc Garcia were the top individual performers in the girls and boys divisions, respectively.

Medellin dominated the track and the sand pit, winning the triple jump with a mark of 33 feet, 8 1/2 inches. She was second in the long jump, leaping to 16 feet, 1 inch.

“I had a good long jump,” Medellin said. “It was a personal best for me. My triple jump wasn’t my best mark, but I still finished first.”

She took the top spot in both the 400 (1:02.24) and 800 (2:24.18) and ran in the Cowgirls’ third-place 1,600 relay team that finished in 4:24.95.

Reaching a sub-2:25 800 time was an important benchmark for Medellin, one that stood out to her as a highlight among the many others that contributed to her large medal haul.

“I would say it was a successful meet,” Medellin said of her expectations. “My coach is very honest with me, and I believe in everything he told me. It was a pretty good meet overall.”

Garcia won the 100 in 11.44 seconds, was part of the Vikings’ first-place 400 relay team (44.50) and won the pole vault with a clearance of 9 feet, 6 inches.

He also was a member of Pace’s 800 relay team that finished fourth with a time of 1:34.64.

By STEFAN MODRICH, Staff Writer

PORT ISABEL — Port Isabel football and track athlete Mac Strunk has moved across the country and the state of Texas with his family, as his father and Port Isabel athletic director Jason Strunk continued his career in coaching and sports administration.

Everywhere he has been, the younger Strunk has left his coaches and teammates with fond impressions of his work ethic, whether it was his offseason workouts with the Tarpons’ varsity squad as an eighth-grader or Port Isabel coach Jose Gonzales having to “pull (Strunk) off the track” because he was so dedicated to his craft.

All of that resulted in the opportunity to compete at the NCAA Division I level, and Mac fulfilled that objective Thursday in the gymnasium at Port Isabel, where he signed his national letter of intent to run track and study criminal justice as a cadet at The Citadel, one of six military academies in the U.S.

Located in Charleston, S.C., the Bulldogs compete in the Southern Conference.

“When Mac first came in last year and I saw him run, you could tell he had some talent,” Gonzales said. “It looked like he was gliding when he was running. It’s not very often that you get a kid like him. He worked his butt off to get to where he’s at, and I’m just proud to be his coach.”

Mac and Gonzalez noted that the Meet of Champions, held March 27 in La Feria, will be the next big test for the senior to push himself against stronger competition as he strives for a sub-21 second 200 time.

Mac ultimately chose between the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., and The Citadel because of his desire to serve in the military, and regardless of his future in the armed forces, he intends to pursue a career in law enforcement.

“I found the right place, because they (treated) me like family,” he said.

After attending three different high schools in 2018, he and his father were able to find a home in Port Isabel, where the gymnasium bleachers were filled with his friends and student-athletes as they welcomed him into his signing ceremony with an enthusiastic ovation.

Jason Strunk said he felt it was important for him to be “hands-off” during track season, as his son displayed the “tenacity, work ethic, and resolve” to overcome coming up one spot of qualifying for the state meet last season and persevering through an ankle injury suffered during football season that was a temporary setback for his track preparations.

“With my job and being a football coach, he went to five different elementary schools in four different states,” the Port Isabel AD and Pennsylvania native said. “He’s moved across the country with me for this crazy job of mine, coaching football. So I think that really sold (recruiters), they knew he was like a military kid.”

By STEFAN MODRICH | Staff Writer

RAYMONDVILLE — Raymondville’s Andrew Cervantes and Emmalee Lopez both announced their intent to continue their athletic and academic careers with college signings last Friday.

Cervantes, an offensive guard for the Bearkats football team, and Lopez, a volleyball, soccer, and track standout for the Lady Bearkats, have been attached at the hip practically since the two each learned to walk.

“Me and Emma go all the way back to daycare,” Cervantes said. “My parents, they were busy a lot. My dad would be working out in the oil rigs and my mom was working with childcare services, so I didn’t have anyone to take care of me when my brother was at school. So my mom would take me to this daycare, and Emma was the granddaughter of the owner. We’ve basically been raised together, since we were months old. I consider her my sister.”

Maintaining that familial bond will be among the many challenges the two student-athletes will face when they begin the next chapters of their lives in the fall.

Cervantes plans to study kinesiology at Sul Ross State University in Alpine, 220 miles southeast of El Paso. He added he intends to obtain a master’s degree and a graduate assistant position, and will pursue a career in coaching.

Sul Ross State is an NCAA Division III program. The Lobos compete in the American Southwest Conference.

Raymondville coach Frank Cantu said Cervantes moved from tackle to guard and showed promise as a sophomore. Despite an injury that cut his first varsity season short, Cervantes kept working to ensure he would cement his place in school lore as a starter with the back-to-back District 16-4A Division II championships in 2018 and 2019.

“Since Andrew’s sophomore year, during regular season play we were 25-3,” Cantu said. “The offensive line, coming up together and getting better, definitely showed.”

Lopez is the latest in a long list of Rio Grande Valley soccer signees in Jarvis Christian College’s 2020 class, recruited by coach Demetrio Hernandez. Also, she will compete with the JCC track team.

“I’m most excited about just going to college and being away from home,” Lopez said. “And learning how I can succeed by myself. …. Learning how individually strong I will become.”

She said she will pursue a major in kinesiology and minor in nursing.

Recently, Hernandez hosted a meeting for incoming JCC student-athletes from the Valley at Weslaco High.

“We got introduced to each other, and exchanged phone numbers and social media,” Lopez said. “We got to learn the requirements and specific aspects they would be looking at. We just got to be more comfortable with each other in that moment.”

JCC is located in Hawkins, 113 miles east of Dallas. The Bulldogs compete in the Red River Athletic Conference within the NAIA.

By STEFAN MODRICH | Staff Writer

RAYMONDVILLE — Raymondville’s Andrew Cervantes and Emmalee Lopez both announced their intent to continue their athletic and academic careers with college signings last Friday.

Cervantes, an offensive guard for the Bearkats football team, and Lopez, a volleyball, soccer, and track standout for the Lady Bearkats, have been attached at the hip practically since the two each learned to walk.

“Me and Emma go all the way back to daycare,” Cervantes said. “My parents, they were busy a lot. My dad would be working out in the oil rigs and my mom was working with childcare services, so I didn’t have anyone to take care of me when my brother was at school. So my mom would take me to this daycare, and Emma was the granddaughter of the owner. We’ve basically been raised together, since we were months old. I consider her my sister.”

Maintaining that familial bond will be among the many challenges the two student-athletes will face when they begin the next chapters of their lives in the fall.

Cervantes plans to study kinesiology at Sul Ross State University in Alpine, 220 miles southeast of El Paso. He added he intends to obtain a master’s degree and a graduate assistant position, and will pursue a career in coaching.

Sul Ross State is an NCAA Division III program. The Lobos compete in the American Southwest Conference.

Raymondville coach Frank Cantu said Cervantes moved from tackle to guard and showed promise as a sophomore. Despite an injury that cut his first varsity season short, Cervantes kept working to ensure he would cement his place in school lore as a starter with the back-to-back District 16-4A Division II championships in 2018 and 2019.

“Since Andrew’s sophomore year, during regular season play we were 25-3,” Cantu said. “The offensive line, coming up together and getting better, definitely showed.”

Lopez is the latest in a long list of Rio Grande Valley soccer signees in Jarvis Christian College’s 2020 class, recruited by coach Demetrio Hernandez. Also, she will compete with the JCC track team.

“I’m most excited about just going to college and being away from home,” Lopez said. “And learning how I can succeed by myself. …. Learning how individually strong I will become.”

She said she will pursue a major in kinesiology and minor in nursing.

Recently, Hernandez hosted a meeting for incoming JCC student-athletes from the Valley at Weslaco High.

“We got introduced to each other, and exchanged phone numbers and social media,” Lopez said. “We got to learn the requirements and specific aspects they would be looking at. We just got to be more comfortable with each other in that moment.”

JCC is located in Hawkins, 113 miles east of Dallas. The Bulldogs compete in the Red River Athletic Conference within the NAIA.

By STEFAN MODRICH, Staff Writer

Javier Ballesteros scored two goals in less than one minute during the second half of Brownsville Veterans Memorial’s District 32-5A contest against Brownsville Lopez on Tuesday night, clinching the District 32-5A crown with a 2-0 victory.

The Chargers improved to 12-1 in 32-5A play with the win. The Lobos dropped to 8-5 in district.

It was the sixth clean sheet for Brownsville Veterans goalkeeper Alek Gomez in district play. The Chargers have allowed nine goals and scored 38 in 13 district games.

Gomez, Brownsville Veterans’ three defenders and two others had no varsity experience prior to the start of the 2019-20 season.

“That’s what we try and build off of,” Brownsville Veterans coach Albert Vasquez said. “We start off in the back and make sure we’re solid there, and we create from there. … For us to maintain the same style and same efficiency in the back … I’m real proud of our defensive group.”

Ballesteros, a sophomore, netted the first Brownsville Veterans goal at the 28-minute mark of the second half when his free kick was deflected by a Lopez player to break through the Lobos’ wall.

Not more than 30 seconds later, facilitated by a tic-tac-toe string of passes from Albert Maradiaga to Ballesteros, the Chargers doubled the lead when Ballesteros found space in the box and drove a dagger into the back of the net past the Lopez goalkeeper.

“I want to congratulate our whole team for the good game we played,” Ballesteros said. “And thank (Maridiaga) for the good passes. He’s always looking out for the passes on the sides, and he gave me the opportunity to score and win the game.”

Vasquez noted that the second goal was similar to the first goal his team scored in a game against Porter, and that his players are aggressive and adept at finding each other in space.

“We pretty much practice those every day,” Maradiaga said. “We were finally able to do it during the game, and it worked out. … We work every day to get better, and we’re not done yet.”

Brownsville Veterans had several chances thwarted by the Lobos’ goalie during the first half, and Cesar Cepeda had a goal disallowed with eight minutes remaining in the period when the referee ruled that Cepeda pushed off of his defender.

Just three minutes later, Mark Boswell found the crossbar on a line drive from close range.

Lopez’s best scoring chance came in the first 10 minutes of the second half, the first stretch of the contest during which the Lobos sustained an attack.

After Lopez’s Daniel Cruz took free kick from 15 yards out to the right of the goal, the Lobos failed to take advantage of a golden opportunity to take the lead when a header in the box went right of the goal.

The game began to get chippy as it began to get out of reach for the Lobos, and Ballesteros drew a hard foul while sliding out of bounds and was helped off the field. Vasquez said he did not suffer a serious injury on the play.

On a later exchange, Cruz was issued a yellow card.

“He’s OK, the players are good, we’re all healthy,” Vasquez said. “We’ve got one more game, and we’re trying to stay healthy and make a good run in the playoffs.”

Ballesteros said it was important for he and his teammates to remain composed and be complacent with a lead, even late in the second half.

“We have to stay under control,” Ballesteros said. “We have (big) games like this, like against Valley View, where we have to keep our mindset in the game and not focus on the crowd.”

Brownsville Veterans plays host to Edcouch Elsa at 7:30 p.m. next Tuesday to conclude its regular season.

Lopez also is playoff-bound, and the Lobos are set to wrap up their district slate at 7:30 p.m. next Tuesday at Mercedes.

By STEFAN MODRICH, Staff Writer

SAN ANTONIO — Los Fresnos’ unselfish style of play drew widespread acclaim from coaches and high school basketball fans around the state and got the program four rounds deep in the University Interscholastic League’s Class 6A playoffs.

But the No. 20 Falcons finally ran into a team specially equipped to stop them in Northside Brandeis.

Los Fresnos’ season came to an end with a 64-52 defeat in the regional semifinals at the hands of the No. 22 Broncos on Friday at Littleton Gymnasium in San Antonio.

Brandeis will face the winner of Converse Judson and Laredo United at 2 p.m. Saturday in the regional final.

“Brandeis is a heck of a team,” Los Fresnos coach Marco Hinojosa said. “They’re well-coached, we knew it was going to be a tough task. Those guys competed well, they just did.”

Hinojosa added he thought the difference in the game was Brandeis’ 3-point shooting ability. The Broncos (32-3) made nine 3s and shot nearly 50 percent from behind the arc.

‪Kyle Schaefer led the way for Brandeis with 17 points, and he and Tanner Brown (13 points) each made three 3s.

Brandeis coach Marc Gardner exploited matchup advantages with long wings like Gavin Gibson, who finished with 15 points, and Andrew Lazinbat, who added 14 points.

The Broncos’ 6-foot-4 center, Ty Fontenot, helped Brandeis control the glass.

‪Elian Gonzalez scored 14 points, Gerry Martinez had 13 and Ricky Altamirano added 12 for the Falcons.

“We knew we could win this game, but at the end of the day, we just competed all the way to the end,” Altamirano said. “I just love that I played for my brothers, and we had fun and did what we did best.”

It was a tight game separated at most by a possession or two for all but the last four minutes of the fourth quarter. Brandeis outscored Los Fresnos 20-10 during the final period.

The first quarter ended with both teams even at 17. The Falcons made three 3-pointers in the period, and just one more after that, which came in the fourth quarter.

Brandeis led 27-26 at the half.

‪The Broncos began to tighten their grip on the game when Gibson took advantage of a mismatch against Alex Moreno (four points) with 1:46 to go, drawing a foul and making the basket but missing the ensuing free throw and putting his team ahead 42-38.

“We knew Los Fresnos was a very good team,” Gardner said. “We were kind of familiar with them, but until you see them in person. … Their style is so different than anything you see in our district. The fact that they’re athletic and able to drive, it took us a while to match up to that.”

Gardner said the key for his squad in the second half was more motion on offense.

“When (Los Fresnos) went zone on us halfway through the first quarter, we just started standing around and firing 3s,” Gardner said. “And they weren’t falling, and you could see from our body language that we got kind of frustrated. So that’s what we talked about (at halftime), that we’ve got to keep moving, and I thought we finally started doing that in the second half.”

The Falcons trailed 44-42 at the end of the third quarter.

Gonzalez swished a corner 3 to narrow the lead to 46-45 with 6:01 to go, and that was the closest the Falcons came, as Brown and Schaefer combined for 13 points in the fourth.

“Basketball is a game of runs,” Hinojosa said. “It was one possession that hurt us. We went for a 3, and that opened up (the deficit) to eight. We just couldn’t recover from that.”

Schaefer’s left-handed floater gave the Broncos a 14-point advantage with a minute left, the largest lead of the night.

The Falcons end the season with a mark of 33-4.

Gonzalez said the program’s 2019-20 season will be a source of motivation for future Falcons and other schools across the Rio Grande Valley.

“We wanted to set the bar for the young ones,” Gonzalez said. “We wanted to show the Valley that we could do it, that we competed against a talented school like Brandeis and show them that anything is possible. We had to go through a lot of adversity, by not getting past the second round (last season). We got here to the fourth round, and we want people to look up to us and show them that they can do it.”

In 2020 and beyond, it will be the responsibility of Martinez, Moreno and others to uphold the tradition of success the Falcons have established.

“Our job is to come back and make it past the Sweet 16,” Martinez said. “These seniors set a high standard, and I’m trying to live up to that standard.”