By CLAIRE CRUZ, Staff Writer
The accolades just keep coming for the Los Fresnos Falcons and Santa Maria Cougars after their strong seasons that ended in the Sweet 16.
Los Fresnos coach Marco Hinojosa and Santa Maria coach Albert Briones were both named outstanding coaches by the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches. One coach from each of the four regions in each classification is named a finalist for the Don Coleman Coach of the Year award.
Hinojosa was named the Class 6A Region IV outstanding coach along with finalists Billy Gofney from Westfield in Region II and Tompkins coach Bobby Sanders out of Region III. Grand Prairie’s Barron Brown from Region I won the Don Coleman award.
“It is very humbling and quite an honor with there being a lot of great coaches that are more deserving, but I think it speaks volumes about our players,” Hinojosa said. “We had a special group of guys that bought into a system of team basketball and unselfish play. And of course, I am surrounded by great assistants. They play a huge role in our team.”
Briones represented Region IV among the Class 2A outstanding coaches. The award went to Gary coach Jimmy Wallace from Region III. Kyle Igo from Sundown in Region I and Steven Lambeth from McLeod in Region II were the other finalists.
“It’s a great honor to be recognized by your peers at the regional and state level,” Briones said. “I am a constant student of the game and feel that we never stop learning. I have been picking the brains of veteran coaches like Gabe Valdez, Jaime Gongora, Jose G. Guzman and hall of famer Roy Garcia. I also want to give thanks to my assistant coaches Guzman and Arnold Gonzalez. They bring many years of knowledge and styles of coaching.”
The award’s namesake, Don Coleman, was a longtime basketball coach in the Houston area. He began coaching at Aldine High School before moving over to Memorial High School upon its opening. He won 893 games and the 1966 state championship with the Memorial Mustangs and was a three-time state finalist.
Coleman died at the age of 87 in February. The TABC renamed the outstanding coach of the year award for the hall of famer in 1999.
The accomplishment of Hinojosa and Briones comes on the heels of another set of TABC honors. On Tuesday, the all-region teams were announced, and both the Falcons and Cougars had two players make the cut.
Ricky Altamirano and Elian Gonzalez were the two Falcons named to the Class 6A all-region team. Hinojosa was quick to give the credit for his being a Don Coleman finalist and all the recognition the program has been getting to his players.
“I tell the kids, they are the ones that put the ball in the hole and get the stops. The main reason for me to be a finalist is because of the kids,” Hinojosa said. “Ricky and Elian were two special seniors. In order for us to go out and do what we did, we needed both of them to play at a high level. They were both focused, hungry and they brought a leadership this year that the team needed. They answered the bell.”
Bernie Castellanos and Giovanni Diaz were the Class 2A all-region honorees for the Cougars. Briones echoed Hinojosa’s sentiments that the efforts of his players is the key to the success and recognition.
“It means that all the hard work these student-athletes are doing year round is working. We have some outstanding athletes and that does make it easier as coaches,” Briones said. “Bernie and Gio were great for us but we had many good players. Our best shooter Andrew Morales could have easily been selected as well. All coaches have different styles, but to get the best out of your players is what makes you a better coach.”
Other Coleman winners included Shannon Spencer of Lake Creek in Class 5A, China Spring’s Phil McCaslin in 4A, Troy Willis of Bells in 3A and Waelder’s David Graves in 1A.
The Dean Weese Coach of the Year award winners in girls basketball were Nicole Collins of Cedar Hill in 6A, Midlothian’s Amy Tennison in 5A, Kayla Josey of Brazosport in 4A, Howe’s Derek Lands in 3A, Denise Lincoln of Kerens in 2A and New Home’s Stacy Manning in 1A.