The 2024 high school football season is officially underway, with teams hitting the practice field across the Rio Grande Valley.

With Week 1 of the regular season looming, the RGVSports.com staff compiled a list of the top 30 returning RGV football players for the 2024 season.

Our list continues with a pair of powerful ball-carriers from the Lower Valley, a defensive duo from the Mid-Valley and an experienced signal-caller from Mission, the quarterback capital of the RGV.

Be sure to check back every Wednesday and Saturday as we announce more players from the list leading up to the reveal of the top five players in the 2024 RGVSports.com Football Tab on Aug. 28.

No. 21: LB Matthew Cano, sr., Edcouch-Elsa

2023 Stats: 134 total tackles, 22 TFL, 13.5 sacks, 11 QB hurries, two interceptions, four forced fumbles

Notes: Leading the Yellow Jackets’ “Thunder Defense” is Cano, a versatile outside linebacker who leaves his fingerprints all over the game. He can blow up running plays in the backfield and apply non-stop pressure on passing downs to slow opposing offenses. Cano gives Edcouch-Elsa the top returning defensive standout in a wide open District 16-5A DII.

22. QB Diego Salinas, sr., Mission High

2023 Stats: 2,067 passing yards, 19 TDs, 795 rushing yards, five TDs

Notes: Salinas earned his starting spot as a freshman and now enters his senior season as one of the RGV’s most experienced passers. The Mission quarterback can do damage with his arm and legs after accounting for 24 total touchdowns as a junior. With Mission moving down from Class 6A to 5A, Salinas should have the Eagles ready to soar in 2024.

23. RB Noah Huerta, jr., Harlingen High

2023 Stats: 143 carries, 942 yards, 18 TDs

Notes: Huerta exploded onto the scene as a sophomore with the Cardinals by rumbling for nearly 1,000 yards and 18 scores. With holes to fill in the passing game, expect Harlingen to rely on its lead back early and often. If Huerta can take another step forward after an offseason spent getting bigger, stronger and faster, he’s primed to be one of the area’s top rushers.

24. FB Alvin Trevillion, sr., Brownsville Veterans

2023 Stats: 221 carries, 1,497 yards, 10 TDs

Notes: The Chargers’ ground game has its leading rusher back in the fold as Trevillion and company are ready to run wild following Brownsville Veterans’ state semifinal appearance a season ago. Trevillion runs with balance, quickness, strength and a low center of gravity, making it a tough task for defenders to bring him down.

25. DB Gabriel Horta, sr., Weslaco East

2023 Stats: 53 tackles, three INTs

Notes: Horta has established himself as a shutdown corner in a strong secondary that will lead the Weslaco East defense in 2024. He’s a ballhawk that can take away receiving threats and make opposing quarterbacks pay if they throw in his direction. With few returners offensively, Weslaco East will lean on Horta and the defense to stay in the fight in a new-look District 15-5A DI.

This post was originally published on this site

All-area selection for The Monitor:

MVP – Mia Rodriguez, Weslaco High

The Panthers had a team full of leaders and high IQ players that led them to a 6A state title, Mia Rodriguez was one of the most impressive. 

Rodriguez was terrific offensively and defensively. Rodriguez finished the season with a .467 batting average, .589 on-base percentage, 49 hits, 10 home runs, 53 RBIs and drew 33 walks. 

Rodriguez finished the season with a .954 fielding percentage and helped turn 9 double plays. 

Rodriguez is off to Midland College after being one of the most impactful players for the Panthers during their state championship run. 

Co-Offensive Players of the Year – Alexis Soliz/Romy Nuñez, Weslaco High

Weslaco High seniors Alexis Soliz and Romy Nuñez were two of the Panthers most well rounded hitters on the way to a state title. 

Both came up huge in the bottom of the seventh against Waco Midway, driving in runs. 

Soliz batted .400 with 44 hits, 6 homers, 38 RBIs and .496 on-base percentage. Nuñez finished with .406 average, 43 hits, 6 home runs and 38 RBIs as well. 

Nuñez signed with Schreiner University while Soliz is going to Texas A&M Kingsville. 

Defensive Player of the Year – Elizabeth Craig, Weslaco High

Angelina College is going to pick up a stud at first base for the spring college softball season. Craig was one of the Valley’s lengthiest first baseman, cutting down that throw to her by a few inches, making throws easier for the infielders. 

Craig finished the season with a .982 fielding percentage and was also one of the best hitters for the state champions. Craig had a crucial hit during the comeback against Waco Midway. 

Utility Player of the Year – Clarissa Mejia, Weslaco High

Weslaco High’s Clarissa Mejia moved between catcher and designated hitter her sophomore year, thriving in both roles. 

Mejia batted .453 with 53 hits, 12 homers and 57 RBIs. 

Mejia’s power helped lift the Panthers over the edge, it was something they needed the year before and Mejia complimented the other power hitters in the lineup well. 

Pitcher of the Year – Madelynn Cantu, Weslaco High

Weslaco High pitcher Madelynn Cantu emerged as the THSWA 6A MVP after a fabulous season that saw her win 30 games with 196 strikeouts and 2.075 ERA.

Cantu threw all but 30 innings for the state champs and will have two more years like Mejia. The Valley is loaded with talented pitchers, especially the next two years and Cantu is up there at the top of the list. 

Co-Newcomers of the Year – Aubrey Garza and Arianna Lugo, PSJA High 

PSJA High made it past the first round only to lose a close one-game playoff to San Antonio O’Connor. The Bears should have everyone back including Aubrey Garza and Arianna Lugo, two freshman last year.

Garza batted .523 with 7 home runs, 38 RBIs and 45 hits with a perfect fielding percentage while Lugo batted .483, 43 hits, 32 RBIs and a .966 fielding percentage.

Coach of the Year – Mario Rodriguez, Weslaco High

Weslaco High head coach Mario Rodriguez should have been inducted into the Rio Grande Valley Sports Hall of Fame this summer, but there is next summer right? 

Rodriguez helped guide the Weslaco Panthers to the Class 6A state title after already making to the state final four earlier in his tenure. Rodriguez is one of the best to do it in RGV softball history. 

Rodriguez’s team was extremely plate disciplined, clutch – obviously – and filled with leaders with high softball IQ influenced by the coaching staff led by Rodriguez. 

This post was originally published on this site

Check out the reported RGV high school cross country results from this past weekend. Coaches, please report any updates or corrections to [email protected]. 

36^th Annual Yellow Jacket Invitational

David Ybarra Middle School

Edcouch, TX

Individual

Boys

1. Raphael Garcia, Eagle Pass, 16:18.23; 2. Juan Manuel Aguinaga, Edcouch-Elsa, 16:22.90; 3. Alex Alvarez, Eagle Pass, 16:23.80; 4. Zachary Lamar, Harlingen High, 16:27.11; 5. Jose Ventura, Lasara, 16:27.57; 6. Ubaldo Flores, Harlingen High, 16:42.14; 7. Yahir Martinez, Edinburg Economedes, 16:49.99; 8. Javier Ramirez, Eagle Pass Winn, 16:51.61; 9. Oscar Valencia, Edinburg Economedes, 17:03.70; 10. Raymond Mandell, Eagle Pass, 17:04.09.

Girls

1. Dana Rojas Vazquez, McAllen High, 17:53.08; 2. Kenzi Ramirez, McAllen High, 19:18.84; 3. Cierra Garcia, La Feria, 20:25.83; 4. Samar Gully, McAllen High, 20:25.83; 5. Sophia Simpson, McAllen High, 20:34.40; 6. Julianna Garcia, Harlingen High, 20:54.55; 7. Mia Cerda, La Feria, 20:54.93; 8. Olivia Martinez, Edcouch-Elsa, 21:25.35; 9. Destiny Duran, Harlingen High, 21:36.88; 10. Aileen Velasquez, Eagle Pass, 21:49.03.

Team

Boys

1. Eagle Pass, 36; 2. Harlingen High, 58; 3. Edinburg Economedes, 98; 4. Edcouch-Elsa, 115; 5. Progreso, 120; 6. Eagle Pass Winn, 139; 7. La Joya Juarez-Lincoln, 175; 8. Hidalgo, 183.

Girls

1. McAllen High, 27; 2. Harlingen High, 62; 3. La Feria, 65; 4. Eagle Pass, 77; 5. Edcouch-Elsa, 106.

 

Weslaco ISD Invitational

Mary Hoge Middle School

Weslaco, TX

Individual

Boys

1. Adrianno Gonzalez, Weslaco East, 16:21.7; 2. Kai Sepulveda, Harlingen South, 16:32.0; 3. Aaron Nava, Weslaco East, 16:46.5; 4. Octavian De La Serna, Weslaco East, 16:54.0; 5. Joshua Rodriguez, Weslaco High, 16:54. 6; 6. Alexander Nava, Weslaco East, 17:03.3; 7. Aron Martinez, Weslaco East, 17:23.0; 8. Adolfo Adame, Donna High, 17:54.8; 9. Oscar Leal, Donna High, 18:06.7; 10. Jeremiah Trejo, Donna High, 18:39.7.

Girls

1. Andrea Quintero, Weslaco East, 20:06.5; 2. Yazmin Guerra, PSJA Southwest, 20:08.2; 3. Sofia Holmes, Brownsville Hanna, 20:49.9; 4. Tea Martinez, Weslaco East, 21:23.1; 5. Jessica De Leon, Harlingen South, 21:47.2; 6. Mattie Castillo, Weslaco East, 21:56.6; 7. Aamarie Ebarb, Weslaco High, 22:03.9; 8. Sophia Jimenez, Harlingen South, 22:17.2; 9. Vanessa Garcia, Harlingen South, 22:18.9; 10. Camelya Gomez, PSJA Memorial, 22:35.2.

Team

Boys

1. Weslaco East, 19; 2. Donna High, 53; 3. Harlingen South, 60; 4. Brownsville Veterans, 102.

Girls

1. Weslaco East, 36; 2. Harlingen South, 37; 3. Weslaco High, 59; 4. PSJA Memorial, 92.

James Nikke Rowe Invitational

McAllen Rowe High School

McAllen, TX

Individual

Boys

1. David Zuniga, Sharyland Pioneer, 16:30.90; 2. Josue Cisneros, Mission High, 16:57.00; 3. Joaquin Padron, Edinburg Vela, 17:18.20; 4. Christiano San Martin, Mission High, 17:42.40; 5. Israel Lozano, McAllen Rowe, 17:54.40; 6. Jorge Valdez, McAllen Rowe, 18:00.20; 7. Diego Gonzalez, Sharyland Pioneer, 18:01.50; 8. Ramiro Ibarra, Mission High, 18:13.00; 9. James Krider-Gonzalez, Sharyland Pioneer, 18:24.00; 10. Jose Ibarra, Mission High, 18:29.20.

Girls

1. Genesis Ramirez, La Joya Palmview, 19:00.30; 2. Dana Rodriguez, Edinburg Vela, 19:36.90; 3. Galilea Carranza, Edinburg Vela, 20:50.60; 4. Asante Stewart, La Joya High, 21:08.50; 5. Andrea Colon, La Joya Palmview, 21:08.90; 6. Yaretzy Buentello, Sharyland Pioneer, 21:13.20; 7. Jacqueline Garcia, McAllen Rowe, 21:14.80; 8. Cintia Ganoa, Sharyland Pioneer, 21:27.80; 9. Adamaris Chico, La Joya Palmview, 21:54.40; 10. Alexia Rosas, PSJA North, 21:55.10.

Team

Boys

1. Mission High, 36; 2. Sharyland Pioneer, 51; 3. McAllen Rowe, 62; 4. Edinburg Vela, 85; 5. PSJA North, 115.

Girls

1. La Joya Palmview, 35; 2. Edinburg Vela, 40; 3. McAllen Rowe, 70; 4. PSJA North, 88; 5. Mission High.

This post was originally published on this site

The All-Area awards for the Valley Morning Star/Brownsville Herald.

MVP – Amira Rodriguez, Harlingen South

The soon to be senior is the only player in Valley history to appear in two state tournaments. 

The D1 talent was key in helping guide the Hawks to the state tournament this season as one of the best hitters in the state and having a strong arm in the circle when needed. 

Rodriguez was tied for first in the state in RBIs with 73 and 12th in the nation. 

The future Washington Husky batted .570 on 73 hits with 15 homers, went 6-1 as a starter in the circle and a .933 fielding percentage at third base. 

Offensive Player of the Year – Yezenia Perez, Harlingen South

Harlingen South infielder Yezenia Perez destroyed District 32-5A to earn MVP honors and was super clutch in the deeper rounds of the playoffs to help the Hawks reach a state title game. 

Perez batted .445 this season on 53 hits. Perez hit 20 home runs, the sixth most in the state. She also drove in 64 runs. 

Perez is headed to Our Lady of the Lake, the NAIA national champs in 2024. 

Defensive Player of the Year – Ella Sulkazi, Los Fresnos

Los Fresnos shortstop Ella Sulkazi finished the season 74 put outs and was one of the best players not on one of the top teams in the Valley. 

Sulkazi signed with the University of Rhode Island before helping the Falcons reach the playoffs. Sulkazi had a lot of volume at short stop and a lot of the balls were well hit against her Falcons team that finished fourth in District 32-6A. 

Pitcher of the Year – Lexi Sandoval, Harlingen South

The Valley is loaded with pitching talent, but none probably improved as much as Lexi Sandoval this season. 

Sandoval was amazing especially in the state semifinals where she threw six shut innings against Aledo to win 1-0 and book a spot in the final. 

Sandoval went 21-2 as a starter, finishing with 201 strikeouts on a 127.2 innings pitched. 

Utility Player of the Year – Jaylin Mata, Harlingen South

Depending on who was in the circle for the Hawks is where Jaylin Mata took the field that day. Mata was instrumental in the Hawks not skipping a beat regardless of her playing left field, or third base. 

Mata batted .398 with six homers, drove in 47 runs, had a .952 fielding percentage and stole three bases. 

Mata had a clutch walk-off against Leander in the fourth round and will be a key player next season as a junior. 

Newcomer – Alyssa Lezama, Brownsville Lopez

Brownsville Lopez’s Alyssa Lezama has seen two sisters make it to the next level, she could be next. 

Lezama batted .443 on 39 hits, drove in 27 runs and had two home runs. The freshman played third base and finished with a .900 fielding percentage. 

Third base is tough for a freshman and Lezama held her own and will be a key player on a Lopez team that should have some pretty high expectations despite being in the same district as one of the best teams in the state. 

Coach of the Year – Joey Rios, Harlingen South  

Harlingen South head coach Joey Rios picked up a terrific player when Rodriguez transferred, no doubt. 

It really did push Harlingen South over its second round hump, but the players that have been in the program with Rios took it up a notch this season. 

All of them became better under Rios, and yes, travel ball plays a part in that as well, but the high school level softball coaching in the Valley is strong and Rios is up there with the best of them. 

Plate discipline and coming through in clutch situations are two key signs that a team is well coached in the sport. The Hawks demonstrated that throughout the playoffs. 

Rios is one of only two coaches in RGV history to ever coach in a softball state title game. 

This post was originally published on this site

SANTA MARIA — Monday marked the start of the 2024 Texas high school football season and a new tradition in Santa Maria with Midnight Madness as the Cougars’ football, volleyball, and cross-country teams held their first official practices as soon as the clock hit 12 a.m.

Santa Maria head coach Israel Gracia said Santa Maria’s start of Midnight Madness was to begin the 2024-25 athletic year with a bang.

“I just wanted to kickstart the season and something new for these kids. I wanted them to feel the energy and you can feel the energy here tonight,” Gracia said.

Santa Maria is coming off a 7-4 finish in 2023 and has 13 returning starters ready to take another step forward this season. Junior quarterback Miguel Alaniz and junior running back Daniel Martinez will be key offensively, while sophomore Jason Aleman and junior Justin Martinez will play key roles on the front line.

The Cougars will be competing in a new-look District 16-2A DI this year with Freer, Premont, Refugio, Riviera-Kaufer, Skidmore-Tynan and Three Rivers, and are scheduled to open the regular season against La Villa on Aug. 30 at Cougar Stadium in Santa Maria.

Santa Maria wasn’t the only team to hit the gridiron at the strike of midnight.

Over at Elsa, the Yellow Jackets kicked off Year 2 under head coach Victor Cardenas with the return of midnight madness. Excitement was in the air as Edcouch-Elsa took the field at 12:01 a.m. for the start of what many expect to be a dominant season.

“Midnight madness is very exciting because the fans come out, the band, the cheerleaders, just everyone out there under the lights,” Edcouch-Elsa linebacker Matthew Cano said. “It’s exciting and feels great.”

Cano is one of roughly 30 seniors returning for the Yellow Jackets this year, including 18 which are slated to start. The senior is the heart and soul of Edcouch’s “Thunder Defense”, tallying 134 total tackles, 22 tackles for loss and 13.5 sacks one year ago.

He’ll be joined by seven other returning starters on defense, setting them up for a potentially dominant campaign.

The offense brings back equally electric playmakers, including quarterback Elijah Trevino. The dynamic signal caller lit up the competition last year, racking up 2,250 total yards and 30 total touchdowns to lead Edcouch to their fifth straight playoff appearance.

Day 1 of practice was just the first step for the Yellow Jackets quest for their first district title since 2013, eyeing an undefeated season and a deep playoff run this season.

There is higher expectations this season,” Trevino said. “We’re expected to go deeper and have a better record. Our main goal right now is to win a district championship. With all our guys and the experience, we feel ready. This could be our season. We’re just all ready for it.”

Other teams taking the field during Monday’s return to practice included Brownsville St. Joseph and San Benito, among several others.

Some teams will have to wait until next Monday to get things started, with only sub-5A teams and 5A/6A teams who didn’t compete in spring ball able to begin practice yesterday.

The post RGV teams hit the gridiron for first day of practice appeared first on MyRGV.com.

This post was originally published on this site

Offensive Player of the Year: Ashley Gonzalez, Harvest Christian

Harvest Christian’s Ashley Gonzalez made it look natural when she had the basketball in her hands.

Gonzalez averaged 22 points per game this season along with 4.5 assists to help lead the Eagles to a TAPPS 1A state title.

Gonzalez is The Monitor’s 2023-24 Girls Basketball Offensive Player of the Year

The senior guard scored more than 3,000 points during her four years at Harvest Christian and will play college basketball next season at Southwestern Assemblies of God University in Waxahachie.

Gonzalez could do it all offensively and at times looked miles ahead skill-wise from some of her opponents as the Eagles played and beat some of the best teams in the Valley.

Co-Defensive Players of the Year: Emily Carranco and Madison Martinez, Edinburg High

Defense wins titles and helps create offense in basketball, and the Valley’s best team, Edinburg High, did just that as it was led by two of their best players Emily Carranco and Madison Martinez.

Carranco was terrific at leading the zone and using her length to cut off passing lanes, and shifting down to contest shots and gather rebounds. Carranco grabbed five defensive rebounds, three steals and a block per game for the Bobcats this season.

“(Carranco) did a great job of being our tallest girl,” Edinburg High head coach JD Salinas said. “She did not have a whole lot of blocks, but she had good timing, especially when we needed that play.”

The Bobcats had defense practices on Wednesdays after Tuesday games that were challenging, Martinez said.

Martinez was lockdown on the perimeter and swiped four steals a night to lead the team and also grabbed 3.5 defensive rebounds a game. Salinas praised Martinez’s IQ while playing defense.

“Personally, I prefer defense over offense,” Martinez said. “It felt like everything came natural so when I saw my stats at the end of the season updated, it felt good. I enjoyed playing defense.”

Martinez signed to play college hoops at Concordia. Carranco signed to play with Texas A&M University-San Antonio.

Both turned their defense into offense. Carranco averaged 23 points, and Martinez dropped 17 a game.

Utility Player of the Year: JaNai Coleman, Edinburg Vela

The Upper Valley was loaded with talented players that could do it all, and one of those all-around standouts was JaNai Coleman.

Coleman did it all for the SaberCats to earn the The Monitor’s Utility Player of the Year award.

The senior guard averaged a double-double to help the SaberCats to a co-District 31-5A title and a 5A area-round win.

Coleman averaged 20 points, 10 rebounds, 3.5 steals and two assists a game as she covered the entire court for Edinburg Vela. Coleman easily beat players on the dribble, had a terrific stepback and could go down low for easy buckets.

“I did as much as I could even through my injuries or body aches,” Coleman said. “I just pushed through because I love the sport of basketball and I wanted to get my up there again.”

Coleman showed off those abilities in the area game against Gregory-Portland in Falfurrias.

The all-around standout has decided to stay in Edinburg to play college basketball. Coleman is going to sign with UTRGV.

Newcomer of the Year: Ebonie Chatman, Sharyland Pioneer

Sharyland Pioneer’s Ebonie Chatman set District 31-5A on fire as a freshman, averaging 15 points and eight rebounds a game for the Diamondbacks to help them to a share of the 31-5A title after missing out on the playoffs the year prior.

Chatman is The Monitor’s Newcomer of the Year.

The Diamondbacks’ freshman led her team in scoring and also chipped in with three steals, two assists and a block per game.

Chatman and the Diamondbacks also took home a bi-district playoff victory, and in important games late in the season Chatman would receive special defensive coverage from opposing teams.

Chatman said she needs to work on some things still, pointing out offensive rebounding and her defense as some area she will be working on.

“I have been working and playing basketball my whole life,” Chatman said. “So, it finally beginning to show feels really good.”

The next three years look bright for Chatman at Pioneer.

Sub-5A MVP: Layla Perez, Donna IDEA 

Donna IDEA’s Layla Perez averaged nearly a triple-double her senior year to earn District 31-3A’s MVP award for the second straight season.

Perez is The Monitor’s Sub-5A MVP for the 2023-2024 season.

The Upper Valley is loaded with teams competing in Class 5A and 6A of UIL basketball. Class 3A teams — particularly from the IDEA school system — are still progressing, and Perez was a key player in that development.

“Growing up at IDEA, no one ever talked about athletics,” Perez said. “We’ve always been the underdogs, people don’t usually know who we are and any opportunity I’m given to be able to put us out there and get everyone to take notice of us I’ll do it.”

“This program has given me the to freedom to grow as a person, being able to show little girls in my school that you can do it too. It has just been a dream come true, when I was little I made a goal for myself to be the first person at IDEA Donna to hit 1,000 points and being able to do it and make history was so amazing,” Perez said.

Perez averaged 19 points, 11 steals and nearly nine rebounds a game. Perez was also awarded with all-region honors after helping Donna IDEA to a bi-district playoff victory this season

“She spent summers and offseason working on perfecting her craft and skills. She took my 8 underclassmen under her wing and showed them the ropes of Lady Titan basketball. She leaves a great legacy that has been noticed by our younger athletes being a 2 time 3A all region team, 2 time 31-3A District MVP, New Comer of the Year, and The Monitor Sub 5A MVP and of course being the First Lady Titan to score 1000 career points,” IDEA Donna head coach Andrew Sierra said.

Co-Coaches of the Year: John David Salinas, Edinburg High and Jaime Gonzalez, Harvest Christian

The Upper Valley was loaded with terrific coaching in 2023-24, especially in the Edinburg area, where three of the top teams resided.

Edinburg High’s John David Salinas led the Bobcats to a 36-3 record, a district title and an area-round win, and Harvest Christian’s Jaime Gonzalez went 42-1 and won the TAPPS 1A state title.

Gonzalez praised his team for maintaining that vision and working hard every day at practice.

“As long as we were getting better that was the goal every day,” Gonzalez said. “When you have a vision in mind and you work at it every day, you try to enjoy it as much as you can by creating memories along the way – the end result when you get there is always a rewarding one. That is what we preach and had this year.”

Gonzalez said that was reinforced the last couple of seasons and as the Eagles successfully defended their state title.

The two Edinburg coaches helped develop some of the best talent in the Valley that helped power their programs to success during the 2023-24 season and likely into the future with both programs still rich with talent.

The games Edinburg High lost were all in the single digits, with the highest being by eight points against San Antonio Harlan, and the only loss that Harvest Christian had was to Edinburg High by six points.

Salinas is always quick to praise his staff for their hard work and of course the team that was the best in the Valley.

“I knew we were going to be good, I didn’t know we were going to be 36-3,” Salinas said. “That is an incredible record and probably won the best record in the history of EHS.”

This post was originally published on this site

Only have a minute? Listen instead

Andrea Ortiz is suddenly a cliché.

That’s how much her name has been said since Saturday evening. The pace is not slowing down, either. If it’s not a household name yet, it will be shortly, and for quite a long time.

In what arguably could be the greatest and most significant high school sports moment ever in the Rio Grande Valley, Ortiz put an exclamation point as the final punctuation of the story, hitting a dramatic grand slam while her Weslaco High Panthers trailed 9-7 against Waco Midway for the UIL Class 6A softball state championship.

It’s Class 6A, the largest schools in Texas. It was the biggest moment of the more-than-month-long state tournament. It deserved big drama. It earned big drama. It was as if Ortiz and the Lady Panthers directed the made-for-the-big-screen-moment. Some even are saying it may have been the biggest moment in UIL softball history.

The grand slam gave Weslaco the first softball championship in Valley history. Not even Stephen Spielberg could’ve written or created such a fantasy world with that type of ending.

Down 9-7, Ortiz’s one swing turned it into a celebration. The only concern was whether or not she would pass her own teammates on the base paths as they all celebrated wildly, each sprinting to reach home plate. They must’ve pinched themselves when they got there — was this really real, did this truly happen?

11-9, game over. Weslaco Panthers, Class 6A state champions.

Prior to that, Ortiz wasn’t having what she would consider a magical individual postseason performance. In the state semifinal against Denton Guyer, she threw her helmet down in frustration after striking out during one at-bat. Later during that 13-inning heart attack, Ortiz laid down a bunt that advanced a runner to second with the game tied. Ema Galvan singled and brought Romy Nuñez home from second.

So, it would be fair to say and Ortiz had the most impact with her big hit and most critical “non hit” for Weslaco en route to becoming queens of the ballpark. It took big hits all season, during the playoffs, during the state semifinal matchup and, throughout that seventh inning where Panther after Panther turned clutch.

But at the plate in the seventh, less than a day after her bunt, none of that mattered. Going into that last inning, none of the girls wanted to make the final out.  If you look at the boxscore today, there’s still just one out; there will never be more than that.

Ortiz came to the plate for the fourth time in the game. Waco pitcher Lanee Brown couldn’t have asked for much more. Here was a batter who was not only 0-for-3 at the plate, but Brown had struck her out twice already.

This is when all the other clichés came forward — things like never ever give up, time to step up, play with your heart, you’ve got to want it more — the same phrases that coaches tell kids (and the media) thousands of times. None of these, however, were clichés anymore. They were real life.

On a 3-2, pitch, with one out, Ortiz struck down Goliath. (Another cliché moment)

The rest is history — and there is no argument — it was the greatest moment in RGV high school sports.

Congratulations to Ortiz and to the Weslaco Panthers. As Kobe Bryant once asked, “is the job done?”

Yes it is, Weslaco. Yes, indeed.

This post was originally published on this site