By STEFAN MODRICH, Staff Writer
Girls basketball coaches across the East Valley voted to select all-district teams for their respective districts shortly after the conclusion of the season, which ended prematurely at some levels when the University Interscholastic League first suspended play March 13 due to the spread of COVID-19.
Los Fresnos senior Ari Gallardo was named the most valuable player in District 32-6A. Other superlative honorees in 32-6A included Harlingen High sophomore Avery Hinojosa — the offensive MVP and leading scorer for the District 32-6A champions — Harlingen South senior Julia Celis, the defensive MVP, and Harlingen High freshman Rosa Zapata, the newcomer of the year.
The 2019-20 District 32-6A first team is comprised of Harlingen High juniors Callie Cervantes and Alexus Coto, Los Fresnos sophomore Sarahi Jones, Los Fresnos senior Clarissa Esquibel, Harlingen South senior Karla Reyes and Brownsville Hanna senior Odalys Gonzalez.
In District 32-5A, Brownsville Veterans Memorial’s Arnold Torres was selected as coach of the year. Lady Chargers senior Lizzie Garza was a unanimous choice among 32-5A coaches for MVP, as the leading scorer for district champion Brownsville Veterans.
Mercedes senior Mikia Vento was the offensive player of the year, and Brownsville Veterans senior Alexandra Parchmont and Valley View senior Daniela Garza shared defensive player of the year honors.
Lady Chargers freshman Alexa Torres and Valley View freshman Jescilya Prado split the newcomer of the year award.
Three Brownsville student-athletes were voted onto the 32-5A first team, including Brownsville Veterans sophomores Caite Esquivel and Byranna Biutereria, and Brownsville Pace senior Sofia Espinoza.
Edcouch-Elsa senior Nyra Jimenez, Donna High sophomore Ivette Valladares, and Valley View junior Jimena Munoz and senior Alexis Ortegon rounded out the first-team selections.
Three East Valley players received superlative awards in District 32-4A — the defensive player of the year honors went to Port Isabel senior Ryley Galvan, and Lady Tarpons junior Whitney Zaloski shared the sixth man of the year distinction with Hidalgo senior Vanessa Espinoza.
Rio Hondo freshman Eliza Rodriguez was selected as newcomer of the year.
Hidalgo cleaned up in the rest of the 32-4A award voting —coach of the year went to the Lady Pirates’ Saul Arjona, senior Savannah Sanchez was named MVP, and senior Carolina Carbajal was selected as offensive player of the year.
La Feria sophomore Alani Garza, Port Isabel junior Sabrina Gonzalez, Rio Hondo junior Natalie Martinez and Raymondville senior Ilanie Zamora represented the East Valley on the all-district first team. Also on the 32-4A first team are Zapata senior Elaine Lopez and Hidalgo seniors Soleil Garza and Elisa De La Pena.
In District 32-3A, the MVP award went to Brownsville Jubilee freshman Mariana Espinosa, the top player for the district champion Lady Titans.
The Lyford trio of sophomore Damaris Bermudez (offensive player of the year), senior Samantha Delgado (defensive player of the year) and freshman Marlina Perez (newcomer of the ear) swept the remaining three superlative categories.
Lady Bulldogs senior Kayleen May, Brownsville Jubilee’s Julissa Garza, Brownsville IDEA Frontier’s Sheyla Cosme and Alma Medellin, and Alondra De La Rosa of Monte Alto highlighted the 32-3A first team.
Also, Weslaco IDEA Pike’s Patty Gaytan and Victoria Rodriguez of Edinburg IDEA Quest were first-team selections.
Santa Maria was featured prominently in the District 32-2A superlative awards, headed by coach of the year selection Albert Briones, the bench boss of the district champion Lady Cougars.
Santa Maria senior Byanca Cantu and junior Yazmin Cantu were voted as co-MVPs, and Lady Cougars sophomore Anahi Magdaleno was named newcomer of the year.
San Perlita senior Meagan Kinney was selected as the offensive player of the year, and Lady Trojans sophomore Jasmine Rodriguez was picked for sixth man of the year honors.
San Isidro sophomore Mia Alvarado was named the defensive player of the year.
Seniors Daniela Rivera of Lasara and Jordan Garcia of San Isidro were unanimous first-team selections.
Other 32-2A players voted onto the first team were La Villa senior Yesenia Garcia, La Villa junior Gisela Tijerina, San Perlita senior Karime Rojas, San Perlita sophomore Aliyah Garcia, and Santa Maria seniors Michelle Almazan and Clara Briones.
District 32-6A
Most Valuable Player
Ari Gallardo, Sr., Los Fresnos
Offensive MVP
Avery Hinojosa, So., Harlingen High
Defensive MVP
Julia Celis, Sr., Harlingen South
Newcomer of the Year
Rosa Zapata, Fr., Harlingen High
First Team
Callie Cervantes, Jr., Harlingen High; Alexus Coto, Jr., Harlingen High; Sarahi Jones, So., Los Fresnos; Clarissa Esquibel; Karla Reyes, Sr. Harlingen South; Odalys Gonzalez, Sr., Brownsville Hanna
Second Team
Juli Bryant, Fr., Harlingen High; Alyssa Salas, Jr., Harlingen High; Sydney Portillo, Jr., Harlingen High; Olivia Parra, Fr., Los Fresnos; Alexes Rocha, So., Harlingen South; Karen Vega, Jr., San Benito; Alondra Guzman, Jr., Brownsville Rivera
Honorable Mention
Samantha Ramos, Sr., Brownsville Hanna; Alexis Alvarez, Jr., Brownsville Hanna; Kate Garza, So., Brownsville Hanna; Yazmine Rucoba So., Brownsville Hanna; Maranda Garza, So., Brownsville Rivera; Kenya Ibarra, So., Brownsville Rivera; Emery Scoggins, Fr., Harlingen High; Laylah Badiru, Jr., Harlingen High; Bianca Gonzalez, Sr., Harlingen South; Amber Lopez, Sr., Harlingen South; Giovanna Godoy, Sr., Los Fresnos; Victoria Hernandez, Jr., Los Fresnos; Maritza Ortega, Fr., Los Fresnos; Kayla Gaona, Jr., San Benito; Aries Naranjo Jr., San Benito; Deyanira Olguin Jr., San Benito
District 32-5A
Most Valuable Player
Lizzie Garza, Sr., Brownsville Veterans (unanimous)
Offensive Player of the Year
Mika Vento, Sr., Mercedes
Co-Defensive Player of the Year
Alexandra Parchmont, Sr., Brownsville Veterans; Daniela Garza, Sr. Valley View
Co-Newcomer of the Year
Alexa Torres, Fr., Brownsville Veterans; Jescilya Prado, Fr., Valley View
Coach of the Year
Arnold Torres Jr., Brownsville Veterans
All-Defensive Team
Caite Esquivel, Soph, Brownsville Veterans; Nyra Jimenez, Sr., Edcouch-Elsa; Ivette Valladares, Soph., Donna High; Jimena Munoz, Jr., Valley View; Sofia Espinosa, Sr., Brownsville Pace
First Team
Caite Esquivel, Soph., Brownsville Veterans; Byranna Biutereria, Soph., Brownsville Veterans; Nyra Jimenez, Sr., Edcouch Elsa; Ivette Valladares, Soph., Donna; Jimena Munoz, Jr., Valley View; Alexis Ortegon, Sr., Valley View; Sofia Espinoza, Sr., Brownsville Pace
Second Team
Sellie Gonzalez, Sr., Mercedes; Desiree Trevino, Sr., Brownsville Porter; Brenda Savariego, Jr., Brownsville Lopez; Juju Alvarez, Jr., Brownsville Veterans; Maddie Trevino, Jr., Edcouch-Elsa; Yzella Perez, Soph., Donna High; Priscilla Garcia, Sr., Brownsville Pace
Honorable Mention
Mallory Noriega, Jr., Mercedes; Karisa Moya, Sr., Mercedes; Caitlyn Acosta, Sr., Mercedes; Hailey Lozoya, Jr., Mercedes; Corina Limas, Soph.,Mercedes; Katherine Salas, Jr., Brownsville Porter; Adamari Arteaga, Sr., Brownsville Porter; Aliah Quiroz, Sr., Brownsville Porter; Sofia Castillo, Soph, Brownsville Lopez; Cielo Castillo, Soph., Brownsville Lopez; Areli Cisneros, Soph., Brownsville Lopez; Kassy Aguirre, Fresh., Brownsville Lopez; Fabiola Estrada, Jr., Brownsville Lopez; Annah Trevino, Sr., Brownsville Veterans; Mia Flores, Soph., Edcouch-Elsa; Victoria Mireles, Soph., Edcouch-Elsa; Josie Alvarado, Soph., Edcouch-Elsa; Alyssa Perez, Soph., Donna High; Gabrielle Campos, Sr., Donna High; Astrid Meza, Soph., Donna High; Julie Ponce, Jr., Valley View; Angela Garcia, Soph., Valley View; Monica Ortegon, Soph., Valley View; Sylvia Juarez, Sr., Brownsville Pace; Ana Briones, Jr., Brownsville Pace; Alessandra Rosario, Sr., Brownsville Pace
District 32-4A
Most Valuable Player
Savannah Sanchez, Sr, Hidalgo
Offensive Player of the Year
Carolina Carbajal, Sr., Hidalgo
Defensive Player of the Year
Ryley Galvan, Sr., Port Isabel
Newcomer of the Year
Eliza Rodriguez, Fr., Rio Hondo
Co-Sixth Man of the Year
Vanessa Espinoza, Sr., Hidalgo; Whitney Zaloski, Jr., Port Isabel
Coach of the Year: Saul Arjona, Hidalgo
First Team
Alani Garza, So., La Feria; Sabrina Gonzalez, Jr., Port Isabel; Natalie Martinez, Jr., Rio Hondo; Elaine Lopez, Sr., Zapata; Ilanie Zamora, Sr., Raymondville; Soleil Garza, Sr., Hidalgo; Elisa De La Pena, Sr., Hidalgo
Second Team
Chelsey Castillo, Sr., Grulla; Tamara Pecina, Sr., Progreso; Jazaline Ayala, Sr., Rio Hondo; Amanda Gomez Sr., Rio Hondo; Ayisha Andrews Sr., Rio Hondo; Kaelynn Gonzalez, Sr., Zapata; Melanie Salinas, Sr., Hidalgo
Honorable Mention
Sabrina Castaneda, Jr., La Feria; Jena Ochoa, Sr., La Feria; Maggie Cavazos, Sr., La Feria; Kaya Dickerson, Sr., La Feria; Aaliyah Stewart, Sr., La Feria; Samantha Chapa, So., Port Isabel; Layni Mata, Fr., Port Isabel; Karina Martinez Jr., Port Isabel; Gisell Borjas, So., Port Isabel; Mandy Perkins, So., Port Isabel; Annette Treviño, Jr., Grulla; Kiarabel Garza, Fr., Grulla; Chanaya Gonzalez, Jr., Grulla; Aleynie Martinez, Fr., Grulla; Desiree Gonzalez, Jr., Grulla; Syann Alanis, Fr., Progreso; Vanessa Martinez, Sr., Progreso; Galilea Pecina, Jr., Progreso; Leslie Barrera, Jr., Progreso; Carolina Lopez, Jr., Progreso; Estrella Garza, Sr., Rio Hondo; Alexis Rhyner, So., Rio Hondo; Mia Zuniga, Jr., Rio Hondo; Jessica Vasquez, Sr., Rio Hondo; Claudia Cuellar, Sr., Zapata; Victoria Vela, Jr., Zapata; Kassandra Bernal, Sr., Zapata; Alexa Delgado, So., Zapata; Miranda Hernandez, Jr., Raymondville; Caitlynn Brooks, So., Raymondville; Claudette Joe, Sr., Raymondville; Amber Tamez, So., Raymondville; Denae Hernandez, So., Raymondville; Pamela Espinoza, Jr., Hidalgo; Audrey Arjona, So., Hidalgo; Victoria Espinoza, So., Hidalgo; Danielle Rodriguez, Jr., Hidalgo; Maria Vargaz, Jr., Hidalgo; Jazlin Flores, Jr., Hidalgo
Academic All–District
Reanne Fraga, Jr., La Feria; Sabrina Castaneda Jr., La Feria; Grace Holmes Jr., La Feria; Ryley Galvan, Sr., Port Isabel; Brenda Peña, Jr., Port Isabel; Whitney Zaloski Jr., Port Isabel; Janessa Espinoza, Jr., Port Isabel; Samantha Chapa, Jr., Port Isabel; Karina Martinez, Jr., Port Isabel; Selena Cab, So., Port Isabel; Mandy Perkins, So., Port Isabel; Layni Mata, Fr., Port Isabel; Kiarabel Garza, Fr., Grulla; Angela Treviño, So., Grulla; Amanda Gomez, Sr., Rio Hondo; Ayisha Andrews, Sr., Rio Hondo; Jazaline Ayala, Sr., Rio Hondo; Natalie Martinez, Jr., Rio Hondo; Alexis Rhyner, So., Rio Hondo; Mia Zuniga, Jr., Rio Hondo; Jessica Vasquez, Jr., Rio Hondo; Claudette Joe, Sr., Raymondville; Ilanie Zamora, Sr., Raymondville; June Garcia, Sr., Raymondville; Caitlynn Brooks, So., Raymondville; Anissa Orozco, Jr., Raymondville; Carolina Carbajal, Sr., Hidalgo; Elisa De La Peña, Sr., Hidalgo; Pamela Espinoza, Jr., Hidalgo; Yazlin Flores, Jr., Hidalgo
District 32-3A
Most Valuable Player
Mariana Espinosa, Fr., Brownsville Jubilee
Offensive Player of the Year
Damaris Bermudez, So., Lyford
Defensive Player of the Year
Samantha Delgado, Sr., Lyford
Newcomer of the Year
Marlina Perez, Fr., Lyford
First Team
Kayleen May, Sr., Lyford; Patty Gaytan, IDEA Weslaco Pike; Julissa Garza, Brownsville Jubilee; Sheyla Cosme, Brownsville IDEA Frontier; Alma Medellin, Brownsville IDEA Frontier; Victoria Rodriguez, Edinburg IDEA Quest; Alondra De La Rosa, Monte Alto
Second Team
Laisha Lezama, Brownsville IDEA Riverview; Alexis Robinson, Brownsville Jubilee; Skyler Torres, Santa Rosa; Emily Gonzales, Lyford; Destiny Gonzalez, Lyford; Jennifer Jasso, Monte Alto; Desiree Guerra, Santa Rosa
Honorable Mention
Kaylee Smith, Edinburg IDEA Quest; Daniela Zuniga, Brownsville IDEA Riverview; Alessandra Olvera, Brownsville IDEA Riverview; Aliah Garcia, Santa Rosa; Celeste Garza, Santa Rosa; Aracely Medellin, Brownsville IDEA Frontier; Marbella Reyna, IDEA Weslaco Pike; Sheyla Cavazos, Lyford; Sira Trevino, Monte Alto; Yazmyn Sanchez, Monte Alto; Alyssa Garcia, Lyford; Raemee Garcia, IDEA Weslaco Pike; Mariely Cavazos, Edinburg IDEA Quest; Maria Martinez, IDEA Frontier; Ari Jimenez, Brownsville IDEA Riverview; Floritsel Gomez, Santa Rosa; Fatima Vasquez, Vanguard Pharr; Crystal Vasquez, Monte Alto; Glenda Leal, IDEA Weslaco Pike; Maria Navar, Brownsville IDEA Riverview; Paola Vargas, Brownsville Jubilee; Anahi Castillo, Monte Alto; Alyssa Garza, Santa Rosa; Katelyn Navarro, Vanguard Pharr
All-Academic Team
Katelyn Navarro, Vanguard Pharr; Raemee Garcia, IDEA Weslaco Pike; Sydnee Mendoza, IDEA Weslaco Pike; Evelyn Gonzales, IDEA Weslaco Pike; Marbella Reyna, IDEA Weslaco Pike; Adriana Leos, IDEA Weslaco Pike; Mitzy Sanchez, IDEA Weslaco Pike
District 32-2A
Co-Most Valuable Player
Byanca Cantu, Sr., Santa Maria; Yazmin Cantu, Jr., Santa Maria
Offensive Player of the Year
Meagan Kinney, Sr., San Perlita
Defensive Player of the Year
Mia Alvarado, So., San Isidro
Newcomer of the Year
Anahi Magdaleno, So., Santa Maria
Sixth Man of the Year
Jasmine Rodriguez, So., San Perlita
Coach of the Year
Albert Briones, Santa Maria
First Team
Daniela Rivera, Sr., Lasara; Jordan Garcia, Sr., San Isidro; Yesenia Garcia, Sr., La Villa; Gisela Tijerina, Jr., La Villa; Karime Rojas, Sr., San Perlita; Aliyah Garcia, So., San Perlita; Michelle Almazan, Sr., Santa Maria; Clara Briones, Sr., Santa Maria
Second Team
Joelda Lopez, Fr., La Villa; Kaylynn Felix, Jr., La Villa; Jocelyn Contreras, Jr., La Villa; Karina Perez, Jr., San Isidro; Nicole Delgado, So., San Isidro; Roma Elizondo, So., San Isidro; Alex Garcia, Fr., San Isidro; Elyssa Nieto, So., San Perlita; Marleen Carreon, Jr., Santa Maria; Kimberly Almazan, Fr., Santa Maria; Natalie Gonzalez, Jr., Santa Maria
Honorable Mention
Julissa Garcia, Sr., Santa Maria; Amber Loredo, Sr., Santa Maria; Adria Loya, Jr., Santa Maria; Raquel Ventura, Sr., Lasara; Elizabeth Zuniga, Sr., Lasara; Charlotte Garcia, Sr., Lasara; Neveah Rodriguez, Sr., La Villa; Indra Bernal, Fr., La Villa; Pauline Almazan, Fr., La Villa; Emma Garcia, So., San Isidro; Aracelly Nieto, Jr., San Perlita; Modesta Garcia, Sr., San Perlita