BY JON R. LaFOLLETTE | STAFF WRITER
Here are The Monitor predictions for the 2014-15 girls basketball season:
District 30-6A Picks
Favorite: Mission High
Senior forward Daniela Perez is the district’s best player and the Lady Eagle’s greatest asset. Perez averaged 14 points in addition to a Valley-leading 14 rebounds per game a season ago. Mission balances their offense with help from senior guard Amanda Garza, who last year posted 9 points, 2.3 assists and 5.3 steals per game. “It’s going to be a very challenging district,” coach Raquel Carmona said. “We’re making the jump from 4A to 6A, and we’re with all of the McAllen Schools. It will be very hard for us.”
Spoiler: McAllen High
Redistricting moved McAllen High out of the same district as the heavy hitting Weslaco programs, but coach Roy Gonzalez isn’t taking the new competition lightly. “You don’t even want to say that another district will be any easier. Every team’s goal is to make it to the playoffs.” The Lady Bulldogs will look to do just that behind the play of senior guard Kathy Maravilla, and the rebounding prowess of forwards Sydney Pemelton and Savannah Weaver. “We have some good athletic shooters and some decent size. We’ll be able to do a combination of inside and outside,” Gonzalez said. “We should be able to compete with anyone.”
The rest of the District: La Joya High, La Joya Juarez-Lincoln, La Joya Palmview, McAllen Memorial, McAllen Rowe
District 31-6A Picks
Favorite: Weslaco High
The Lady Panthers ran the table a season ago with an unblemished 16-0 record in District 31-5A. Despite the perfect run, just four games separated the top three teams (Weslaco East and Edinburg High). Things get even tougher for the Lady Panthers in their quest for another district crown with the addition of Edinburg North and Edinburg Economedes, which each made the playoffs last year. Look for senior Weslaco guard Angela Villarreal to lead the charge toward the postseason.
Spoiler: PSJA North
The Lady Raiders know what they are. “We like to run the floor,” coach Randy Bocanegra said. “We’ll use our shooting to equalize things. We don’t have an inside presence.” PSJA North’s equalizers are senior guard Cynthia Martinez and her teammate Belle Velasquez. Both led the team in scoring last year. “We like to press full court and shoot the three,” Bocanegra said. “My philosophy is to get more possessions and apply pressure.” The Lady Raiders will have their work cut out for them in the Valley’s toughest district. “Weslaco, they have some really good guards. If we can keep up with them, I feel like that’s a good measuring stick,” Bocanegra said. “We’re looking forward to the challenge.
The rest of the district: Edinburg Economedes, Edinburg High, Edinburg North, PSJA Memorial, Weslaco East
District 31-5A Picks
Favorite: Roma
The Lady Gladiators are seen as a District benchmark to which all other 31-5A teams compare their success. “It speaks volumes of the program from where it’s been to where it is right now,” coach Romeo Rios said. “It speaks to how hard our players and coaches have been preparing.” Roma has averaged 20 wins a season since 2012, and are led by a pair of seniors in Kassy Rocha and Luz Gonzalez, whom Rios describes as the team’s respective offensive and defensive MVPs. “I do believe we have the best athletes in girls basketball,” Rios said.
Spoiler: Sharyland High
Tenured coach Dale Whitaker wasn’t concerned about the new district. “I’m an 18-year coach,” he said. “I’ve played against all these teams before.” What affected Sharyland more than redistricting, however, was the program’s split, which created a first-year Pioneer team. “We used to choose between 60 and 70 kids,” Whitaker said. “And now we have 30.” Despite losing several younger players, Sharyland’s varsity crew essentially remains intact. “We’re fortunate to keep our veterans,” Whitaker said.
The rest of the district: Edinburg Vela, Mission Veterans Memorial, Valley View, Rio Grade City, Sharyland Pioneer
District 32-5A
Favorite: Mercedes
The Lady Tigers should make an easy transition after redistricting. The team won the 32-4A championship in 2013, and Mercedes is joining a 5A district which only saw one other team post a winning record in district play.
Spoiler: Donna High
The Bravettes have speed and shooting thanks to Emily Cavazos and Marian Martinez, an athletic pair of senior guards. But Donna also has a renewed inside presence with center Aileen Garza. “She’s got a nice shot and is a good rebounder,” coach Kevin Kromer said. “She also got some playoff experience as a freshman.” The Bravettes will also have a unique advantage at a crucial position thanks to point guard Lauren Williams’ 5-foot-9 frame. “When you get a taller point, that’s what you want,” Kromer said. “The press shouldn’t affect her.”
The rest of the district: Brownsville Pace, Brownsville Porter, Donna North, Edcouch Elsa, PSJA High, PSJA Southwest