KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer
HARLINGEN — The Harlingen South Hawks message was clear and simple, and that was to remain humble. While the Hawks remain grounded, the new look Hawks are entering the new season motivated and will enter the season with a chip on their shoulder.
“This group is motivated, they feel they have something to prove,” said Hawks head coach Brian Molina. “Once the season ended last year they got right to work and they told me they did not want to miss the playoffs again and they are eager to keep the tradition going.”
Senior shooting guard Grant Lowery understands the message and has become the Hawks go-to guy this season.
Lowery who is a four year varsity member provides the Hawks with sharp shooting and a great basketball IQ on the court.
“It feels great to be back on the court,” Lowery said. “As a senior I’m able to lead the younger guys and help them on the court with what they need to know. Over the off season there was a lot of conditioning and shooting, we all worked together over the offseason.”
The Hawks have big shoes to fill with names like Aaron Briones, Sean Turrubiates and Chanz Love all gone to graduation.
Along with Lowery, junior Brady Bennett returns to the lineup and Mito Velasquez a point guard has shown plenty of promise in the offseason that has South fans excited.
“Grant has been starting for me all three years, and this is his fourth year on the varsity and we are looking to him for big things, when we get Brady back from football, he gives us size on the inside. Mito has been great for us, he has taken over the reins. It is not easy to fill the shoes of Aaron but he has stepped up to the challenge and has accepted it and he has done a great job with it.”
Molina has patrolled the Hawks bench for 13 years now and last year was the first year Molina and the Hawks failed to reach the postseason. South went 8-5 in a rugged District 32-6A and finished fifth in district play.
Molina who serves as an assistant on the Volleyball team got a firsthand look on how chaotic a six team district can be.
“Instead of being in a marathon, you are in a sprint,” Molina said of the six team district. “We need to come out of the gate strong or else we will find ourselves on the outside looking in. That is something we don’t want, but on the flip side if we can get hot at the right time that can help us out as far as the district race goes.”
South will kick off the regular season Saturday at McAllen Rowe. Tipoff is set for 1:30.