By MARK MOLINA
STAFF WRITER
When it comes to being an all-around athlete, Santa Rosa junior Leo Lara is just that.
Lara is probably best known for being a basketball player, and rightfully so.
This year, Lara was the Valley’s leading scorer with 23.3 points per game and was near the top in nearly every statistical category.
He was the District 32-3A MVP and was the driving force for the Warriors’ run to the Region IV-3A final.
Away from the hardwood, however, Lara was a first-team All-District quarterback in football and the District 32-3A offensive player of the year in baseball.
In track, Lara won the district title and was a regional qualifier in the long jump, high jump, the 200-meter dash and was the anchor for the Santa Rosa 4×100-meter relay team.
He was even tied for the Valley’s top high jump mark (6-04).
Even with all those accolades, Lara hunts a couple more as he is nominated for Basketball Player of the Year and the Sub-6A Male Athlete of the Year at this year’s All Valley Sports Awards Banquet on June 14 in McAllen.
Get to know Lara a little more.
Q: How does it feel to be nominated for this award?
A: There are a bunch of athletes out here in the Valley, so it’s a big deal for me. Coming from a small school and getting noticed means a lot to me.
Q: You play all these sports, but which one would you say was your very first love?
A: It would have to be football, then basketball track and then baseball. With football, it’s all about the adrenaline that you get and playing with all your friends.
Q: Which sport do you feel you are best at and why?
A: I feel it’s basketball. We have a lot of deep runs into the playoffs and I feel it’s what I compete best at. The team also has a lot to do with that.
Q: What’s the hardest part of playing sports all year long?
A: The hardest part is really just making sure I get enough rest.
Q: During the spring you come off basketball and go into baseball and track, does that drain you mentally or physically?
A: I get drained, but getting enough rest is key. Sometimes I wish I just played one sport to keep working on it, but I love to compete in different areas.
Q: What motivates you to keep going?
A: I just want to compete against other people and I just hope, God willing, that I can make it to the next level. That’s what I want the most.
Q: What’s your best sports memory?
A: I have to say the regional finals against Aransas Pass. It was a bad memory because we lost, but it was good with us coming back from 22 points down with a chance to win it all in the end.
Q: Who’s your favorite athlete and why?
A: I have to say Derrick Rose. I love the way he plays. He’s aggressive and attacks the rim like crazy.
Q: How do you prepare for a big game or race?
A: The way I prepare is kind of weird. I invite my friends Matt (Garcia) and AB (Lozoya) over. We just hang out the night before, go to bed early and get up the next morning focused for the game.
Q: Who are your heroes?
A: First, I have to give it to God for everything that I have done. Then, I have to give it to my family and friends and coach (Johnny Cipriano). He’s been in my life for I don’t know how many years.