By KEVIN NARRO
Staff Writer
On Sunday, the Rio Grande Valley Coaches Association released its preseason top 10 polls for boys and girls basketball, along with district predictions.
On the boys side, Edinburg Vela received the nod as the No. 1 team in the Valley. McAllen Rowe is ranked second followed by PSJA North, Weslaco High and Harlingen High to round out the top five. McAllen High, Los Fresnos Edinburg Economedes, Brownsville Veterans Memorial complete the top 9, and Harlingen South and Edinburg High tied for 10th.
Harlingen High also is favored to win District 32-6A, with multiple key players returning to the Cardinals lineup. Senior Michael Arellano will return after a knee injury that forced him to miss their regional quarterfinal game last winter.
Harlingen South is predicted to finish third in the district after missing the playoffs last season. The Hawks lost four starters from last year but do return sharpshooter Grant Lowery to the starting five.
Brownsville Hanna, Brownsville Rivera and San Benito complete the predictions for 32-6A.
Out of District 32-3A, Santa Rosa is picked to win, San Perlita is picked to win District 32-2A, and Port Isabel is picked to win 32-4A.
On the girls side, McAllen Memorial heads into the season as the No. 1 team, ahead of Edinburg High at No. 2 and Weslaco High in the third spot. Harlingen High is ranked fourth and PSJA North rounds out the top five. Harlingen South, Mission Veterans Memorial, Edinburg Vela, Brownsville Veterans and Hidalgo complete the top 10.
The Lady Cardinals return plenty of talent to their lineup, led by seniors Ariel Leal, Taegan Dickey and Alyssa Cervantes. All have a key hand in the upcoming season.
Harlingen South is projected to finish second in the district. The Lady Hawks will get a big boost when junior Karla Reyes makes her return to the lineup after a season-ending knee injury last season.
San Benito is picked to finish third in the district after a historic season last winter. The Lady ’Hounds will look to Hailey Lopez to lead the offense this season.
Los Fresnos, Brownsville Hanna and Brownsville Rivera complete the 32-6A predictions.
Santa Maria, in 32-2A, and Lyford, in 32-3A, are picked to win their districts. Port Isabel was chosen to place second and La Feria was picked to finished third in District 32-4A.