KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer
SAN PERLITA — Senior Mark Becerra has always had a passion to not only take the court but to play defense, and in one word he described his game as greedy.
Greedy as in Becerra refused to allow an opposing offense to find the basket.
Becerra thrived in the Hawks’ system, and one of the team’s goals was to only allow 10 points per quarter. Becerra owes his success to a team effort, but also to the system coach Brian Molina implemented.
The senior locked up opposing players throughout the year and, for his efforts, was named the Valley Morning Star ALL-STAR Defensive Player of the Year.
“For me it was an honor to receive this award,” Becerra said. “But it wasn’t just me, it was a team effort and coach getting us prepared each week.”
With Becerra having to go up against some of the area’s top scorers week in and week out, he played a main role in the Hawks’ defensive style. Becerra also played a key hand in helping Harlingen South earn a playoff berth this past season.
“I don’t really have an NBA guy I look up to and try and craft my game like him,” Becerra said. “I just go out there with a mentality that I need to be greedy, and go and lock up their best player.”
On the year, Becerra not only played solid defense but also scored 7.2 points, pulled down 4.4 rebounds and swiped 4.1 steals per game.
He started attending basketball games at a young age, and from then on he was hooked and thought to himself that maybe one day he would be able to take the court.
“Being able to watch the older guys play and me just growing up around the game was special,” Becerra said. “I’m thankful to have been a part of this program. I was able to be on the big stage my junior and senior year, and I’m glad I was able to do it with a group of guys I played with growing up.”