By ANDREW CRUM, Staff Writer
Robert Holland made sure Port Isabel put its complacency to rest.
After several seasons of sneaking into the District 32-4A playoffs as a low seed, Holland and the Tarpons announced their arrival as district contenders in a big way in 2016.
For his efforts and leadership, Holland has been named The Brownsville Herald’s 2016 All-Metro Baseball Coach of the Year.
Port Isabel had been a playoff mainstay in recent years, but finally broke through to win its first district title in 11 seasons after finishing tied for a league-best 12-2 record with Hidalgo.
“It feels good, I accept it for the kids and my assistants,” said Holland, who has been at the helm of the Tarpons program for nearly 20 years. “I have great assistants. I have good kids, year in and year out. It’s them, it’s not me. I’ve never been one, myself, for titles or trophies, it’s all them.”
Among Holland’s assistants is Barton Bickerton, who was last year’s All-Metro Coach of the Year after he finished a strong season with Porter. Holland credits his assistants’ experience, knowledge and dedication as reasons Port Isabel found its way to the top of the district this season.
Holland also shared district coaching honors with Hidalgo’s Karlos Carrasco.
The Tarpons won 18 games this year, including starting off the season by winning the Port Isabel/Los Fresnos baseball tournament in a title-game victory over Edinburg Economedes.
The difference this season for Port Isabel was simple, according to its coach.
“Maturity,” Holland said. “We were good last year, but we had no seniors. That’s a big difference. You could tell in tight games, in the past we (tensed up) and this year they (handled it better).”
Holland said that experience and leadership helped the Tarpons win some tight games this season. Four seniors were starters on this year’s squad and that example helped put some of the younger teammates on the field at ease during those pressure situations.
As Holland gets ready to say goodbye to those seniors and start preparing for the next baseball season, he reflected on the banner year.
“You remember the games you didn’t play very well, those stick with me,” he said. “I remember each (player) in practice, some were quiet, some played jokes. Year after year, I remember the kids. That’s what I remember the most.”
Andrew Crum covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him at (956) 982-6629 or via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @andrewmcrum.