By ANDREW CRUM, Staff Writer
Last season, a trio of seniors led Brownsville First Baptist to the state title game.
This season, another trio has picked up where they left off.
The Crusaders’ Sandy Masso, Haley Boone and Valeria Amaro each have a different role but have helped continue the success of the previous season.
“The heart and soul of the team,” First Baptist coach Marty Bogart said. “They all mean different things to me, but I love them dearly.”
Masso is a senior small forward and a three-time TAPPS all-state selection. She is the team’s leading scorer, one of the best defenders and a co-captain with Boone.
“She’s been our best player for four years, period,” Bogart said. “She’s smart player. We wouldn’t be where we are without her.”
Masso doesn’t see her role as a captain with any more importance than any one of her teammates.
“I don’t see it that way,” she said. “I try to help all my teammates, give them my advice, but they give me advice to help me, too.”
Boone is a junior guard that isn’t afraid to do the little things, rebound or dive for loose balls. Last season she lost her confidence, but with the help of Bogart she has risen to the occasion.
“This year’s she’s really turned it on,” Bogart said. “She’s come back like gangbusters. She went way down and now she’s flying.”
Amaro is a sophomore post player who didn’t see much time on the court last season playing behind the seniors. But given her opportunity, she has blossomed.
“Valeria is big, she’s strong, she’s very determined,” Bogart said. “She’s a go-to player to score. She’s unafraid to take a charge or to drive, even against a brick wall.”
Amaro didn’t like to be on the bench last year, but it helped her learn.
“It helped me to know how to play, how to be aggressive,” she said. “How to play defense.”
Masso and Boone even share the leadership role on the team. Masso tends to show her teammates what to do, and Boone is their voice of direction and encouragement.
“I think it’s more of an example, I do things to inspire them,” Masso said of her leadership qualities.
Boone agreed she is usually talking to her teammates.
“I’m the more vocal one,” she said. “I think it helps them more if they hear it, if I tell them something and Sandy shows them, it does both. We work together.”
First Baptist has dealt with injuries and depth this season, but they are going to finish either first or second in the district. Andrea Barrios, one of the team’s best players, has missed the season because of a knee injury. Without its senior class from one year ago, the team has played with a six or seven-player rotation.
“Struggles with depth this season, that’s probably going to hurt in the playoffs,” Bogart said. “Without (Barrios) and the three seniors, we’re trying to pick up the pieces and do the best we can.”
Despite the adversity and a lack of confidence coming into the season, the Crusaders are playing as well as they have all season.
“I thought we’re a good team, but we’re not going to make it as far as we did last year,” Boone said of the beginning of the season.
The trio has helped bond the team and believe in themselves.
“We have really jelled as a team,” Masso said. “There are no individuals (on this team).”
Boone agreed.
“I think as we have played together more and more, we’ve become more of a team,” she said. “We’re doing really well right now. I can see our potential.”
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.