Jan feb2015

1JANUARY 23, 2015 - FEBRUARY 28, 2015

2 JANUARY 23, 2015 - FEBRUARY 28, 2015


HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS MAGAZINE956.270.4289 • HSSMLive.com2806 W. Trenton Rd • Edinburg, TX

DAVID A. AMADORPublisher & Sports Director

HECTOR OROZCOArt Director

ALEC AMADORLead Sports Photographer

CESAR MONTALVOSports Photographer

RICHARD DAVIDSONSports Photographer

MANUEL DE LA ROSASports Journalist & Advertising Executive

GONZALO AGUAYO JR Advertising Executive

KAYLIE YANEZAdministrative Assistant

06HOOPS SECOND HALF RACE BEGINSRGV TEAMS SET FOR PLAYOFF SEEDINGS & DISTRICT TITLES

24SOCCERKICKS OFFWITH THREE CLASSIFICATIONS & BRRRR.....

42RANDY BOCANEGRA PSJA NORTH HEAD GIRLS BASKETBALL COACH

35ONE ON ONEWITH COACH ASHLEY MONCIVAIZ

12LADY CARDS FLYIN’ HIGH IN DISTRICT 32-6A INTERIM HEAD COACH TAKES OVER PROGRAM

WWW.HSSMLIVE.COM• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • State Ranked No. 12PSJA North HS Miranda Dimas & the Lady Raiders are undefeated in District 31-6A under head coach Randy Bocanegra..• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

By Cesar Montalvo HSSM Sports Photographer

ON THE COVER RANDY BOCANEGRA“IT’S ALL ABOUT THE COACH” (ALEC AMADOR/HSSM IMAGES)DESIGN & PHOTO EDIT BY HECTOR OROZCO


any Fans are becoming negligent when it comes to high school sports. Fans forget that they are being watched by the MEDIA AT ALL TIMES.

As journalists, HSSM will strive to capture every moment and bring the news of sports to its readers. It’s called Freedom of Speech. First Amendment. Better yet, Freedom of the Press.

As a member of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists from Washington D.C., reporting sports can be an emotional moment for the coaches, players, fans, and anyone who pays to see the game. HSSM strives to bring it’s readers the story with photos. But, keep in mind that the MEDIA has the right to capture EVERY MOMENT as we see it.

In today’s society, parents are tough fans. They want what’s best for their children who are playing for the governing body of UIL (University Interscholastic League) Sports in Texas. This is organized sports. It means, “stay off the field.” It means “stay off the court.” It means “quit slandering the coaches verbally.” It means “quit making physical threats.”

taking action and are beginning to understand that the protection of the student athlete, coaching staff, fans who love the game, will all be protected. One administrator says,”parents and fans are getting out of hand.”

And its true too. Either way, HSSM will continue to take photos of “Fans in the Stands” who love the game or hate it. HSSM will continue to capture photo moments of teams who win or lose; hugs from players and coaches; this list can go on and on. It NEVER stops. Fans love these moments. While other “haters” will despise the moments captured by our HSSM photographers. However, HSSM will not tolerate these threats fans make towards its journalist or photographers. As members of the MEDIA, we are protected by law. It’s our Constitutional right to capture the truth and report it.

HSSM will continue to be there to bring you these moments in Sports. WHY? Because we are “FREAKIN SERIOUS” as one head football coach once said in his interview.

Parents who are fans or just fans in general tend to forget that these are public venues. This means that fans who are out of line will be escorted from any UIL event by administrators, TASO officials, and finally, the school POLICE. If these fans continue to become flagrant, they will be arrested with disorderly conduct of some sorts. Schools are now

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emotional game nights Fans need to enjoy uil Games & be more respectful.• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

By Alec Amador HSSM Sports Photographer

FANS WHO ARE OUT OF LINE WILL BE ESCORTED FROM ANY UIL EVENT BY ADMINISTRATORS, TASO OFFICIALS, & FINALLY, THE SCHOOL POLICE.


GIRLS Soccer1) McAllen Memorial

2) McAllen

3) Sharyland

4) Brownsville Lopez

5) La Joya Palmview

6) Harlingen South

7) Brownsville Rivera

8) Sharyland Pioneer

9) McAllen Rowe

10) Los Fresnos

BOYS Soccer1) Valley View

2) Brownsville Rivera

3) Sharyland

4) Brownsville Lopez

5) La Joya Juarez-Lincoln

6) Brownsville Hanna

7) Mission HS

8) Weslaco East

9) Brownsville Porter

10) La Joya Palmview

5

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McAllen memorial high school advancedto the 5A Region-IV Girls Soccer Tournament in 2014.• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

By Alec Amador HSSM Lead Sports Photographer

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Sharyland high school wonthe 2012 UIL 5A State Soccer title by defeating Katy Morton Ranch 3-2 in a shootout at Georgetown, Tx.• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •


JANUARY 23, 2015 - FEBRUARY 28, 2015


BY DAVID A. AMADOR • HSSM SPORTS DIRECTOR



hat a difference a year

makes. Hoops teams that

were suppose to make a

playoff run in 2015 are now

finding themselves, struggling, just to qualify for the

University Interscholastic League State Basketball

playoffs in 2015. The playoffs are set to tip off on

February 23rd with the Bi-District championships.

This year’s UIL Basketball Tournament and finals

will be held March 12-14th in San Antonio, Texas at

the Alamodome.

In District 30-6A, the McAllen Bulldogs hired

longtime assistant coach Ryan Flores, who came

over from McAllen Memorial High School. This is

his first year as head basketball coach and he does

not mind being called a “rookie.” “That’s okay. This

is my first year and we are working hard to make

a difference. I’m starting to lose some hair,” laughs

Flores. “Playing these district games are intense.”

The Bulldogs (4-1) are currently in second place

behind McAllen Memorial (5-0) and under Flores,

the Bulldogs have won 20 games this season.

Not bad for a rookie head basketball coach. The

Bulldogs lost to Harlingen South 71-46 in the first

round of the state playoffs in 2014. “We just need

to finish the season and stay healthy,” says Flores.

Other teams from District 30-6A looking good for

the final three playoff spots are McAllen Memorial

High School, La Joya, and Palmview. The surprising-

woes of the season are the McAllen Nikki Rowe

Warriors and head coach Jose Yerba. The Warriors

are sitting in sixth place at 1-4 after first half losses

to Palmview, McAllen Memorial, and McAllen.

What’s striking about the Nikki Rowe losses is that

Palmview High School head coach Andy Saenz and

Flores, both played basketball for Nikki Rowe High

School. Rowe lost to Sharyland in the second round

of the 5A playoffs last year 60-58.

The Edinburg Bobcats are back and running after

missing the playoffs in 2014. The Bobcats are tied

in second place, behind Weslaco in District 31-6A.

As for head coach Gabe Valdez, he would like to see

his Panthers, like the Bobcats, make the playoffs

in 2015. The Panthers have missed two straight

post seasons and in 2011, they advanced to the

Class 5A Region IV Quarterfinals before losing to

Harlingen 64-59. PSJA North and Weslaco East High

School are holding on to the third and four place

spots with one loss in the first half.

In District 32-6A, Brownsville Hanna (4-0),

Harlingen South (3-1), Harlingen (2-2), Los Fresnos

(2-2), Brownsville Veterans (2-2), and San Benito

(2-2) all have a shot at winning the district title.

Sharing the title could pose some seeding problems

too. Harlingen, Hanna, Los Fresnos, and South all

made the playoffs in 2014. The South Hawks made

it to the Sweet 16 under head coach Brian Molina

before losing to San Antonio Madison. “We should

have won that game. We were in it to the end,” says

Molina. The Hawks lost to the Mavericks 64-61 in

the Class 5A Region IV Semifinals at the University

of Texas-Pan American Fieldhouse before a sellout

crowd on February 28th.

On February 2014, the UIL realigned high schools

in Texas. The UIL, the governing body of sports

in Texas, does this every two years and added

another classification called 6A. Now, there will be

six classifications playing for state titles in March

at the Alamodome. With the realignments, the Rio

Grande Valley was granted two 5A districts. District

32-5A and District 31-5A. With the Rio Grande

Valley growing in population, this means more high

schools are being built. Sharyland Pioneer and

Donna North High Schools opened up and moved

into the Class 5A ranks. Still, the move meant

nothing to basketball powers Mission Veterans and

Sharyland High School. In the mix, moving down

a classification were the Edinburg Vela Sabercats.

All three look primed to make the 2015 State 5A

playoffs along with hopefuls, Roma, Valley View,

or Rio Grande City. Back on the court is Sharyland

head coach David Keith. He had to watch from the

stands in 2014 after going through major brain

surgery. The Rattlers advanced to the third round

of the State 5A playoffs. “It feels great to be back.

This means a lot to me and my family,” says Keith.

“I’m truly blessed to have recovered.” Another

coach making his debut is Rio Grande City Rattlers

new head coach, Homer Garr. He was hired in

the off season and they are still looking for their

(McAllen, Texas)

The Bulldogs are currently

in SECOND place and

under Flores, the Bulldogs have won 20 games this season. Not bad for a

rookie head basketball

coach.


• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Go Mustangs! D.J. Johnson (6’6” forward) leads the McAllen Memorial Mustangs after sitting out a few weeks with an injury.• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

By Alec Amador HSSM Sports Photographer


first district win of the year in District 31-5A. The

Rio Grande City Rattlers recently lost to Mission

Veterans 60-21. Veteran’s head coach Romeo De

La Garza is excited about the new realignments

and knows that District 31-5A will be tough to win

out. “Playing for a district title against teams like

Sharyland and Edinburg Vela is tough. We have to

come to play each night. The second half is about

to start and we need to finish strong,” says De La

Garza.

In Cameron County, District 32-5A consists of

Brownsville Pace and Porter along with Donna,

Donna North, Edcouch-Elsa, Mercedes, PSJA, and

PSJA Southwest. The Redskins lead the district with

a 5-0 record, tied with Pace for first place. Edcouch-

Elsa and Mercedes both look strong to hold onto to

third and fourth place seedings. PSJA could make

a run after two straight playoff appearances in


Local high school basketball coaches can be heard calling plays, talking to TASO referees, looking at the clocks, and sometimes, trying to hold back their moments. (HSSMImages/Alec Amador/Montalvo)Basketball Courtside Mayhem!

Port Isabel Blake Ramsey

Brownsville Veterans Memorial HS Larry Gibson

La Joya Palmview HS Andy Saenz

Brownsville Veterans Memorial HS Valentin Paz

Harlingen HS Greg Yates

McAllen Nikki Rowe HS

Jose Yerba

Mission Veterans Memorial HS Romeo De La Garza

Rio Grande City HS

Simon Garza

2013 and 2014. In Class 32-4A, the Hidalgo Pirates

are headed to another district title unless, La Feria

or Progreso can change the Pirates course in the

second half of the season. The Pirates, coached by

Gus Sanchez finished the first half undefeated and

are led by Frankie Sanchez. He averages more than

23.0 points a game. The Pirates advanced to the

State 3A Regional semifinals in 2014 before losing to

San Antonio Sam Houston 63-42. Houston advanced

to the state tournament and lost to Dallas Madison

77-62. Madison won the state title but had to forfeit

its title due to an ineligible player.

Other teams looking for playoff spots from District

32-3A are Santa Rosa and Lyford. In District 32-2A,

San Isidro and San Perlita are favored to make the

playoffs. Santa Maria and La Villa could lock up the

final two playoff spots.

Redskins Looking for Playoff Spot. The Donna High School Redskins compete in District 32-5A with Edward Guajardo leading the team.

(HSSMImages/Montalvo)

Weslaco High School stayed unbeaten in District 31-6A with a win over PSJA North. Pictured is Danny Torres of the Raiders.

(HSSMImages/TD-Dave Amador)

Looking for title No.10? The Hidalgo Pirates have won nine district titles under head coach Gus Sanchez in now, District 32-4A. The

Pirates advanced to the fourth round of the state playoffs in 2014. (HSSMImages/Montalvo)

uil basketball playoff datesBi-District February 23-24th

Area Championships February 26-28th

Regional Quarterfinals March 2-3rd

Regional Semifinals March 6th

Quarterfinals March 7th Alamo Convocation Center-San Antonio, Tx

UIL State Semifinals March 12th Alamodome San Antonio, Tx

Thursday, March 12th Class 1A 8:30aClass 1A 10:00aClass 3A 1:30p

Class 3A 3:00pClass 5A 7:00pClass 5A 8:30p

Friday, March 13th Class 2A 8:30pClass 2A 10:00aClass 4A 1:30pClass 4A 3:00pClass 6A 7:00pClass 6A 8:30p

UIL Championships Alamodome San Antonio, TxSaturday March 14th

FinalsClass 1A 8:30aClass 3A 10:00aClass 2A 1:30pClass 5A 3:00pClass 4A 7:00pClass 6A 8:30a

11JANUARY 23, 2015 - FEBRUARY 28, 2015 11JANUARY 23, 2015 - FEBRUARY 28, 2015

District title? Sharyland High School defeated Valley View in District 31-5A and then lost to Edinburg Vela. The Rattlers are 21-5 for the year. (HSSMImages/Montalvo)

Air Jordan? Harlingen High School point guard Jordan Wilson leads the Cardinals in District 32-6A. (HSSMIMages/Alec Amador)

Go Patriots! Mission Veterans Memorial High School is 24-3 in 2015 and are tied with Sharyland for second place. (HSSMIMages/Tddave)

Jump Ball! McAllen defeated McAllen Nikki Rowe in District 30-6A. Pictured is William Smith from McAllen up against Rowe’s Freddy Ayala as Deon Ellis (McAllen) looks on. (HSSMIMages/Montalvo)

12 JANUARY 23, 2015 - FEBRUARY 28, 201512 JANUARY 23, 2015 - FEBRUARY 28, 2015



• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

State Ranked No. 17 The Harlingen Lady Cardinals defeated Brownsville Veterans Memorial to take sole possession of first place in District 32-6A. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •



T hree Rio Grande Valley girls basketball teams are ranked in the Top 25 by the Texas High School Girls Coaches Association and with the second half still left to play, in Class 2A, no.20 Lyford High School

Lady Bulldogs (20-6), along with Class 6A no.12 PSJA North Lady Raiders (23-4) and no.17 Harlingen Lady Cardinals (23-3) could be looking at a possible 2015 University Interscholastic League Girls Basketball state tournament appearance on March 5-7th at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. Again, that’s what these polls are are saying, for now.

If the polls are correct at predicting which teams could win their regions, then state-ranked teams, Corpus Christi Carroll (20-3), Laredo United South (22-5), Schertz Clemens (23-4), and San Antonio Brandeis (17-8) would all meet in the Region IV semifinals along with the Lady Raiders and Lady Cardinals. Only Weslaco (23-5) advanced to the State 5A Region IV semifinals last year and lost to San Antonio Stevens 63-46. The Lady Panthers were ranked in the Top 20 polls for the most part in 2014. Harlingen advanced two rounds. PSJA North High School lost in the bi-district playoffs. In Class 3A, Lyford High School lost to 59-21 to Corpus Christi West Oso in the area championships. “It’s a tough road and at PSJA North we have made the playoffs three times in the last six seasons,” says North Lady Raiders head basketball coach Randy Bocanegra. The District 31-6A Lady Raiders defeated Edinburg High School last week behind the scoring of Cynthia Martinez and her 23 points scored in their 60-32 win. “That was a huge game for our program,” adds Bocanegra. “We still have the rest of the season to go.”

In District 30-6A, La Joya Palmview, McAllen Nikki Rowe, McAllen Memorial, along with La Joya are in the race for a district title. But, how quickly things can change. McAllen (2-4) upset McAllen Memorial (4-2) last Friday night night 39-25 to notch their second straight win of the season. “We needed that win,” says Lady Bulldogs head coach Roy Gonzalez, as he clinched his fists as time expired. “Wow, we played great defense and stopped them from scoring.” At the end of

The District 2-5A Canyon Lady Eagles (17-2)

are a powerhouse in the world of women’s basketball and the man leading them is head coach Joe Lombard. At 61-years old, Lombard has won a total of 16 UIL State Basketball titles. At Canyon HS, a few miles from Amarillo, he has coached 30 years and has won 10 titles and at Nazareth HS, he coach seven years and won six titles. His wife Babs, also a high school coach, won the UIL State title in 1979 from Hales Center High School and Lombard won it that same year while at Nazareth HS in his first season with the Swiftettes. “It was a great foundation for me for what has become Canyon. I always considered Canyon as a big Nazareth. We try to do things similar to what we did years ago with modern day updating,” he said. He credits his success to the community, parents, players, and the junior high programs. He has more than 1,158 wins in his career.

Edinburg North’s Melissa Mojarra hopes to lead her Lady Cougars back to the State 6A playoffs.

(HSSM Images/Cesar Montlavo)

La Joya Juarez-Lincoln Lady Huskies are in fourth place in District 30-6A. Playoffs? (HSSMimages/Cesar Montalvo)

Erin Castaneda from PSJA HS leads her team in District 32-5A. The Lady Bears moved down a classification in 2015.

(HSSM Images/Cesar Montalvo)

The Edinburg High School Lady Bobcats are currently in third place in District 31-6A. The 2015 UIL State

Basketball Playoffs begin February 16-17th. (HSSMimages/Cesar Montalvo)

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

respect for the united states flag Lady during the National Anthem. Teams from Sharyland High School and Sharyland Pioneer HS meet for the first time in District 31-5A.• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •


(Harlingen, Tx)


District 31-6A • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

OH, Angela! The Weslaco High SchoolLady Panthers defeated PSJA North in District 31-6A to share the lead with the Lady Raiders for first place with UTPA signee Angela Villarreal.• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

By Td-dave HSSM Sports Photographer

the first quarter, McAllen was tied with McAllen Memorial at 9-9. The win puts the Lady Bulldogs tied for fourth place with La Joya Juarez-Lincoln vaulting, them back into the playoff hunt.

Both Weslaco (6-1) and PSJA North (6-1) lead District 31-6A along with Edinburg (4-3) and Edinburg Economedes (3-3). Weslaco East still has an outside chance of clinching a playoff spot, trailing Economedes by one game. The Lady Panthers are trying to win another district title with head coach Griselda Fino but they will have to win out and hope that the North Lady Raiders lose. The Lady Panthers have two back-to-back Region IV Semifinal appearances.

In District 32-6A, the Harlingen Lady Cardinals (22-3, 7-0) are flying high with a perfect 7-0 record after defeating Harlingen South 56-14. What was suppose to have been an epic battle, turned out to be a nightmare for the Lady Hawks (17-8, 5-2) with the Lady Cardinals pressuring them with great defensive play throughout the night. Brownsville Veterans, Brownsville Hanna, and Los Fresnos are all looking to challenge the Lady Hawks for playoff sports. The Lady Cardinals look destined to win the title behind seniors Casey Lopez, Kayla Perez, Grizelda Ortiz, Tiffany Alvarado, Chelsy Barron, and Hazel Quilantan.

Moving over to Class 5A, Edinburg Vela (7-0) easily defeated Mission Veterans 55-34 in a key district game last week to take sole possession of first place in District 31-5A. Vela HS head coach Lottie Zarate has watched her team take a one game lead and another win over Sharyland could cap a 7-0 first half run. The Lady Sabercats have won 59 games under Zarate since 2012-13 with just 25 losses. Four sophomores, five seniors, and three juniors make up the Lady Sabercats with Ariel Rodriguez leading her team with 18 points

per game and three rebounds. Sophomore Jaida Muhammad adds another ten points per game with tough rebounding. Other teams looking for playoff spots are Roma (4-2) with Rio Grande City (2-3), Sharyland (2-3), and Sharyland Pioneer (2-4) all looking to get in the UIL state playoffs. “We need to play better and keep competing,” says Sharyland High School head coach Dale Whitaker after their win over Valley View High School. The Lady Rattlers followed that win with another victory over Rio Grande City 37-28 the next week. Two straight wins have put Whitaker’s team back in the playoff hunt.

Other teams looking to make the playoffs are Mercedes, Donna, PSJA, Brownsville Pace, and PSJA Southwest. The Lady Viqueens knocked off Southwest 38-15, while Donna manhandled Edcouch-Elsa 59-27. PSJA kept in the race with a win over Donna North 41-26. The Lady Tigers finished the first half at 7-0 in District 32-5A with Donna one game back at 6-1. In District 32-4A, La Feria leads the district along with Rio Hondo while District 32-3A leaders are Edinburg IDEA Academy, Lyford, Santa Rosa with Brownsville Frontier looking in as well. UIL Graphic.


2015 UIL Girls basketball state tournamentAlamodome-San Antonio, TxMarch 5-7th SemifinalsThursday, March 5th Class 1A 8:30aClass 1A 10:00aClass 3A 1:30pClass 3A 3:00pClass 5A 7:00pClass 5A 8:30p

Friday, March 6thClass 2A 8:30aClass 2A 10:00aClass 4A 1:30a

Class 4A 3:00pClass 6A 7:00pClass 6A 8:30p

ChampionshipsSaturday, March 7th Class 1A 8:30aClass 3A 10:00aClass 2A 1:30pClass 5A 3:00pClass 4A 7:00pClass 6A 8:30p

20 JANUARY 23, 2015 - FEBRUARY 28, 201520 JANUARY 23, 2015 - FEBRUARY 28, 2015

Go Lady Bulldogs! The McAllen Lady Bulldogs won two straight District 30-6A games to get back into the playoff hunt. (HSSMImages/Tddave)

Can McAllen Memorial and McAllen Nikki Rowe make the 6A playoffs in 2015? (HSSMImages/Alec Amador)

Sharyland defeated Valley View to keep their playoff hopes alive. (HSSMIMages/Tddave)

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

edinburg hs head coach john salinas talks with his Lady Bobcats during the game. The Lady Bobcats are in third place with hopes of making it to the state playoffs in 2015.• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •



San Isidro San Perlita Santa Maria Lasara La VillaRiviera Kaufer Bruni

District 32-2A Season District



Hidalgo E.C. La FeriaProgreso Rio HondoRaymondvilleGrulla ZapataPort Isabel

DonnaBrownsville Pace PSJA Edcouch-Elsa Brownsville Porter Mercedes PSJA Southwest Donna North

Santa Rosa LyfordBrownsville Frontier Edinburg Idea Quest Monte Alto

District 32-3A Season District District 31-6A Season District



Edinburg VelaMission Veterans Sharyland Roma Valley View Sharyland Pioneer Rio Grande City

McAllen Memorial McAllen La Joya Palmview La Joya Mission McAllen Rowe LJ Juarez-Lincoln

05 05 04 02 01 01 00

00 00 02 03 04 04 05

18 18 14 08 01 00 00

03 05 10 14 18 00 00

0605 04 03 03 02 01 01

00 01 02 03 03 04 05 05

20 18 17 09 07 08 02 00

05 06 05 10 14 15 12 00

06 06 03 03 03 02 01 00

00 00 03 03 03 04 05 06

16 14 12 10 09 15 08 05

09 09 12 14 14 09 16 18

00 00 00 00 00

00 00 00 00 00

15 07 07 00 00

09 14 02 04 00

05 04 04 02 02 01 00

00 01 01 03 04 04 05

21 24 21 08 12 13 08

05 03 05 13 14 11 17

05 04 02 02 02 02 00

00 01 03 03 03 04 05

15 20 16 18 12 12 06

10 06 11 10 12 13 17

BasketballStandingsBOYS

WeslacoEdinburg PSJA North Weslaco East Edinburg NorthEd. Economedes PSJA Memorial

05 04 03 03 02 01 00

00 01 0202 03 0505

17 15 15 09 11 06 04

09 09 08 16 12 20 16

Brownsv. HannaBrwnsv. Veterans San Benito Harlingen South Harlingen Los FresnosBrownsv. RiveraBrownsv. Lopez

05 04 04 04 03 03 01 00

00 01 01 01 02 02 04 05

16 13 13 10 17 14 07 03

03 09 12 12 07 10 14 19

San Perlita La Villa LasaraSan Isidro Santa Maria Rivera Kaufer Bruni




Rio HondoLa FeriaZapata Port IsabelHidalgo Grulla RaymondvilleProgreso

MercedesDonnaPSJA Brownsville Pace PSJA Southwest Donna North Brownsville Porter Edcouch-Elsa

Edinburg IDEA LyfordSanta Rosa Brownsville IDEAMonte Alto




Edinburg VelaMission Veterans RomaSharyland Rio Grande CityValley View Sharyland Pioneer

McAllen Rowe La Joya Palmview McAllen Memorial LJ Juarez-Lincoln McAllenLa JoyaMission

06 03 02 01 01 00 00

00 02 03 03 01 01 02

17 05 07 06 01 00 00

04 11 14 15 01 01 02

08 07 05 04 03 02 02 00

00 01 03 04 05 06 06 08

19 21 14 13 14 06 14 07

06 05 11 10 14 17 13 15

08 07 06 04 03 02 02 01

00 01 02 04 05 06 06 07

18 16 11 12 05 11 07 08

08 10 16 16 18 14 22 20

02 01 01 00 00

00 00 00 01 00

12 19 08 00 00

02 06 10 02 00

07 05 05 03 02 01 01

00 01 02 04 05 06 06

18 16 17 16 14 06 03

08 10 10 12 14 16 24

06 05 04 03 02 02 02

01 02 03 04 04 05 05

16 16 13 07 12 07 07

12 09 13 20 15 17 20

BasketballStandingsGIRLS

PSJA NorthWeslaco East EdinburgEd. Economedes Weslaco EastEdinburg NorthPSJA Memorial

23 24 20 15 14 13 10

06 06 04 04 03 02 00

04 05 09 11 14 15 17

01 01 03 03 04 05 07

Harlingen Brwnsv. VeteransHarlingen South Brownsv. HannaLos FresnosSan Benito Brownsv. RiveraBrownsv. Lopez

23 20 17 17 13 11 07 06

08 07 05 04 04 03 01 00

03 07 10 09 13 15 14 17

00 01 03 04 04 05 07 08

Sportmanship.

It’s something we miss out when watching high school athletes play on the field or in

the gym or in the pool. We are taught to represent our high school and dislike the other team. It’s taught to the kids from as early as little league and pop warner sports. We also teach them to be good in sports, but that’s forgotten in the heat of battle.

I went to watch the Battle of Southmost in soccer at the Brownsville Independent School District Soccer Tournament. Lopez vs. Porter. It’s the largest soccer tourney in the state. Thirty two teams battling to win it. These teams were playing to get to the finals.The game was filled with emotion, drama and it was a great early season matchup. Porter was down 2-0 with 10 minutes left in the game and the Cowboys overcame the deficit to tie the game. It went to penalty kicks. After five kicks, it was tied. The same at six, seven and eight kicks before Porter won in the ninth kick.

You’d think no biggie. It’s an early season tourney, but the fans went crazy. Some couldn’t even watch the kicks. Porter jumped for joy, while Lopez slumped in defeat with even a few players shedding some tears.

Afterwards, both teams gathered in a circle and were next to each other arm and arm. It was an amazing show of sportsmanship. They said a prayer and congratulated each other on a great game. Win or lose. This is how every game should end.Players and coaches should respect each other for what they do in the game. It’s not all about winning. It’s about appreciating your opponent for their play. I just wish I saw more of this when covering athletic events in the Rio Grande Valley.

HSSM Sports Writer


2 0 14 4 A F i na ls • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

valley view high school graduate Jose “Torito” Soto became the all-time leading scorer in Texas with 208 goals in his four-year high school career. He led the Tigers to back-to-back State 4A Tournament appearances. He also scored 78 goals in one season.• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •



The 2015 soccer season started

off with plenty “brrrrsss” as

temperatures dipped to the low

30s across the Rio Grande Valley.

The Mission Eagles Boys Soccer

Tournament featured 36 teams with powerhouse from

District 27-6A San Antonio Warren making the trip

along with Del Rio from 29-6A. In McAllen, San Antonio

teams from San Antonio Taft High School, San Antonio

Clark, and Corpus Christi King also traveled South to

play in the McAllen Girls Soccer Showcase on January

8-10th. This will be the first year that the University

Interscholastic League will add another classification.

Three classifications from 6A, 5A, and 4A will now

compete for state titles in boys and and girls soccer.

For the past four years, the Rio Grande Valley has sent

teams to the UIL Soccer Tournament in Georgetown,

Texas. Teams from Valley View High School 2013 and

2014; Sharyland-5A Boys State Champions 2012;

Brownsville Lopez 2014, Brownsville Hanna 2013;

to the UIL State Soccer Tournament in Georgetown,

Texas. Sharyland earned its first state championship

title by defeating Mansfield 3-1 in the semifinals and

Katy Morton Ranch 3-2 in a shootout. One, fans will

remember and never forget. “That game was heroic,”

says “Rev” Hernandez, head coach of the Rattlers.

Brownsville Hanna lost in the finals to Coppell in

overtime 3-2 in 2013.

Soccer is popular in Texas, especially down South,

next to the bordering country of Mexico. Many players

with strong Mexican-roots have grown up listening to

their families talk about “futbol” in their country. The

Rio Grande Valley is home to many of these roots and

fans. “Soccer is world-wide sport but in Mexico, this is

their sport,” says Hernandez. “In the Rio Grande Valley,

soccer is becoming wide-spread.”

With soccer growing deep in South Texas, many teams

from across the state are now taking notice. Brownsville

has built mega-like soccer sports parks along with

McAllen’s newest soccer complex set for completion

in 2015. Combined, these two parks will feature more

than 30 fields for anyone wanting to compete from

ages five years old to teens. “This is a popular sport in

Texas and with three classifications, it opens the field

for more Rio Grande Valley

teams to compete for state

titles,” says head coach Pat

Arney from McAllen High

School. “Hopefully, we will

get our girls teams from the

Valley competing at the state

tournament too.” In Class 4A,

Lyford and Rio Hondo will field

only two girl teams.

(Mission, Texas)

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Brsss...IT’S ALWAYS COLD WEATHER IN THE RIO GRANDE VALLEY WHEN SOCCER SEASON STARTS.• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •



• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • mercedesTIGERS WILL BE BIDDING FOR A STATE SOCCER PLAYOFF RUN IN 2015. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •


CAN THE VALLEY VIEW TIGERS MAKE ANOTHER UIL STATE TOURNAMENT APPEARANCE IN 2015? (HSSM IMAGES/ALEC AMADOR)


Valley View High School Advanced to the 4A UIL Soccer Tournament in 2013 and 2014. The Tigers lost to El Paso Del Valle 1-0 in the semifinals in 2013 and lost in the 2014 finals to Northwest 2-1 in Georgetown, Texas.

Sweet 16 Again? McAllen Memorial lost to San Antonio Churchill in the Class 5A Region IV Semifinals in 2014 at the Blossom Center in San

Antonio. (HSSMImages/Alec Amador)

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

District soccer to begin!The Edcouch-Elsa Yellowjackets will compete in the District 32-5A and Harlingen will move over to District 32-6A. Can both teams make a state title run in 2015?• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •



Sharyland Head Soccer Coach Reveriano “Rev” Hernandez leads his top ranked Rattlers in 2015. (HSSMIMages/Montalvo)

McAllen Memorial defeated Harlingen South to advance to the Class 5A Region IV Semifinals in 2014. Both teams are favored to make another deep

playoff run in 2015. (HSSMIMages/AlecAmador)

DANNY YBARRA CONSTRUCTIONA BUILDER YOU CAN TRUST

DANNY YBARRA OWNER

(956) [email protected]

15 Years ofExperience

5540 Camino De La Tierra • Brownsville, Texas


2014-15 OFFICIAL SOCCER DISTRICT ALIGNMENT Region 4 + Boys Only * Girls Only

DISTRICT 25 Georgetown Gateway * College Prep Jarrell Lampasas Liberty Hill Salado

DISTRICT 26 Cameron Yoe GiddingsLa Grange Smithville Taylor District 27 BYE

DISTRICT 28 BanderaBoerneComal Canyon Lake Fredericksburg Wimberley

DISTRICT 29 Bye

DISTRICT 30 Beeville Jones Kingsville King La Vernia Pleasanton Rockport-Fulton

DISTRICT 31 Hidalgo Early College Monte Alto RaymondvilleRio Grande City Grulla Zapata +

DISTRICT 32 Brownsville Frontier Coll Prep La Feria Lyford * Port Isabel ProgresoRio Hondo *

CONFERENCE 6A DIVISION DISTRICT 25 Cibolo SteeleComal CanyonComal Smithson Valley Converse JudsonNew BraunfelsSan Antonio Wagner Schertz Clemens

DISTRICT 26 San Antonio Churchill San Antonio Johnson San Antonio LeeSan Antonio MacArthur San Antonio Madison San Antonio Reagan San Antonio Roosevelt

DISTRICT 27 Northside Brandeis Northside Brennan Northside Clark Northside Holmes Northside Jay Northside Marshall Northside O’Connor Northside Stevens Northside Taft Northside Warren

DISTRICT 28 Corpus Christi Carroll Corpus Christi King Corpus Christi RaySan Antonio E. Central San Antonio Southwest South San Antonio

DISTRICT 29 Del RioEagle PassLaredo Alexander Laredo Johnson Laredo United Laredo United South

DISTRICT 30 La JoyaLa Joya Juarez-Lincoln La Joya Palmview McAllenMcAllen Memorial McAllen Rowe Mission

DISTRICT 31 EdinburgEdinburg Economedes Edinburg NorthPSJA Memorial

PSJA NorthWeslacoWeslaco East

DISTRICT 32 Brownsville Hanna Brownsville Lopez Brownsville Rivera Brownsville Veterans Memorial Harlingen Harlingen South Los FresnosSan Benito

CONFERENCE 5A DISTRICT 25 Austin Vandegrift Cedar ParkCedar Park Vista Ridge Dripping Springs Georgetown Georgetown East View Leander Marble Falls

DISTRICT 26 Austin Ann Richards Schl * for Young Women Ldrs Austin CrockettAustin Eastside Memorial Austin JohnsonAustin KIPP Collegiate + Austin LanierAustin McCallum Austin ReaganAustin TravisBastropBastrop Cedar Creek

DISTRICT 27 Boerne Champion Floresville Kerrville Tivy Lockhart SA Alamo HeightsSan Antonio Kennedy San Antonio Memorial San MarcosSeguin

DISTRICT 28 SA BrackenridgeSan Antonio Burbank San Antonio EdisonSan Antonio Harlandale San Antonio Highlands San Antonio Houston San Antonio Jefferson San Antonio LanierSan Antonio McCollum

DISTRICT 29 Castroville Medina Valley Eagle Pass Winn Laredo Cigarroa Laredo MartinLaredo NixonSan Antonio Southside Somerset + Uvalde

DISTRICT 30 AliceCC CalallenCC Flour BluffCC Tuloso-Midway Corpus Christi Miller Corpus Christi Moody Gregory-Portland Victoria EastVictoria West

DISTRICT 31 Edinburg Vela Mission Sharyland Mission Veterans Memorial Pharr Valley View Rio Grande City RomaSharyland Pioneer

DISTRICT 32 Brownsville Pace Brownsville Porter DonnaDonna North Edcouch-Elsa MercedesPharr-San Juan-Alamo PSJA Southwest

Sharyland Head Soccer Coach Reveriano “Rev” Hernandez leads his top ranked Rattlers in 2015. (HSSMIMages/Montalvo)

McAllen Memorial defeated Harlingen South to advance to the Class 5A Region IV Semifinals in 2014. Both teams are favored to make another deep

playoff run in 2015. (HSSMIMages/AlecAmador)

Three Classifications in 2015. UIL Soccer Tournament will now feature Class 4A, 5A, and 6A at Georgetown ISD.


HSSM: What an opportunity to coach at the same high school you graduated from and played?

Ashley: It’s an honor to come back. I have been an assistant here at Harlingen High School and to have this opportunity. It’s breath taking but, I have been taught to coach by my peers. This is just an honor and these players are buying into the program.

HSSM: With head coach Nora Zamarippa out on medical leave, how challenging has this opportunity been for you?

Ashley: You dream about these opportunities and it comes. When I was asked to take over at the start of the season I felt I was ready. I was ready to coach.

HSSM: Do coaches dream of coaching at the 6A level?

Ashley: Yes they do. I am fortunate.

HSSM: What does it take to step right in and lead your district in the standings?

Ashley: I love what I do. It’s about dealing with parents and working together. We have to walk together. Our parental support is great. That’s what we have here. This team does community work for the Boys and Girls club. I encourage my team that “giving back” with core values. That’s what will make you successful.

HSSM: Playing Brownsville Veterans with both teams undefeated in league play. Were you nervous?

Ashley: No. (she laughs) I was not nervous. When the game starts...it game time. I pay attention to the team. It’s our time to play.

HSSM: How did it feel to play your first home game in the gymnasium you once played on?

Ashley: Walking onto the court brought me back to reality. I knew it was always in me to coach. You look back at the years I played. This is something I loved.

HSSM: Many teams want to beat the Harlingen Cardinals in any sport. It’s that Cardinal Pride. Is it for real now?

Ashley: Yes. Teams are out to beat us. You can feel that Harlingen Pride. I feel that all the time. I tell our players that we can never let our guard down. Its Harlingen.

HSSM: So what will it take to win the district title as an interim coach?

Ashley: Our main thing is compete for district. We are doing great. We have to focus on peaking each week. That’s what will make us better.

HSSM: This year the UIL State Basketball Championships

will be played in San Antonio. What does that mean to you?

Ashley: We have to stay healthy. Its about having the mental aspect. At state, players are bigger. It becomes a mental game. That’s what we need to do once the playoffs come around.

HSSM: Who inspires you the most?

Ashley: (pauses)...My Dad. He died of cancer at 33-years-old when I was ten. He still inspires me. He was always there for me. I coach in his honor.

HSSM: Growing up and playing basketball. Was it hard to not see your Dad in the stands?

Ashley: That was difficult. It was hard not to see my Dad in the stands. I still have images of seeing my Dad.

HSSM: Was your dad a Harlingen Cardinal fan?

Ashley: No. He was a San Benito Greyhound fan and graduated in 1978 from San Benito HS. He knew we were Cardinal fans all the way.

HSSM: So who is your biggest fan?

Ashley: My Dad and my Mom. I admired my Mom for raising us as a single parent.


AT 31 YEARS OLD, MONCIVAIZ IS GIVEN THE TASK TO LEAD THE LADY CARDINALS WHILE HEAD COACH IS OUT ON MEDICAL LEAVE. THE FORMER 2002 HARLINGEN HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE HAS HER TEAM LEADING THE DISTRICT 32-6A. A COLLEGE GRADUATE FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS-BROWNSVILLE, SHE TALKS ABOUT HER OPPORTUNITY AND WHO INSPIRES HER ON THE COURT.

rookie coachLooking for a 32-6a Title?



All South Texas Most Valuable Players Sean Landez, Sharyland H.S. • Ray Dinnall-Guerra, Edcouch-Elsa H.S. • Trevor Speights, McAllen Memorial H.S. • Ron Adame, Sharyland H.S. head football coach Named Coach of the Year

Overlooked for his accomplishments, Sharyland High School head football coach Ron Adame led his Rattlers to its third straight Region IV Regional finals in Class 5A, after moving down a classification from the new-6A division in only his first three seasons as a head football

coach. He also led his Rattlers to an impressive 35-4 record, including three straight district and area titles. For his accomplishments, High School Sports Magazine names Adame as the 2014 All-South Texas Football Coach of the Year presented by Church’s Chicken of the Rio Grande Valley. “This is quite an honor,” says Adame. “It speaks volume. This is a tribute to my players and staff.”

The Rattlers were faced with the dilemma of splitting into two high schools this season, with new high school, Pioneer High opening. Some players transferred, some players stayed. “That was challenging but we stayed focused on our season. Most of our seniors stayed, but next year will be a rebuilding season,” adds

Adame. The 31-5A champions, Rattlers, posted huge wins over 30-6A champions, McAllen Memorial (9-2) and followed by wins over district champions, Laredo United (8-5) from 29-6A. Both games were non-district games. In the playoffs, the Rattlers blanked Calallen 28-0 in the second round before ending its season against state finalist, Cedar Park 52-24. “To lose to the state finalist only gives our team and staff reason to believe that we can get to the next level,” says Adame. “Those teams are tough to play but we are getting there.”

The All-South Texas Most Valuable Player awards went to McAllen Memorial High School running back, Trevor Speights on offense; defensive end, Ray Dinnall-Guerra from Edcouch-Elsa HS was honored as the Defensive MVP; and the special teams/all purpose player MVP award went to Sean Landez, from Sharyland High School. All three players made the all-state teams in Class 6A and 5A.

Junior running back, Speights rushed for 2,655 yards on 238 carries and 30 touchdowns. He also returned one punt for a touchdown and had 199 yards returned

on special teams. To date, he has 6,673 yards rushing in three seasons and 66 total touchdowns. Speights was also named to the first team in Class 6A by the Associated Press.

Senior defensive back, Sean Landez from Sharyland High School returned a kickoff 109-yards in 2013 to set a national record and then returned his senior year to intercept 10 balls from opponents. He also had 36 solo tackles, one forced fumble, in addition to his 15 kickoff returns for 338 yards. He had another 19 punts returned for 437 yards and three touchdowns. He was also named to the Class 5A First Team as a defensive back. “Sean has been a tremendous leader. Very deserving. We will miss him,” says Adame.

Senior defensive end, Ray Dinnall-Guerra was a nightmare to opposing teams from South Texas. At 6’2 and 265 lbs, he recorded 18 quarterback sacks and had more than 106 tackles throughout his senior year. “He’s well-deserving of this award,” says head coach Joe Marichalar from Edcouch-Elsa High School. “He was our captain and anchored our defense.” Guerra was also named to the first team on defense in Class 5A.

(McAllen, Texas)



t’s been a long time since the PSJA North

Lady Raiders basketball team has won a

district title. As a matter of fact, the Lady

Raiders have not won a title, yet. The

University Interscholastic League realigned the

districts throughout the state of Texas this past

February by putting the PSJA North Lady Raiders

in District 31-6A, the same district with Weslaco,

Weslaco East, Edinburg, Edinburg North, Edinburg

Economedes, and PSJA Memorial. Seven teams with

plenty of playoff rich history. “I was stunned and I

knew that we would have our work cutout for us in

2014-15,” said head coach Randy Bocanegra. The

Lady Raiders would compete in the same district with

two-time defending Region IV Quarterfinal Champions,

Weslaco. “Our team is about team first,” says

Bocanegra. “Our team understands that hard work

and play to the finish would help us succeed against

teams like Weslaco.”

Bocanegra teaches his players about team-work.

The tallest player on the squad is senior Samantha

Guzman at 5’7” and the shortest player, Ariana

Medrano stands tall at 5’0”. Despite their size, the

rest of the team plays even taller on game nights.

Team captain Cynthia Martinez leads the Lady

Raiders with 14.0 points per game and against

Edinburg, the senior carried her team with 23 points

in their 64-41 win to stay undefeated at 6-0 to finish

the first half of district play alone in first place. “We

move the ball up court and shoot,” says Bocanegra.

“We have to keep teams off balance because of our

height disadvantage.”

To date, the Lady Raiders have attempted 676

three-point attempts and have scored 1,402 points.

(Pharr, Texas)

I



Six Seasons with Bocanegra2014-15 23-3 (Currently in first place)2013-14 21-11 (Bi-District Finals)2012-13 24-10 (Bi-District Finals)2011-12 27-8 (Bi-District title)2010-11 18-16 (Missed Playoffs) 2009-10 14-22 (Missed Playoffs)

Notable Wins in 2014-15Lardeo United 53-44McAllen Nikki Rowe 54-47Rio Hondo 63-33 (No.20 state ranked 3A)McAllen Memorial 70-35 Weslaco 64-54Brownsville Veterans Memorial 55-53Los Fresnos 49-33

Notable Losses in 2014-15Harlingen 55-58 (6A No.20 state-ranked)San Antonio Churchill 50-74Cedar Park 34-44 (5A No. 18 state-ranked)


high level too,” says the Lady Raider coach. Today,

there are more than 80 players in his basketball

program at the high school level.


Martinez is always a threat with 347 attempts from

the three point line. These attempts by the Lady

Raiders leads to fouls by their opponents and that

has put the Lady Raiders at the foul line with 347 free

throw attempts. “We have to get what we can,” adds

Bocanegra. “The attitudes of the girls is just amazing.

They know that they have to play four quarters of

basketball on game day.”

Bocanegra has only six years of head coaching

experience with girls basketball. He was an assistant

with PSJA North boys head basketball coach, Jaime

Gongora for five years before accepting his first

head coaching position. “I never thought I would

coach a girls basketball team. It’s the best decision I

have made in my career. These girls keep me busy,”

laughs Bocanegra.

In his first six seasons, Bocanegra says that building

the basketball program did not come easy when he

first took over the program. “Girls just did not come

and play. I had to recruit girls and work with them

on their fundamentals. It had to start at the junior

Pictured: are the 2014-15 PSJA North Lady Raiders Sarah Serrano-

Sophomore, Cynthia Martinez-Senior, Tiffany Puente-Senior,

Samantha Guzman-Senior, Toni Acevedo-Senior, Stephanie

Crispin-Sophomore, Vanessa Maldonado-Junior, Ariana

Medrano-Junior, Lisa Palacios-Senior, Isabel Palacios-Junior,

Miranda Dimas-Senior, and Kara Ramirez-Sophomore.

(HSSM Images/Alec Amador)

the Lady Raiders have attempted 676 three-

point attempts & have scored 1,402 points.

Fact:

Jan feb2015

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