jan feb2015
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http://highschoolsportsmagazine.net/pdfs/Jan-Feb2015.pdfTRANSCRIPT
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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
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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
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
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.
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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.• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
By Alec Amador HSSM Lead Sports Photographer
JANUARY 23, 2015 - FEBRUARY 28, 2015
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BY DAVID A. AMADOR • HSSM SPORTS DIRECTOR
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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.
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• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
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
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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
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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
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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)
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BY DAVID A. AMADOR • HSSM SPORTS DIRECTOR
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• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
State Ranked No. 17 The Harlingen Lady Cardinals defeated Brownsville Veterans Memorial to take sole possession of first place in District 32-6A. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
By Alec Amador HSSM Lead Sports Photographer
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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.• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
By Cesar Montalvo HSSM Sports Photographer
(Harlingen, Tx)
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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.
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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
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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.• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
By Cesar Montalvo HSSM Sports Photographer
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San Isidro San Perlita Santa Maria Lasara La VillaRiviera Kaufer Bruni
District 32-2A Season District
District 32-4A Season District
District 32-5A 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
District 32-6A Season District District 31-5A Season District
District 30-6A 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
District 32-2A Season District
District 32-4A Season District
District 32-5A Season District
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
District 32-3A Season District District 31-6A Season District
District 32-6A Season District District 31-5A Season District
District 30-6A Season District
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
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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
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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.• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
By Alec Amador HSSM Lead Sports Photographer
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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.• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
By Alec Amador HSSM Lead Sports Photographer
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• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • mercedesTIGERS WILL BE BIDDING FOR A STATE SOCCER PLAYOFF RUN IN 2015. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
By Alec Amador HSSM Lead Sports Photographer
CAN THE VALLEY VIEW TIGERS MAKE ANOTHER UIL STATE TOURNAMENT APPEARANCE IN 2015? (HSSM IMAGES/ALEC AMADOR)
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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)
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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?• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
By Cesar Montalvo HSSM Sports Photographer
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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
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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.
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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.
BY DAVID A. AMADOR • HSSM SPORTS DIRECTOR
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?
By Alec Amador HSSM Lead Sports Photographer
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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)
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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
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BY DAVID A. AMADOR • HSSM SPORTS DIRECTOR
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)
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high level too,” says the Lady Raider coach. Today,
there are more than 80 players in his basketball
program at the high school level.
43JANUARY 23, 2015 - FEBRUARY 28, 2015
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:
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