2015 December Basketball Preview

18th Edition December 26, 2015

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PREVIEW2015-16 BASKETBALL


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18th Edition December 26, 2015





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CourtsideHead basketball coaches show their expressions on GameDay.

Ten PollsWhich team is No.1 from the Rio Grande Valley? See Top Rankings...

2007

08

StandingsDistrictOn The

See which team is no.1 in your district from the Rio Grande Valley.

HSSMBB PreviewHSSM takes a look at top teams from the Rio Grande Valley. Any guesses?

27 Girls

with TddaveGoing for three-points. Is it worth? Where are the football fans?

04 HSSM

State PollsTake a look at the best-of-the-best teams from Texas. Which RGV teams are ranked?

35 GirlsBoys PreviewCan Edinburg Vela, McAl-len make it back to the Sweet 16 in 2016?

11 HSSM

Capello...Guess who is back on court side going for win Number 1,000?

16 HSSMRyan Garza leads his Edinburg Vela Sabercats in 2016. (HSSMIMages/Alec Amador)

BasketballPREVIEW

OnTheCoverGet the latest information on teams from the Rio Grande Valley...

High School Sports Magazine

For more on UIL State Playoffs

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The idea of shooting three-pointers from downtown seems to be, or feel, like, wanna-be NBA pros, flip of the wrist motion, motion, emotionally shot. It’s what teens love. It’s what coaches hate. It’s what coaches love when it sinks in. But, that’s basketball. When December comes around, basketball comes around. It’s a time when fans fill the benches to watch their favor-ite teams play. Not like football, maybe less than fifty fans will sit and watch this game that draws no interest whatsoever from Rio Grande Valley fans. Why? Football is king in the Rio Grande Valley. Anytime girls and boys play basketball, their seasons are cut short in the playoffs due to their lack in size and ability. Ath-letes from Region IV just keep getting bigger and quicker. Many basketball athletes continue to play year-round on traveling teams so that they can get better each day. Many want to play college basketball, many will not even get their chance. So instead, these players continue to make the most out of their high school years.

Play, play, and play as much as they can, till they graudate. For the third consecutive season, the Alamodome in San Anto-nio, Texas will play host to the 2016 University Interscholastic League’s State Basketball Championships beginning with the girls semifinals on March 3-5th, 2016 while the boys games begin on March 10-12th, 2016. Last year, Rexline, Canadian, Brock, Bridgeport, Lancaster, and Plano west won titles in the boys divi-sions while teams like Nazareth, Martin’s Mill, Sunnyvale, Argyle, Canyon, and Houston Cypress Woods all won titles in the girls division. So here’s to all the Jordans, Parkers, and Currys that love playing this game of basketball. Keep shooting those three-point-ers. Keep playing the game. It’s fun to watch.

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PREVIEWPREVIEWBASKETBALLBASKETBALL2015-162015-16

Weslaco, Harlingen South, Vela, FavoredWeslaco, Harlingen South, Vela, Favored

By David A. AmadorHSSM Sportswriter

11See StoryNext PageSee StoryNext Page

BETTER SELECTION BETTER SERVICE BETTER PRICES

Zeke CuellarEdinburg HS

Greg YatesHarlingen HS

Ryan Flores McAllen HS

Edward Abrego San Benito HS

David KeithSharyland HS

Randy BocanegraPSJA North HS

COURTSIDE

HSSM captures the frustrations, dedicated, competitive, head basketball coaches on the courtside at various games throughout the Rio Grande Valley. Coaches love this game of basketball and spend countless of hours with their teams to pre-pare for Gameday. Their expressions tells it all. (HSSMImages/Alec Amador)

Great Point Guards! PSJA North head coach Jaime Gongora says that he was the “best point guard” in his era while Gabe Valdez from Weslaco led the district in scoring as a senior for the Panthers. Lalo Rios graduated from Edinburg HS where the “Running Bobcats” dominated the 5A ranks in South Texas. All three led their districts in scoring during their high school years. (HSSMImages/Alec Amador)

Like Father, Like Son. Brian Molina, head bas-ketball coach at Harlingen South HS followed his father’s footsteps in the coaching field. His father, “Mo” Molina has coached for more than thirty-eight years in South Texas and was inducted into the RGV Coaches Hall of Fame. He is retired and now coaching at Marine Military Academy in Harlingen. He has more than 440 wins in his career. (HSSMImages/Alec Amador)

POLLSTOP1

0 As of Decemeber 26, 2015

Boys Rankings1. Edinburg Vela 18-22. McAllen Memorial 13-53. Harlingen South 12-34. Weslaco 15-65. Brownsville Veterans 18-26. McAllen Rowe 14-87. Los Fresnos 14-68. Edinburg North 15-79. Weslaco East 15-610. Edinburg North 12-8

Girls Rankings1. Harlingen 21-12. Weslaco 19-63. PSJA North 20-24. Rio Grande City 17-65. McAllen Nikki Rowe 14-86. Brownsville Veterans 17-57. Sharyland 16-68. Edinburg 19-79. Los Fresnos 15-810. La Feria 15-5

(HS

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The PSJA North Raiders will be favored to make the playoffs in 2016. (HSSMIMages/Tddave)

9

Weslaco High School Lady PanthersWeslaco High School Lady Panthers

Weslaco east Lady wildcatsWeslaco East Lady Wildcats

District 31-6ADistrict 31-6A

Advertisement Paid For By WISD

Head CoachWilliam Kromer

Head CoachGriselda Fino



2015-16 HSSM BASKETBALL PREVIEW

Edinburg EconomedesVarsity Girls Basketball

Edinburg Vela HS Varsity Girls Basketball

Edinburg BobcatsVarsity Boys BasketballBi-District6A Finalist

Edinburg North HS Varsity Boys Basketball-Bi District 6A Finalist

Edinburg Vela HSVarsity Boys Basketball Defending Champions 31-5A

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Defending 31-5AChampions

Defending Champions! The Weslaco Panthers and Edinburg Vela Sabercats both won district titles in 2015. The Sabercats won the 31-5A title while the Panthers finished in the top spot in 31-6A. Both teams met in the Craig Weisman Tournament in La Feria with the Panthers winning 55-50 in the tournament. (HSSMImages/Alec Amador)


(McAllen, Texas)-The Edinburg Vela Sabercats will get one more chance to play for a state title in Class 5A before they are expected to move to Class 6A with the upcoming University Interscholastic League’s Relaiognments set to debut again in February 2016. The Sabercats advanced to the UIL 5A Regin IV Basketball Tour-nament last season under head coach Lalo Rios. “This will be our last season in Class 5A before we are expected to move up,”

says Rios. In the playoffs, the Sabercats seemed untouchable with wins over PSJA (101-57), before they played Corpus Christi Miller in a wild 70-68 win in the area championships. “That was one heck of a game,” says Rios as he clinched his fist, winning his first title as a Sabercats head coach. In the regional quarter finals, Vela wasted no time by defeating Laredo Martin 102-48. In the regional semifi-nals, the Sabercats lost their edge as San

Antonio Sam Houston put a stop to the high-scoring Sabercats by winning 66-57. To date, the Sabercats are on the same path as they experienced in 2015 sporting a 19-2 overall record with District 31-5A set to begin next week. Reeturning are eight seniors, including Michael Garcia (6’2), Luis Salinas (6’5), and Robert Arevalo (6’3). Point guard and play maker, Ryan Garza also returns for his junior year to lead the Sabercats. 15See Story

Next Page

Defending Champions 31-5A

2015-162015-16

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Head Basketball CoachRick Trevino

Mercedes High School PrincipalPatricia Masso

Mercedes ISD SuperintendentDr. Daniel Trevino Jr.

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The Edinburg Bobcats, Brownsville Hanna, Los Fresnos Falcons, and Sharyland Rat-tlers are picked by HSSM to make the playoffs in 2016. The Rattlers, coached by David Keith are expected to challenge Edinburg Vela for the title while the Tigers will be much improved this season. (HSSMImages/Alec Amador)ContendersPlayoff

Great Warriors! In District 30-6A, the McAllen Nikki Rowe Warriors won the district title in 2013-14 with a perfect 16-0 record and went 31-2 that season. Can head coach Jose Luis Yerba lead his Warriors again to the state playoffs? Rowe lost to Laredo United 60-45 in the 6A Bi-District playoffs in 2015. Bottom photo are the Misison Veterans Memo-rial Patriots against Brownsville Pace. Both teams will contend for playoff spots in 2016. (HSSMImages/Alec Amador)




Big Challenge! The Brownsville Veterans Memorial Chargers, led by Eduardo Guzman from District 32-6A, hopes to lead his team to the UIL State 6A playoffs while the District 31-6A Edinburg Economedes Jags head coach Jaime Olivarez leads his in his first season. (Bottom photo) The Hidalgo Pirates will be favored to wingthe 32-4A title in 2016. (HSSMImages/Alec Amador)


In District 31-6A, the defending champions, Weslaco Panthers are off and running to with an overall record of 15-6. Trailing the Panthers are rivals, Weslaco East (15-6) followed by surpris-ing Edinburg North (15-7)). In the contetion for possible playoff berths are the young, fiesty, PSJA North Raiders at 12-8 overall. The district will begin this week with teams set to make runs at the district title but the Panthers looks like the team to beat as they return Justice Free (6’3), Nick Mora (6’1), Jordan Young (6’0), Diego Rodriguez (5’8), and Jason Morales (6’0). The Raid-ers have posted wins over McAllen Memorial (64-61), Sharyland (69-39), McAllen (58-42), and Edcouch-Elsa (97-65) in non-




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Winningest Hispanic Basketball Coach! In District 32-5A, the Edcouch-Elsa Yellowjackets head coach Rob-ert Capello is the winningest Hispanic basketball coach in the United States with 970 wins and counting. He retired and then decided to come back to coach the Yellowjackets, again. (HSSMImages/Alec Amador)


www.eeisd.orgEdcouch-Elsa ISDAthletic Director

Christian NavarroEdcouch-Elsa HS

Athletic CoordinatorJoe Marichalar

Basketball Head CoachRobert Capello

Edcouch-Elsa ISD Superintendent

Dr. Richard Rivera

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2015-16 Boys Basketball TeamEdcouch-Elsa ISD proudly salutes,Edcouch-Elsa ISD proudly salutes,

2015 Class 5A Bi-District FinalistWelcome Back Robert Capello...

Pride of Harlingen. In District 32-6A, the Harlingen Cardinals will be looking to make the UIL State 6A Basketball play-offs in 2016 under head coach Greg Yates after missing the playoffs in 2015. (HSSMImages/Alec Amador)




conference games. Returning for the Raiders are Mario Hernandez, Anthony Chavez, Josh Garcia, RayRay Lopez, Dante Chapa, along with five more juniors and one freshmen listed on their roster. “We are young,” says head coach Jaime Gongora. “We play with a lot of heart and I’m proud of our team.”

Another 31-6A team looking to challenge Weslaco will be the Edinburg North Cougars. Head coach Rudy Garcia knows that his team will be put to test when they begin district play. Returning for the Cougars are Bobby Cerda (6’5), Ublado Pegueno (6’3), Kobe Patterson (6’4), Christian Espinoza (6’3), and Alexis Bocanegra (6’0).

The Cougars also found room for one freshmen, point guard Ricardo Alaniz (5’8) who is showing promise in his first year on varsity. Alaniz has played in fourteen games this season. Leading the Cougars are Patterson with 15.0 ppg and seven rebounds. In District 30-6A, one ques-tion remains: Can the McAllen Bulldogs make it back to the UIL 6A Region IV Tournament under second-year head coach, Ryan Flores? The Bulldogs won the 30-6A title in 2015 and rolled into the playoffs with wins over Del Rio (56-43), Hanna (64-56), Harlingen South (54-48) before being eliminated by Shertz-Clemens 97-47 at the UTSA Convoca-tion Center in San Antonio, Texas last March 6th. Basket-ball season tipsoff again on January 4th.

We play with a lot of heart and I’m proud of our team...

“

“Jaime Gongora, PSJA North HS

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Playoffs2014-2015 Season

Region IV

Boys Class 6A Bi-DistrictMcA Memorial 54 Lare Alexander 63Weslaco 57 Brownsville Veterans 52Laredo United 60 McAllen Rowe 45Los Fresnos 54 PSJA North 47

Edinburg 26 Harlingen South 56Laredo United South 58 Palmview 64Bro Hanna 53 Edinburg North 43McAllen 56 Del Rio 43

Region IV-Area ChampionshipsHarlingen South 56 LJ Palmview 53Bro Hanna 56 McAllen 64Weslaco 56 Laredo Alexander 68Laredo United 57 Los Fresnos 30

Regional IV QtrsMcAllen 54 Harlingen South 48Laredo United 55 Laredo Alexander 66Region IV SemifinalsMcAllen 47 Shertz-Clemens 97Laredo Alexander 54 SA Warren 51

Region IV FinalsLaredo Alexander 85 Shertz-Clemens 117

Another Sweet 16? In District 30-6A, the McAllen Bulldogs will be looking to make the UIL State 6A Basketball playoffs under head coach Ryan Flores. The Bulldogs advanced to the Region IV-6A tournament in 2015. (HSSMImages/Tddave)

San Benito Greyhounds! In District 32-6A, the Greyhounds missed the UIL State 6A Basketball playoffs for the second time since 2013 under head coach Edward Abrego. The Greyhounds will be much improved in 2016. (HSSMImages/Alec Amador)

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StandingsAs of Decemeber 26, 2015

Region IV-Rio Grande Valley

District 30-6A OverallMcAllen MemorialMcAllen RoweLa JoyaLa Joya PalmviewMcAllen LJ Juarez-LincolnMission

13-514-812-812-109-104-64-15

District 31-6A OverallWeslaco EastWeslacoEdinburg NorthPSJA NorthEdinburgEconomedesPSJA Memorial

15-615-615-712-89-84-94-9

District 32-6A OverallBrownsville VetsHarlingen SouthLos FresnosHarlingenBrownsville LopezBrownsville RiveraBrownsville HannaSan Benito

18-212-314-611-79-98-106-125-8

District 32-5A OverallBrownsville PaceMercedesDonna NorthBrownsville PorterEd-ElsaPSJADonnaPSJA Southwest

9-99-106-86-106-145-161-91-9

District 31-5A OverallEdinburg VelaMission VeteransSharyland PioneerValley ViewRomaRio Grande CitySharyland

18-214-812-813-108-129-144-13

District 32-4A OverallLa FeriaGrullaHidalgoRio HondoProgresoPort IsabelRaymondvilleZapata

12-78-69-98-76-76-114-114-11

District 32-3A OverallLyfordSanta RosaBrownsville FrontierMonte AltoEdinburg IDEA

13-36-85-92-92-8

District 32-2A OverallSan IsidroSanta MariaSan PerlitaLa VillaLasaraRivera KauferBruni

14-311-69-102-82-82-82-8

Boys

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Go Rio! In District 31-5A, the Rio Grande City Rattlers will be favored to make the UIL State 5A Basketball playoffs under head coach Homer Garr. Pictured is senior, Ivan Garcia diving on court. (HSSMImages/Alec Amador)


StandingsAs of Decemeber 26, 2015

Region IV-Rio Grande Valley

District 30-6A DistrictMcAllen MemorialMcAllen RoweLa Joya PalmviewMcAllen La JoyaLJ Juarez-LincolnMission

3-02-01-11-11-21-20-3

District 31-6A DistrictWeslacoWeslaco EastEconomedesPSJA NorthEdinburgEdinburg NorthPSJA Memorial

2-02-01-01-10-10-20-2

District 32-6A DistrictHarlingenBrownsville VetsLos FresnosHarlingen SouthSan BenitoBrownsville RiveraBrownsville HannaBrownsville Lopez

3-03-02-12-11-20-10-10-2

District 32-5A DistrictMercedesPSJAEd-ElsaBrownsville PaceDonnaDonna NorthPSJA SouthwestBrownsville Porter

2-02-01-11-11-11-10-20-2

District 31-5A DistrictSharylandRio Grande CityRomaSharyland PioneerMission VeteransValley ViewEdinburg Vela

2-02-01-11-10-10-10-2

District 32-4A DistrictLa FeriaZapataHidalgoRio HondoGrullaProgresoRaymondvillePort Isabel

2-02-02-01-11-10-20-20-2

District 32-3A DistrictMonte AltoBrownsville IDEALyfordEdinburg IDEASanta Rosa

2-11-11-10-20-2

District 32-2A DistrictLa VillaSan PerlitaSan IsidroBruniRivera KauferLasaraSanta Maria

3-02-11-11-11-10-31-0

Girls

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Ready for 2016! In District 30-6A, the La Joya Palmview Lobos will be looking to make the UIL State 6A Basketball playoffs for their third straight season under head coach Andy Saenz. Pictured are John Castanon, Damian Quintanilla, Fernando Ochoa, Brandon Hernandez, Mando Alaniz, Ever Perez, Dante Olmeda, Jacob Salinas, and Paco De La O. (HSSMImages/Alec Amador)

Thursday, Dec. 17City of Palms ClassicPool A: McAllen Rowe, Edinburg High, Donna HighPool B: La Joya Palmview, Brownsville Rivera, MercedesPool C: Brownsville Pace, Edinburg North, Mission HighPool D: Los Fresnos, Roma, Corpus Christi LondonPool E: Laredo United, Brownsville Lopez, La Joya HighPool F: Weslaco High, Laredo United South, Brownsville Porter

at McAllen Rowe (main gym)

G1: McAllen Rowe 54, Edinburg High 26G3: Edinburg North 63, Brownsville Pace 53G7: Mercedes 72, La Joya Palmview 57G9: Los Fresnos 74, CC London 38G13: Edinburg High 67, Donna High 58G15: Roma 54, Corpus Christi London 40

G17: La Joya High 70, Brownsville Lopez 60

at McAllen Rowe (back gym)G2: Palmview 80, Brownsville Rivera 63G4: Los Fresnos 73, Roma 41G8: McAllen Rowe 63, Donna High 33G10: Brownsville Pace 61, Mission High 56G14: Brownsville Rivera 65, Mercedes 52G16: Edinburg North 52, Mission High 49G18: Laredo United South 58, Porter 37

at Lincoln Middle SchoolG5: Laredo United 78, Brownsville Lopez 51G11: Laredo United 70, La Joya High 59at De Leon Middle SchoolG6: Laredo United South 64, Weslaco High 51G12: Weslaco High 68, Brownsville Porter 32

Friday, Dec. 18at McAllen Rowe (main gym)

G22: La Joya Palmview 53, Brownsville Pace 45G24: McAllen Rowe 38, Weslaco High 30G26: Laredo U South 63, Edinburg 51G30: La Joya High 57 Pace 53

G32: Weslaco 57, Ed North 52, OTat McAllen Rowe (back gym)G23: Roma 52, La Joya High 46G25: Mercedes 61, Edinburg North 48G27: Laredo United 77, Los Fresnos 68G33: Los Fresnos 43, Edinburg High 40

Saturday, Dec. 19at McAllen Rowe (main gym)G34: Roma 82, La Joya Palmview 68 (fifth place)

G35: McAllen Rowe 62, Mercedes 52 (semifinal)G36: Laredo United 54, Laredo United South 52 (semifinal)G37: Los Fresnos 62, Weslaco High 59 (consolation)G38: Laredo United South 67, Mercedes 48 (third place)G39: Laredo United 53, McAllen Rowe 46 (championship)

RGV Basketball TournamentResults


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Thursday, Dec. 17

PSJA Tri-City Classic

Pool A: PSJA North; Sharyland High; La Feria; Edcouch-Elsa

Pool B: PSJA Memorial; Harlingen South; Valley View; Laredo LBJ

Pool C: PSJA Southwest; Brownsville Hanna; Sharyland Pioneer; Hidalgo

Pool D: PSJA High; Edinburg Economedes; Brownsville Veterans; Rio Grande City

Hidalgo 56, PSJA Southwest 39Bro Veterans 67, Edinburg Economedes 42Harlingen South 69, Valley View 48PSJA North 97, Edcouch-Elsa 65Sharyland Pioneer 77, PSJA Southwest 40Brownsville Hanna 65, Hidalgo 43Edcouch-Elsa 84, Sharyland High 74PSJA North 71, La Feria 53Sharyland Pioneer 56, Brownsville Hanna 43Rio Grande City 39, PSJA High 35La Feria 55, Sharyland High 35Laredo LBJ 64, PSJA Memorial 57Brownsville Veterans 58, Rio Grande City 38Edinburg Economedes 51, PSJA High 43Harlingen South 70, Laredo LBJ 48Valley View 71, PSJA Memorial 45

Friday, Dec. 18 PSJA Tri-City Classic

La Feria 59, Edcouch-Elsa 43PSJA North 71, Sharyland High 48Harlingen South 70, PSJA Memorial 35Laredo LBJ 64, Valley View 50Brownsville Hanna 56, PSJA Southwest 36Sharyland Pioneer 47, Hidalgo 45Edinburg Economedes 43, Rio Grande City 41Brownsville Veterans 58, PSJA High 42Brownsville Hanna 47, PSJA North 45Harlingen South 64, Edinburg Economedes 53Bro Veterans Memorial 86, Laredo LBJ 71La Feria 59, Sharyland Pioneer 49PSJA Southwest 66, Edcouch-Elsa 56Valley View 59, PSJA High 39Rio Grande City 40, PSJA Memorial 23Sharyland High 69, Hidalgo 64

Saturday, Dec. 19 Tournaments

Harlingen South 75, Brownsville Hanna 59Brownsville Veterans Memorial 67, La Feria 41Bro Veterans 74, Harlingen South 71, 2 OTLa Feria 60, Brownsville Hanna 54 (third place)Edinburg Economedes def. PSJA NorthSharyland Pioneer def. Laredo LBJPioneer 62, Economedes 34 (consolation)Silver bracketValley View 55, PSJA Southwest 37Rio Grande City 45, Sharyland High 42Sharyland 54, PSJA Southwest 46 (third place)Valley View vs. Rio Grande City (forfeited; Val-ley View wins) (championship)Hidalgo 52, PSJA High 42 (consolation)PSJA High 58, Edcouch-Elsa 49Hidalgo 61, PSJA Memorial 49

RGV Basketball TournamentResults

Javelinas Playoff Bound? In District 32-5A, the PSJA Southwest Javelinas will be looking to make the UIL State 5A Bas-ketball playoffs for the first time in school history.(Bottom Photo) Valley View HS Miguel Garcia will lead his team in District 31-5A. (HSSMImages/Alec Amador)


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Another Showdown? In District 31-6A, the Weslaco Pan-therettes will be favored to make the playoffs for their 8th straight season under head coach Griselda Fino. (HSSMImages/Alec Amador)

PREVIEWPREVIEWBASKETBALLBASKETBALL2015-162015-16

Weslaco, PSJA North, Harlingen FavoredWeslaco, PSJA North, Harlingen Favored

By David A. AmadorHSSM Sportswriter

28See StoryNext PageSee StoryNext Page




Looking For Playoff Bid? District 30-6A La Joya Juarez-Lincoln Lady Huskies will be looking for a playoff bid in 2016 as they will be much improved. District resumes January 8th with the Lady Lobos at McAllen Memorial in a key game. (HSSMImages/Alec Amador)



Season By Season Since 2011

PSJA North Lady Raiders2015-16 Tied for 2nd place 2014-15 District 31-6A Champions2013-14 Bi-District Champions2012-13 Bi-District finalist2011-12 Area Finalist

Weslaco HS Lady Pantherettes2015-16 Tied for 1st place2014-15 Bi-District Champions2013-14 Regional Semifinals2012-13 Regional Semifinals2011-12 Bi-District Champions

Harlingen HS Lady Cardinals2015-16 Currently in 1st place2014-15 District 32-6A Champions2013-14 Bi-District Champions2012-13 Regional Semifinals2011-12 Regional Qtrs Finals

Top Basketball Programs(McAllen, Texas)-Three basketball programs from the Rio Grande Valley have dominat-ed the South Texas Region IV area. Harlingen, PSJA North, and Weslaco in Class 6A are the basketball programs on the rise. All three have experienced third round appearances since 2012, with only Harlingen and Weslaco making it to the University Interscholastic League Region IV Basketball Tournament. “We thrive on working hard when odds are against us,” says Randy Bocangera from PSJA North. “We were undersized and played with a lot of heart last year.” The PSJA North Lady Raiders are off and running with an impressive 17-1 overall record in 2015 and as the new year is just a few days away, their only enemies will be

“We thrive on working hard when odds are against us...”the Weslaco Lady Panthers. Both teams will be picked to contend for another district title. The Lady Panthers, coached by Griselda Fino, defeated the Lady Raiders 52-49 in their district opener on December 15th setting the tone of what could turn out to be

Randy BocanegraPSJA North HS Head Coach


Defending Champions, District 30-6A McAllen Memorial High School Lady Mustangs and Selma Regalado will lead the Lady Mus-tangs in 2016 while Donna HS Celeste Mata and the Lady Bravettes will compete in 32-5A for a playoff bid. (HSSMImages/Alec Amador)




a down-to-the-wire preview of what to expect on January 19th when both teams collide again. A win by the Pantherettes could mean a district title for Fino, or the Lady Raiders could end up as co-champions? The Lady Pantherettes have carried an impressive resume since 2011. They have won four straight district titles, including two UIL State Region IV Tournament appearances. Not bad, for a team that is located in the central part of the Rio Grande Valley with less population. In District 32-6A, Harlingen High School head coach Ashley

Moncivaiz took over a Lady Cardinal team last year as interim coach and led her team to a district title with a perfect 14-0 re-cord. The former Harlingen HS Lady Cardinal basketball player now enters her second season and the Lady Cardinals just keep getting better with a state-ranking of No.8 overall with a 18-1 record. Early season wins over Weslaco (65-41), Port Lavaca-Calhoun (57-45), and McAllen Memorial (78-51) seem to have these Lady Cards on track for a possible deep-playoff run in Class 6A. Their only blemish was a 58-29 loss to San Antonio

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High School Sports Magazine 31

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Pictured are Sarah Gonzalez, Desiree Hernandez, Melanie Arenas, Tatyana Epperson, Celeste Mata, Mercedes Castaneda, Daisy Rios,Alex Cantu, Ashlee Moreno, Laurynn Williams, Bridget Guillen, Aileen Garza, Edith Zuniga, and Stacy Lugo. Head coach is Kevin Kromer.


District 32-6A Brownsville Rivera High School Lady Raiders are coached by Willie Brown. The Lady Raiders have not made the playoffs since 2007. Pictured are Kourtney Shears, Ulyssa Alvara-do, Litzy Medina, Jenny Cardenas, Darcy Cardenas, Kassandra Garcia, Michelle Morales, Giselm Hinojosa, Jovi Garcia, Natalia Pereida, Mayte Gonzalez, Alexandra Gonzalez, and Monica Lamas. (HSSMImages/Alec Amador)

District 32-5A Playoff Drought. The Brownsville Porter Lady Cowgirls enter the 2015-16 season with playoff hopes. The last time the Lady Cowgirls made the playoffs was back in 2007. (HSSMImages/Alec Amador)



2015-16 HSSM BASKETBALL PREVIEWClark. Returning for the Lady Cards are ten seniors, two juniors, one sophomore, and four freshmen. Seniors Marissa Gasca, Addison Dickey, Sami Quilantan, and Elvira Fraga will lead the team in 2015-16. Quilantan averages 12.7 points a game and 4.9 rebounds, along with almost six steals per game. Dickey is also scor-ing in double figures with 11 points and seven rebounds. The Lady Cards will continue district play on January 5th against Los Fresnos followed by Brownsville Veterans Memorial on January 8th. Los Fresnos (2-0), Veterans Memo-rial (2-0), and Harlingen (3-0) lead District 32-6A. Last year, the PSJA North Lady Raiders ended their season ranked No.1 overall by High School Sports Magazine after ending their season in the UIL State 6A Region IV Quar-terfinals. The Lady Raiders were the only team that went three rounds deep before losing to 29-6A Laredo Alexander 62-46. To date, the Lady Raid-ers won the 1st Annual DQ’s Pack Brawl on the Border with wins over Brownsville Hanna (69-55), Roma (68-41), PSJA Memorial (40-30), La Joya Palmview (53-47), and Rio Hondo (59-41). At the Tom-mie Wiseman Tournament in La Feria the Lady Raiders defeated Raymondville (69-19), La Joya Juarez-Lincoln (56-26), Brownsville Rivera (55-32), and La Feria 58-50. Leading the Lady Raiders in 2015-16 are six seniors, five juniors, two sophomores, and one freshmen. Senior Arianna Medrano has found some early success with 14.0 ppg, 4.0 rebounds, and four assists. Teammate Isabel Palacios leads the all scor-ers with 22 points and eight rebounds and six steals. Most teams know that the Lady Raiders like shooting three-pointers. Something Bocanegra


District 32-5A PSJA High School Lady Bears are currently in first place with an overall record of 7-11. Pic-tured are Ashley Pecina, Mariah West, Sara Jo Hernandez, Brianna Bazan, Jackie Cano, Erin Castaneda, Dionne Villarreal, Elisa Gracia, Bekah Trevino, Teresa Rodriguez, Reanna Rocha, Darianna Galvan, and Taylor Calderon. Head coach is Iris Garza. (HSSMImages/Alec Amador)

Defending District 31-6A Champions, PSJA North High School Lady Raiders are currently in third place with an overall record of 17-1. Pictured are Sarah Serrano, Angela Ochoa, Mellie Palacios, Ashlyn Cas-tillo, Toni Acevedo, Stephanie Crispin, Vanessa Maldonado, Crystal Ibarra, Arianna Medrano, Ashia De La Garza, Isabel Palacios, Amanda Villegas, Alexia Neal, and Kara Ramirez. Head coach is Randy Bocanegra. The Lady Raiders advanced to the Class 6A Region IV Regional Qtrs in 2015. (HSSMImages/Alec Amador)


TOP TEN POLLS

GIRLSBasketballAs of December 26, 2015

Class 6A1. Duncanville 16-02. Cibolo Steele 19-13. Waco Midway 14-14. North Shore 17-15. Amarillo 13-26. Cedar Hill 15-37. Dekaney 13-18. Harlingen 15-19. Clear Springs 12-410. Plano West 11-2

Class 5A 1. Canyon 11-02. Lumberton 18-03. John Tyler 14-14. Vista Ridge 14-25. Wichita F Rider 14-16. Frisco Liberty 11-37. Lufkin 15-08. Timberview 11-09. Hereford 12-210. San Angelo L 17-2

Class 4A1. Argyle 15-12. Navasota 16-03. Waco Conally 17-14. Wharton 13-05. Waco La Vega 13-26. Liberty Hill 16-07. Mexia 12-18. Sanger 14-19. Tatum 13-110. Ranchview 11-2

Class 3A1. Jarrell 15-02. Brock 12-13. Mathis 16-04. Winnsboro 12-25. Wall 11-36. Shallowater 12-27. SA Cole 21-28. Bowie 10-49. Sunnyvale 11-310. Central Hgts 10-2

Class 2A1. Weimar 12-02. LaPoyner 15-1

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Defending District 32-6A Champions, Harlingen High School Lady Cardinals are currently ranked 8th in Class 6A in the latest Texas HS Girls Coaches Association Top Ten Polls with an impressive 21-1 overall record. The Lady Cardinals are led by second-year head coach, Ashley Moncivaiz. The Lady Cardinals are picked by HSSM to return to the Class 6A Region IV Tournament in 2016. Harlingen will resume play on January 5th against Los Fresnos in a key showdown with both teams undefeated in district play. Lasy year, the Lady Cards went undefeated with a 16-0 record. Pictured is senior, Sami Quilantan from Harlingen going up against PSJA North Isabel Palacios in non-conference. (HSSMImages/Alec Amador)

2015-16 HSSM BASKETBALL PREVIEWprides himself with every sea-son. To date, the Lady Raiders have attempted 452 three-point shots with 129 made from downtown. Other teams looking for suc-cess in 2015-16 are Edinburg Economedes (8-8, 1-0) in

District 31-6A along with Ed-inburg and Edinburg North. In District 30-6A, the McAl-len Nikki Rowe Lady Warriors and McAllen Memorial Lady Mustangs could be the two teams that could contend for a district title. On the outside, La

Joya Palmview and Juarez-Lincoln could surprise as both are tied for third place early on with McAllen. In District 32-5A, PSJA and Mercedes are early frontrun-ners in the win column while Brownsville Pace and Ed-

couch-Elsa, along with Donna and Donna North could all contend for the final two play-off spots in 2016. And finally, District 31-5A we’ll see Rio Grande City, Sharyland, Roma, and Edinburg Vela as teams to watch.


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District 32-5A Mercedes High School Lady Tigers will compete for the title in 2016. Pictured is senior, Alyssa Marquez leading her team. (HSSMImages/Alec Amador)

District 32-5A Brownsville Pace High School Lady Vikings are currently in third place overall as the season begins. (HSSMImages/Alec Amador)

District 30-6A McAllen High School Lady Bulldogs are currently in fourth place. Pictured is sophomore, Brianna Coffee is hoping to lead her team to the playoffs. (HSSMImages/Alec Amador)





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2015 December Basketball Preview