2019 HSSM Baseball and Softball Preview!

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January-February 2019

High School Sports Magazine

GameDay TREY GUAJARDO PSJA HS

2019

MARCO SANCHEZ BROWNSVILLE HANNA HS

RAMSEY AMADOR EDINBURG VELA HS

PREVIEW GD

THE POLLS

INSIDE!

B A S E B A L L &S O F T B A L L

Brittney Loredo Hope Gonzalez Economedes HS

High School Sports Magazine

Birklebach Stadium is the site of the UIL State Soccer Tournament April 17-20, 2019. (HSSMImages)

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High School Sports Magazine

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Baseball Preview

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January-February 2019

20 Basketball

Softball

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High School Sports Magazine

Rio Grande Valley

The Los Fresnos Falcons ended their season as the State 6A Region IV Quarterfinalist under head coach Rene Morales. The Falcons will be favored to win the District 32-6A title in2 019. (HSSMImages)

Baseball Preview (Los Fresnos, Tx)-The Falcons will be flying higher in 2019 as they return six starters from last season’s 11-3 District 32-6A record. Players to watch are Tony

Gallegos at catcher along with Carlos Perez (SS/3B), Johnny Cadengo (first team all-district), Sebastian Ledezma (2B all-district), Ian Danielson (DH .333), and

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High School Sports Magazine

Gallegos at catcher along with Carlos Perez (SS/3B), Johnny Cadengo (first team alldistrict), Sebastian Ledezma (2B all-district), Ian Danielson (DH .333), and Victor Loa, a sophomore pitcher, who finished 6-2 last year as a freshmen.

Last year, the Brownsville Rivera Raiders missed the playoffs after having to forfeit games because of ineligible players listed on the roster. The Raiders will be another team to watch in 32-6A with returning lettermen Jose Hernandez (1B), Allen Equia (OF/P), Omar Rodriguez (2B/3B), Michael Gomez (32-6A defensive player of the year), Ricky Ibarra (C), and Raul Gonzalez (OF/P).

Other teams to watch are the Brownsville Hanna Eagles (23-7-1, 11-3), who finished as Tri-District 32-6A champions. Returning are Marco Sanchez at catcher, a possible Division I recruit, along with Marco Martinez, a junior left-handed pitcher. The Eagles will be tested early on as they try to find a pitching staff that can lead them in district play this season. With only six teams

2018 Results

Dell Diamond-Dish-Falk Field Round Rock-Austin, Texas

State Baseball Tournament 1A Semifinals Fayetteville defeats Abbott 11-7 Slocum defeats New Home 8-7 1A Championships Slocum defeats Fayetteville 6-3 2A Semifinals Dallardsville Big Sandy defeats New Deal 3-2 Muenster defeats Woden 2-0 2A Championships Big Sandy defeats Muenster 13-3

4A Semifinals Argyle defeats Jasper 14-4 Sweeney defeats Godley 3-0 4A Championships Argyle defeats Sweeney 5-0 5A Semifinals Northwest Eaton defeats Humble Kingwood 3-2 (8 innings) Forney defeats CC Veterans Memorial 3-1 5A Championships Northwest Eaton defeats Forney 4-1

3A Semifinals Clifton defeats Georgetown Gateway HS 5-2 Beckville defeats Brock 4-0

6A Semifinals Southlake Carroll 3 defeats The Woodlands 1 San Antonio Reagan 5 defeats Cypress Ranch 1

3A Championships Beckville defeats Clifton 5-4

6A Championships Southlake defeats SA Reagan 7-2

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High School Sports Magazine

competing in 32-6A, San Benito, Harlingen, and Harlingen South will challenged early on; the Cardinals made the playoffs last year with a 7-7 record.

In District 31-6A, the new realignments pits all four Edinburg CISD schools with the Weslaco East, Weslaco, and Donna North High Schools.

The Edinburg Vela High School Sabercats, ranked No.1 in the HSSM Pre-Season polls will be loaded with plenty of talent, after advancing to the UIL State 6A Region IV Semifinals under head coach Jaime Perez.

Perez says, “we need to remain focused on our games early on.” The Sabercats returns UTRGV signee, 6’2 Ramsey Amador (SS/P, .484 8 HR, 36 RBI), Kansas State signee, 6’2 Nico Rodriguez (OF/P .389 5-1), catcher Jaime Perez Jr. (.377 Newcomer of the Year), Marc Esquivel (Sr. P/INF), Johnathan Navarro (OF/P), Eric Martinez (INF/DH), and Yulean Torrellas (Sr. INF .350). The Sabercats finished 13-1 in district play.

Moving into District 31-6A are the Weslaco Panthers and longtime head coach, Eddie Serna. With 378 career wins, all at Weslaco, Serna led his team to the

Defending 32-6A Champions! Brownsville Hanna willbe favored to win the title in 2019. The Eagles returns a line-up with plenty of experience. (HSSMImages)

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High School Sports Magazine

District 30-6A! The Mission Eagles advanced to the UIL State 6A Area Championships in 2018 and the Eagles will be favored to make the playoffs again. Pictured is JR Cortez celebrating with his team last year in the state playoffs. (HSSMImages)

32-6A Tri-District title in 2018. The Panthers returns six starters, including senior pitcher Jon Castillo (101, 1.63 ERA), along with sluggers Axel Camarena (.384 20 RBI 31 runs), Matt Calderon (.356 16 RBI 22 runs), Seth Sanchez (.316 17 RBI 19 Runs), and Raul Camarena (pitcher .378 36 RBI 23 Runs). The Panthers lost in the 6A Bi-District Championships.

Other teams to watch are the Edinburg North Cougars (2018 6A Bi-District Finalist), Edinburg HS, Edinburg Economedes, Weslaco East, and Donna North.

The Bobcats would love to earn a playoff spot in 2019 under head coach Robert Valdez. Players to watch are pitchers EJ Alanis, Manny Cantu, Jorge Salinas, and Johnathon Gonzalez. Outfielders Adan Adame, and Nathan Ochoa will both bring plenty of defense.

Last year, the 30-6A McAllen Bulldogs gained the No.1 ranking in the Texas HS Baseball Coaches poll and head coach Eliseo Pompa led his Bulldogs to the perfect season in 30-6A along with playoff wins against Laredo United, PSJA, before losing to Laredo Alexander in three games (1-3, 11-0, 1-2).

Returning for the Bulldogs are 6A All-State pitcher/ INF Aaron Nixon (.440, 8-2, 0.82 ERA, 104 SO), Hector Garcia (1B/pitcher 2-0, .397), Chris Bernal

(C/P), Gibby Mata (P/SS/3B), Elijia West (1B/DH), Jacob Vela (OF), and JC Alaniz. The Bulldogs will be young on the mound and they will rely heavily on Nixon.

Teams to watch are McAllen Nikki Rowe, La Joya HS, Mission, and La Joya Juarez-Lincoln. Moving into District 30-6A are the PSJA North Raiders and PSJA Bears.

District 30-6A will feature six teams that all made Class 6A playoff appearances. Eight teams make up this newly, realigned District 30-6A. The Warriors (14-12, 7-5) lost to Laredo Alexander in a heartbreaking 2-0 bi-district loss. Head coach Adrian Leal will lead his team with returning lettermen Jonas Ortiz, Antonio Martinez, Issac Gallegos, and Lorenzo Lopez, all pitchers.

The PSJA Bears, 6A Area Finalists, are loaded with plenty of returning lettermen. Seven to be exact. Leading the team are Trey Guajardo, a UTRGV signee, along with Juan Zambrano (2B .413 31 runs), Devon De Leon (.541, 4 HR, 35 RBI), Cesar Cantu (.284 16 RBI), Ezequiel Marroquin, (P 6-2 2.14 ERA), Ariben Gutierrez (.395 26 RBI), and Jacob Sanchez (.377 21 RBI).

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Edinburg Vela HS Sabercats Numero Uno! Ramsey Amador, University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros signee will lead his Sabercats this season in District 31-6A. (HSSMImages)

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High School Sports Magazine

Three-Time District 30-6A Champions! The McAllen High School Bulldogs are currently ranked No.11 by the Texas High School Baseball Coaches Association will be favored to make the playoffs in 2019. (HSSMIMages/Special)

Another 30-6A team to watch will be the Mission Eagles, last season’s Class 6A Area finalists.

The Eagles finished 2018 with plenty of hype after their 8-4 District 30-6A season. Returning are ten players including Israel Cortez (.251 8 RBI), Zoy Hernandez (.333 7 RBI), Ines Mendiola (OF .288 8 RBI), Juan Garza (C/1B .405 27 RBI), Eddie Rodriguez (P .363 28 RBI), Andy Martinez (P .510 30 RBI), Rick Elizondo (P/3B .249 4-2), Yayo Cardoza (C/1B .266 18 RBI), Jacob Salinas (OF), and Steve Villarreal (SS .402 24 RBI, 3 HR).

The La Joya Coyotes also advanced to the UIL State 6A Bi-District Championships before losing to 29-6A Eagle Pass 0-7, 0-11. The Coyotes and third-year head coach Mario Flores will return Edward Moreno (OF), Elias Morales (OF/INF), JR Rodriguez (P/OF), Adan Garcia (INF), and Anthony Pena (SS).

District 30-6A will probably be one the most competitive districts in the state of Texas and with teams like PSJA North, McAllen Memorial, and La Joya Juarez-Lincoln in the mixed, it could get interesting.

2018 Results

State Baseball Playoffs Class 6A Bi-District Los Fresnos defeats Edinburg North 5-4, 4-5, 11-2 Mission defeats SA Southwest 1-3, 3-8 Edinburg Vela defeats Harlingen 10-0, 10-2 Eagle Pass defeats La Joya 7-0, 11-10 McAllen defeats Laredo United 6-3, 1-5, 2-1 PSJA defeats Weslaco 4-0, 1-2, 8-0 Laredo Alexander defeats Rowe 2-0 Brownsville Hanna defeats PSJA North 9-5, 8-4

Class 5A Bi-District Sharyland Pioneer defeats Bro Veterans 7-6, 1-9, 10-0 Valley View defeats Bro Pace 19-6, 10-0 Sharyland defeats Ed-Elsa 1-2, 6-4, 10-4 Rio Grande City defeats Bro Lopez 3-4, 5-1, 13-2

Class 6A Area Championships Los Fresnos defeats Mission 12-5, 9-3, 2-12 Edinburg Vela defeats Eagle Pass 5-3, 8-4 McAllen defeats PSJA 10-3, 2-12, 3-1 Laredo Alexander defeats Hanna 8-2, 6-1

Class 4A Bi-District Robstown defeats Port Isabel 8-0, 9-1 Orange Grover defeats Zapata 6-4 Sinton defeats Raymondville 4-3, 11-1 Kingsville defeats Grulla 3-2

Class 6A Region IV Qtrs Edinburg Vela defeats Los Fresnos 4-5, 12-7, 4-3 Laredo Alexander defeats McAllen 3-1, 0-11, 2-1 Class 6A Region IV Semifinals SA Churchill defeats Edinburg Vela 7-3, 9-2CC Carroll defeats Rio Grande City 7-2, 6-3

Class 5A Area Championships CC Veterans defeats Pioneer 0-2, 5-2, 17-0 CC King defeats Valley View 2-1, 0-10, 6-0 CC Carroll defeats Rio Grande City 7-2, 6-3

Class 3A Bi-District Santa Gertrudis defeats Santa Rosa 4-1, 2-4, 8-7 Falfurrias defeats Monte Alto 17-1, 16-2 Banquete defeats Lyford 10-5, 12-0 Class 2A Bi-District No RGV Teams Class 1A Bi-District No RGV Teams

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TEXAS HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL COACHES ASSOCIATION 2019 PRE-SEASON POLLS Class 4A Polls

Class 1A Polls

1. D’Hanis 2. Abbott 3. New Home 4. Fayetteville 5. Avalon 6. Ira 7. Dodd City 8. Nazareth 9. Saint Jo 10. Springlake Earth

Class 2A Polls 1. Big Sandy 2. Muenster 3. Gruver 4. Refugio 5. Douglass 6. Shelbyville 7. Woden 8. Shiner 9. Riesel 10. Windthorst

1. Georgetown Gateway 2. Brock 3. Central Heights 4. Clifton 5. Wall 6. Halletsville 7. White Oak 8. Kirbyville 9. Denver City 10. Bushland

2018 TSWA ALL-STATE SELECTIONS Class 6A (Texas Sports Writers Association) 1B-Abanny Garcia, McAllen HS (1st Team) 2B-Andy Martinez, Mission (1st Team) OF Rigo Moreno, McAllen (2nd Team) OF Aaron Galvan, Edinburg Vela (2nd Team) 6A Honorable Mentions P Abanny Garcia,McAllen P/SS Aaron Nixon, McAllen P Victor Montemayor, Los Fresnos Class 5A C Emmanuel Garza, RGC (3rd Team) 5A Honorable Mentions 1B Jarren Garcia, Ed-Elsa HS OF Pepe Contreras, Sharyland OF Jonathan Lugo, Pioneer HS 4A Honorable Mentions Cross Gonzalez, Rio Hondo HS

Class 5A Polls

1. Argyle 2. Sweeny 3. Pleasant Grove 4. Robinson 5. Bridge City 6. Canton 7. Salado 8. Iowa Park 9. Levelland 10. Cuero

Class 3A Polls

1. Colleyville Heritage 2. CC Veterans 3. College Station 4. Texas High 5. CC King 6. Brenham 7. Cleburne 8. Amarillo 9. Kingwood Park 10. Frisco Wakeland 11. Tomball 12. Calallen

Class 6A Polls

1. Cy Ranch 2. Austin Lake Travis 3. Keller 4. Humble Kingwood 5. SA Reagan 6. The Woodlands 7. Southlake Carroll 8. Cy Fair 9. Atascocita 10. Flower Mound Marcus 11. McAllen 12. FB Ridgepoint

2019 UIL District by District Realignments District 30-6A LJ Juarez-Lincoln La Joya HS PSJA North PSJA Mission McAllen McAllen Memorial McAllen Nikki Rowe

District 31-6A Weslaco Weslaco East Donna North Edinburg Edinburg North Edinburg Economedes Edinburg Vela

District 32-6A Brownsville Hanna Brownsville Rivera Harlingen Harlingen South San Benito Los Fresnos

District 32-2A Lasara San Perlita Premont La Villa Bruni Benavides Ben Bolt Riviera Freer

District 32-3A Bro Riverview IDEA Monte Alto Santa Rosa Edinburg IDEA Lyford

District 32-4A Rio Hondo Progreso Port Isabel La Feria Hidalgo Zapata Grulla Raymondville

District 31-5A Roma Sharyland Pioneer Rio Grande City La Joya Palmview PSJA Southwest PSJA Memorial Mission Veterans District 32-5A Brownsville Lopez Brownsville Pace Brownsville Porter Brownsville Veterans Donna Edcouch-Elsa Mercedes Valley View

agua sUD Backs the Pack!

Best of Luck to All Athletes for a Winning Season!

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Roger Hernandez President County Place 3

Cesar Rodriguez, Jr. Vice-President City of Mission

Esequiel Ortiz, Jr. Secretary City of Palmview

Lloyd A. Loya Treasurer City of Peñitas

Ivan Sandoval Director City of Sullivan City

Adolfo Arriaga Director City of La Joya

Homero Tijerina Director County Place 1

Eddie Saenz, P.E. General Manager & Agua SUD Employees

HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS MAGAZINE

www.LaJoyaISD.com La Joya ISD Superintendent Dr. Alda T. Benavides La Joya ISD School Board Armin Garza-President Claudia Ochoa-Vice-President Alex Cantu-Secretary JJ Pena-Member John Alaniz-Member Frances Salinas-Member Oscar Salinas-Member

La Joya ISD Athletic Director Alex Guajardo 956.323.2031 La Joya High School Principal Antonio Cano La Joya Palmview Principal Yvonne Ayala La Joya Juarez-Lincoln Principal Ricardo Estrada

Good Luck to Our Girls Soccer Teams!

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2019 La Joya JUAREZ-LINCOLN HS Girls Soccer Team

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2019 La Joya HS LADY COYOTES HS Girls Soccer Team

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Building Champions!

Head Coach Samantha Arciba 1st Season

Softball

Lady Jaguars!

Jags Team Roster Albert Guerra Trini Moreno Johnathan Martinez Angel Salinas Michael Barrientos Johnathan Barrientos Saul Alaniz Raphael Arenas Alejandro Garza Ricardo Chapa

31-6AAAAAA

Head Coach Carlos Ramos 25-7 Season Record 10-2 District Record Dr. Rene Gutierrez ECISD Superintendent Jesus Mata Economedes HS Principal Gabe Pena Athletic Coordinator www.Economedes.ECISD.Us

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Basketball

Champions!

JEHS Johnny Economedes High School 1414 N. Alamo Road Edinburg, Texas 78541 956.289.2450

High School Sports Magazine

2019 Rio Grande Valley Girls

SOFTBALL PREVIEW

(Edcouch, Tx)-The 32-5A Edcouch-Elsa High School Lady Jackets have made the playoffs for the past four seasons, winning three 5A Bi-District titles under 4thyear head softball coach, Ruth Torres. “We just need

to improve throughout the season in order to take that next step,” says Torres. Under Torres, the 2015 Lady Jackets defeated Edinburg Vela in the Class 5A BiDistrict Championships but, lost to the Lady Sabercats

2018 Class 5A Bi-District Champions! The EdcouchElsa Lady Jackets defeated Sharyland Pioneer 7-6, 5-15, 15-5. The Lady Jackets will be favored to make another playoff run in 2019. Pictured are l-r Kailey Gonzales, Nathalie Lopez, Samantha Saenz, and Sara Sumbillo.

(HSSMIMages/Special)

District 32-2A Lasara San Perlita Premont La Villa Bruni Riviera District 32-3A Bro Riverview IDEA Monte Alto Santa Rosa Edinburg IDEA Lyford

2019 UIL District by District Softball Realignments District 32-4A Rio Hondo Progreso Port Isabel La Feria Hidalgo Zapata Grulla Raymondville

District 32-5A Bro Lopez Bro Pace Bro Porter Bro Veterans Donna Edcouch-Elsa Mercedes Valley View

District 31-5A Roma Sharyland Pioneer Rio Grande City LJ Palmview PSouthwest PSJA Memorial MissVeterans

District 30-6A LJ Juarez-Lincoln La Joya HS PSJA North PSJA Mission McAllen McA Memorial McA Rowe

District 31-6A Weslaco Weslaco East Donna North Edinburg Edinburg North Ed Economedes Edinburg Vela

District 32-6A Brownsville Hanna Brownsville Rivera Harlingen Harlingen South San Benito Los Fresnos

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in 2016 in the first round.

The Lady Jackets bounced back in 2017, and defeated Rio Grande City and again, in 2018, the Lady Jackets defeated Sharyland Pioneer to win two more bidistrict titles. Still, Torres says that her team needs to work harder to get past

Softball Preview 2019

the UIL State 5A Region IV second round. “Its not an easy task, but our team wants to make that happen this season,� says Torres. The Lady Jackets ended their playoff run in the second round against Calallen, losing 11-5, 10-0.

The University Interscholastic League Soft-

ball playoffs will begin April 27th with the UIL State Tournament set for May 29-June 1st in Austin, Texas at the Red and Charline McCombs Field and the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor Complex.

Last year, in Class 6A, Humble Atascocita won the title along with

New Lady Jaguars! The Edinburg Economedes HS Lady Jaguars softball team will be lookingfor a playoff spot under first-year head coach, Samantha Arciba. Pictured l-r are Sabrina Garcia, Gerrie Ortiz, Hope Gonzalez, and Aylssa Perez. (HSSMIMages/Special)

2019 La Feria Lady Lionettes! The 32-4A La Feria HS Lionettes will be looking for its first playoff berth in 2019 under first-year head coach Darryl Gonzales. (HSSMIMages/Special)

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Forney HS in Class 5A, followed by Liberty (4A), Santa Gertrudis Academy (3A), Bells HS (2A), and Slocum High School in Class 1A. From South Texas-Rio Grande Valley, the Edinburg Vela Lady Sabercats advanced to the Class 6A Region IV semifinals for the first-time in school history, along with San Benito High School. Both teams were ousted in the Sweet 16 rounds. In Class 5A, Brownsville Veterans lost to Corpus Christi Carroll in a two-game sweep in the third round.

The last time a softball team from the Rio Grande Valley advanced to the UIL State Softball Tournament was in 2016 with the Weslaco Lady Panthers losing to Pearland 4-0 in the semifinals.

The 32-6A defending champions, San Benito Greyhounds, also made two trips to the state tournament in 2013 and 2015 and lost to Lewisville 3-2 in the semifinals in 2015. The Lady Greyhounds faced Lewisville in 2013, to become the first Rio Grande Valley team to advance to the state tournament. The Lady Greyhounds would eventually fall to the state champions, Lewisville Lady Farmers 5-2 in the semifinals. No other team from the Rio Grande Valley had come closer.

In District 32-6A, with the new realignments, six

Softball Preview 2019 2018 Results

State Softball Playoffs Class 6A Bi-District San Benito defeats Edinburg North 10-0 SA Southwest defeats McAllen Memorial 16-0, 16-0 Edinburg defeats Weslaco East 12-1, 15-5 Eagle Pass defeats McAllen Rowe 5-6, 11-1, 13-2 La Alexander defeats La Joya 2-1 Edinburg Vela defeats Weslaco 4-5, 12-3, 9-1 South San Antonio defeats McAllen 18-1, 13-3 Harlingen South defeats PSJA Memorial 7-5, 6-11, 7-6 Class 6A Area Championships San Benito defeats SA Southwest 3-2, 10-4, 0-3 Eagle Pass defeats Edinburg 11-7, 2-8, 7-6 Edinburg Vela defeats Laredo Alexander 5-0, 9-3 Harlingen South defeats South San Antonio 6-5

New Season! The 32-5A Brownsville Lopez HS Lady Lobos will be much improved with Alex Castro returning on the mound. The Lady Lobos lost to 31-5A Mission Veterans in the Class 5A Bi-District playoffs in 2018.

(HSSMIMages/Special)

Class 6A Region IV Qtrs Canyon defeats SA Holmes 12-0 San Benito defeats Eagle Pass 10-3, 5-4 SA O’Connor defeats SA Warren 5-2, 6-3 EdinburgVela defeats Harlingen South 5-3

Class 5A Bi-District Bro Veterans defeats Cigarroa 19-0, 17-1 Mission Veterans defeats Bro Lopez 6-5, 12-3 Ed-Elsa defeats Pioneer 2-1 Mercedes defeats Rio Grande City 12-1, 13-0 Class 5A Area Championships Bro Veterans defeats GPortland 5-3, 5-3 Calallen defeats Ed-Elsa 11-5, 10-0 Flour Bluff defeats Mercedes Class 5A Region IV Qtrs CC Carroll defeats Brownsville Veterans 4-0, 1-0 Class 4A Bi-District Rio Hondo defeats Robstown 13-4, 20-0 Orange Grove defeats Raymondville 9-2 Rockport-Fulton defeats Port Isabel 7-1 Sinton defeats Zapata 8-0 Class 3A Bi-District Banquete defeats Lyford 2-3, 12-7, 6-1 Santa Gertrudis defeats IDEA Quest 19-0 Bishop defeats Santa Rosa 13-0 Falfurrias defeats Monte Alto 10-3 Class 2A Bi-District Three Rivers defeats La Villa 6-0, 16-5

Class 6A Region IV Semifinals Canyon defeats San Benito 10-0 SA Warren defeats Edinburg Vela 4-1, 4-3

Class 1A Bi-District No RGV Teams

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Valley View HS Principal Jesus Garza

DISTRICT 32-5A Division

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2019 Valley View Lady Tigers

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Valley View HS Head Softball Coach Nery Bustos 2nd Season

Softball Preview 2019

District 31-6A Hopefuls!

The Donna North Lady Chiefs and head coach Chris Olivarez will compete in a new district in 2019.

The Brownsville Pace High School Viqueens, coached

by Boris Vega will be favored to make the playoffs in 2019. (HSSMIMages/Special)

2018 All-State Softball Selections Class 6A P Audrey Escamilla Weslaco (2nd Team) 3B Natalie Rodriguez Edinburg North (2nd Team) P Naomi Reyes, Edinburg Vela (3rd Team) P Kaitlynn De la Fuente, Harlingen South (3rd Team) Class 5A Honorable Mentions P Mia Anzaldua, Bro Veterans OF Cassie Valdez, Bro Veterans Class 4A OF Abbie Torres Rio Hondo (1st Team) OF Bianca Cruz Rio Hondo (2nd Team) 1B April Adames Rio Hondo (3rd Team)

teams will compete for the title. Teams to watch are Brownsville Hanna, Harlingen South, San Benito, and Los Fresnos.

The Lady Greyhounds are the defending champions.

The Harlingen South Lady Hawks finished District 32-6A as the runnerups but, in the state playoffs, the Lady Hawks

flew past PSJA Memorial in the bi-district championships followed by another playoff win over South San Antonio in a one-game playoff series, winning 6-5. The Lady Hawks would eventually fall to 31-6A runner-ups, Edinburg Vela 5-3 in the area championships.

Moving over to Dis-

3025 South Sugar Road Edinburg, Texas 78539 956-259-8005

Page 17

trict 31-6A, Weslaco and Weslaco East, along with Donna North, will play four Edinburg

Softball Preview 2019

CISD schools after the UIL realigned all districts last February.

The Lady Panthers will tangle with powerhouses

Edinburg, Edinburg North, and Edinburg Vela High Schools. Another team to watch will be the Lady Jaguars from

2018 Results State Softball

Tournament Red & Charline McCombs Austin, Texas

1A Semifinals Ector defeats Gail Borden 5-1 Elkhart deefats D’Hanis 3-0 1A Championships Slocum defeats Ector 3-0 2A Semifinals Normangee defeats Woden 8-7 Bells defeats Albany 13-0 2A Championships Bells defeats Normangee 9-5

2019 Grulla High School Lady Gators! The 32-4A Grulla High School Lady Gators will be looking for its first playoff berth in 2019 under fifth-year head coach Ali Gonzalez.

(HSSMIMages/Special)

3A Semifinals Hughes Springs defeats Grandview 5-2 Santa Gertrudis Academy defeats Brock 5-0 3A Championships SG Academy defeats Hughes 8-3 4A Semifinals Liberty defeats Beeville Jones 1-0 Vernon defeats Rains 6-2 4A Championships Liberty defeats Vernon 3-1 5A Semifinals Richmond Foster defeats FW Arlington Heights 8-1 Forney defeats Mont Belvieu Barbers Hill 3-0 5A Championships Forney defeats Foster 4-1

Go Huskies! The 30-6A La Joya Juarez-Lincoln Lady Huskies will be in the hunt for its first-ever UIL Softball playoff berth in 2019. Pictured are Kassandra Jimenez, Priscilla Rodriguez, Ashley Silva, Liz Morones, Natalie Garcia, Yatana Peralta, Melanie Molina, Yanira Perez, Sammy Villarreal, Nacy Aviles, Ericka Hernandez, Geraldine Garcia, Jessyca Alvarez, and Narda Meza. (HSSMIMages/Special)

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6A Semifinals Comal Canyon defeats Conroe Oak Ridge 8-1 Atascocita defeats Plano 4-2 6A Championships Atascocita defeats Comal 5-3

Edinburg Economedes.

First-year head coach for the Lady Jags, Samantha Arciba

Softball Preview 2019

takes over the program with plenty of expectations. The former Edinburg High School standout helped lead her

Lady Bobcats to three UIL State Softball Regional Semifinals. “We have high expectations and these players are

Ready for 2019! The 31-5A La Joya Palmview Lady Lobos will be much improved and have set their sights on a playoff run. The Lady Lobos wil be looking for its first-ever playoff berth in school history (HSSMIMages/Special)

Go Lady Pirates! The 32-4A Hidalgo Early College HS Lady Pirates hopes to make the playoffs in 2019. (HSSMIMages/Special)

dedicated,” adds Arciba.

“We just have to build a program with a winning attitude.”

District 30-6A frontrunners will be McAllen, McAllen Nikki Rowe, La Joya, and newcomer to the district, PSJA North.

McAllen Memorial will be in the mix for a playoff spot. Lady Bulldogs head softball coach, Ruth Garcia, feels that her team has “worked hard” in the offseason and she feels they will make another playoff run.

In District 32-5A and 31-5A, Brownsville Veterans Memorial High School, Brownsville Lopez, Brownsville Pace, all look like teams to beat but, then again, all three schools will have to contend with Mercedes, Edcouch-Elsa, Donna, and even, Valley View High School.

In District 32-4A, La Feria will try to rebound from missing the playoffs last year and this year, the Lady Lionettes will be much improved. Teams to watch are the Rio Hondo HS Lady Bobcats along with Port Isabel, Raymondville, and Grulla.

Zapata is always a contender when it comes to playoff time.

In Class 3A, the 32-3A Santa Rosa Lady Warriors could make another district title run while in District 32-2A, six teams will try to win the title.

Page 19

Basketball Playoffs 2019

University Interscholastic League Boys

Basketball Playoffs Begins

(McAllen, Texas)-The UIL State Boys Basketball playoffs begins this week with every high school team setting their sights on the UIL State Tournament to be played in San Antonio,

Texas at the Alamodome once again. The state tournament is set to tip-off on March 7th-9th.

The PSJA North Raiders will face 29-6A Laredo Alexander after finishing in

second place in District 306A. The winner will meet 32-6A Harlingen or 31-6A champiom, Economedes in the Class 6A Area Championships this weekend.

The McAllen Bulldogs

will travel to Zapata High School and will play 29-6A Laredo Nixon at 7:00 p.m.

0n Tuesday night. Topranked Nikki Rowe will play Laredo United South at CC Carroll HS.

Go Raiders! Go Cards! PSJA North Raiders head coach Jaime Gongora will lead his team against Laredo Alexander on Tuesday night while Harlingen host Weslaco. (HSSMIMages)

agent

Good Luck to Gators & Rattlers!

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206 North Flores Street Rio Grande City, Texas 956-487-4848

Basketball Playoffs 2019

February 18th

University Interscholastic League

Bi-District Championships Class 6A Laredo United at Mission High, 7 p.m.

Class 5A Sharyland Pioneer vs.

Brownsville Pace at La Feria High, 7 p.m.

Rio Grande City vs. Edcouch-Elsa at PSJA High, 7 p.m.

February 19th Class 6A Weslaco High at Harlingen High, 7 p.m.

McAllen High vs. Laredo Nixon at Zapata High, 7 p.m.

McAllen Rowe vs. Laredo United South at Corpus Christi Carroll, 7 p.m.

Edinburg Vela at Brownsville Hanna, 7:30 p.m.

Go Bulldogs! Jackson Helmcamp will lead 30-6A McAllen against Laredo Nixon at Zapata HS on Tuesday night while McAllen Nikki Rowe will travel to play Laredo United South in CC Carroll HS. (HSSMIMages)

Harlingen South at Edinburg Economedes, 7:30 p.m.

Edinburg High at Los Fres-

nos, 7:30 p.m.

PSJA North vs. Laredo Alexander at Roma High, 7:30 p.m.

Class 5A Mercedes at PSJA Southwest, 7 p.m.

Brownsville Veterans at Mission Veterans, 7 p.m.

Class 4A Zapata vs. Rockport-Fulton at Alice High, 6 p.m.

Hidalgo vs. Kingsville King at Harlingen South, 7 p.m.

Corpus Christi West Oso at La Feria, 7 p.m.

Port Isabel vs. Sinton at Alice High, 8 p.m.

Class 3A Lyford vs. Bishop at Raymondville High, 6 p.m.

Santa Rosa vs. Falfurrias at Texas A&M-Kingsville, 7:30 p.m.

Class 2A San Isidro vs. Agua Dulce at Riviera Kaufer High, 7 p.m.

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High School Sports Magazine

La Joya Juarez-Lincoln, McAllen, Brownsville Pace, Team

SOCCER HIGH (McAllen, Texas)-Last season was a banner year for soccer teams from the Rio Grande Valley. Three teams advanced to Birkelbach Field, site of the University Interscholastic League’s Soccer Championships in Georgetown.

In girls play, the McAllen High School Lady Bulldogs advanced to the UIL State Soccer Semifinals for the first-time in school history under head coach, Pat

Arney. “This is incredible. To be here in Georgetown, it’s just amazing,” Arney told HSSM. The Lady Bulldogs lost to Houston Memorial 2-0 in the UIL State 6A Semifinals, but, for Arney, it was a moment that he will never forget and hopefully, he will lead his Lady Bulldogs back in 2019. “We’ll be back,” says Arney.

The La Joya Juarez-Lincoln Lady Huskies, ranked No.4 in the State 6A polls by the Texas HS Girls

District 30-6A Standings 1. McAllen 12-2-3, 5-0 2. LJ Juarez Lincoln 12-1, 4-1 2. McAllen Memorial 11-1, 3-1 4. Nikki Rowe 10-4-1, 4-2 5. PSJA North 9-6-3, 2-3 6. Mission 1-7, 1-4 7. PSJA 0-6-2, 0-3 7. La Joya 1-7-1, 0-5

District 32-6A Standings 1. Los Fresnos 10-2-3, 6-0 2. Har South 14-3, 3-2 2. Bro Hanna 10-5-1, 3-2 2. Harlingen 8-2-1, 2-2 5. Bro Rivera 3-4-1, 0-3 5. San Benito 0-8, 0-5

District 31-6A Standings 1. Edinburg North 6-3, 1-0 1. Weslaco 4-5-1, 1-0 3. Edinburg Vela 8-5, 1-1 4. Economedes 1-4, 0-2 4. Donna North 1-5-3, 0-2 4. Edinburg 1-5, 0-2 4. Weslaco East 0-5-1, 0-2

District 32-5A Standings 1. Bro Porter 5-4, 3-0 2. Bro Pace 16-6-3, 5-1 2. Ed-Elsa 3-3, 2-1 4. Bro Veterans 15-3-3, 3-3 5. Bro Lopez 2-3-2, 1-2 6. Donna 6-5-2, 2-4 7. Mercedes 1-9-1, 0-3 7. Valley View 0-4, 0-2

Texas Girls Coaches Association State 6A Ranked No.4! The La Joya Juarez-Lincoln Lady Huskies will be favored to contend for the 30-6A title in 2019. This is the highest ranking the Lady Huskies has achieved in school history.

(HSSMIMages/Special)

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ms To Beat

High School Sports Magazine

HLIGHTS

Coaches Association, knows that the Lady Bulldogs will be favored to win the 30-6A title again. “They are tough and well coached,� says Huskies head coach, Ricardo Garza. The Lady Huskies are off to a fast 12-1 start, and last week, the Lady Huskies met up with the defending 6A Regional Champions, McAllen and lost 3-0 in a shutout. Here are the standings for the 2019 the 2019 season with the top four teams advancing.

District 31-5A Standings 1. Pioneer 6-1-2, 2-0-1 2. Roma 9-8-1, 5-1 2. PSJA Mem 5-7-2, 3-1-1 4. Sharyland 2-8-1, 1-2 5. LJ Palmview 1-2, 0-2 6. PSJA SW 2-6, 0-2 7. RGC 0-7, 0-3

District 32-4A Standings 1. La Feria 13-6-1, 6-0 2. Lyford 3-2, 3-1 2. Monte Alto 5-7, 3-3 4. Port Isabel 1-5, 1-2 5. Rio Hondo 0-4, 0-2 6. IDEA Frontier 0-2, 0-2 7. IDEA Riverview 0-1, 0-1 8. Raymondville 0-4, 0-2

2018 Results

Birkelbach Field-Georgetown, Tx

State Soccer Boys & Girls

4A Boys Semifinals San Elizario defeats Madisonville 3-0 Palestine defeats Progreso 2-1 4A Boys Championships San Elizario defeats Palestine 1-0 5A Boys Semifinals Frisco Wakeland defeats Valley View 3-1 Aledo defeats Houston Wisdom 1-0 5A Boys Championships Wakeland defeats Aledo 3-1 6A Boys Semifinals Alief Elsik defeats Irving 3-1 SA Reagan defeats Coppell 3-1 6A Boys Championships Alief Elsik defeats SA Reagan 1-0

4A Girls Semifinals Midlothian Hertiage defeats Liberty Hill 3-1 (SO) Jasper defeats Kilgore 1-0 4A Girls Championships Heritage defeats Kilgore 2-1 OT 5A Girls Semifinals Frisco Wakeland defeats Humble Kingwood Park 3-0 Grapevine defeats SA Alamo Heights 4-3 5A Girls Championships Frisco Wakeland defeats Grapevine 4-3 (SO 5-4) 6A Girls Semifinals Houston Memorial defeats McAllen 2-0 Lewisville Marcus defeats Katy Cinco Ranch 4-3 (SO 4-3) 6A Championships Houston Memorial defeats Lewisville Marcus 3-0

District 30-6A Champions! The McAllen High School Lady Bulldogs returns in 2019 with head coach Patrick Arney.

The Lady Bulldogs made history in 2018 by becoming the first soccer team from the Rio Grande Valley to advance to the UIL State Soccer Tournament in Georgetown, Texas. (HSSMIMages/Special)

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High School Sports Magazine

Top Ten Polls Girls Soccer

New Season! Donna HS Ready! The Donna High School Lady Bravettes will compete in District 32-5A with hopes of making the State 5A playoffs in 2019.

(HSSMIMages)

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Class 4A 1. Midlothian Heritage 12-1-3 2. Stephenville 13-0-1 3. Wimberley 14-1-1 4. Texarkana PG 9-1-0 5. Diamond Hill-Jarvis 9-0-1 6. Mineral Wells 12-2-1 7. Liberty Hill 10-1-2 8. Lufkin Hudson 10-2-1 9. Celina 8-1 10. Giddings 12-3-1 Class 5A 1. Burleson 11-0 2. Grapevine 12-1-2 3. Kingwood Park 13-1 4. Jacksonville 16-1 5. Royse City 8-0-3 6. Red Oak 15-1-1 7. Mansfield Legacy 12-0-1 8. El Paso Eastwood 12-0-2 9. Independence 11-1-1 10. El Paso Chapin 10-1 Class 6A 1. Katy Tompkins 13-0 2. El Paso Franklin 11-0 3. Denten Guyer 12-0-1 4. LJ Juarez-Lincoln 11-0 5. Southlake Carroll 12-1-1 6. WT White 13-0-1 7. SA Reagan 11-1-3 8. Houston Cypress Wood 14-1 9. McA Memorial 11-1-1 10. Austin Westlake 7-1 UIL State Soccer Championships Birkelbach Field-Georgetown April 17-19th

www.ElcoTx.com Good Luck to All RGV Football Teams.

High School Sports Magazine Go Lady Greyhounds. The San Benito High School Lady Greyhounds Soccer team will compete in District 32-6A, six team district. (HSSMIMages)

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