High School Sports Magazine-January 2008 Issue

Volume 3 Issue 6>>>

www.highschoolsportsmagazine.net

Dec. 29, 2007-Jan. 24, 2008

>>Game Schedules >>State Champions >>District Predictions Esteban Arriola

Who’s Really

Can Edinburg

No.1?

Win 31-5A?

PREVIEW 2007-08’ BASKETBALL

32-1A 32-2A 31-3A 32-3A 32-4A 30-5A 31-5A 32-5A

Daniel Ryan

Weslaco

Jaime Freeman

High Flyin’

HAWKS Favored?

J.J. Avila

McAllen H.S.

Title City?

Feel the VENOM! N B A DEVELOPMENTAL LEAGUE

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All students can register with a program advisor now through JAN 2. Returning students can register and pay online with WebAdvisor at my.tstc.edu through JAN 2 at NOON. All new students need to attend a New Student Orientation.

If you register on or before JAN 2, you must make payment arrangements by JAN 2 to avoid deregistration. If you register after JAN 2, please make payment arrangements immediately.

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Apply online at www.harlingen.tstc.edu/apply.

Apply for financial aid at www.fafsa.ed.gov.

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Registration Payment Day: JAN 2 | 9AM-3PM | Fieldhouse Arena Registration: JAN 3 | 8:30AM-7PM | Fieldhouse Last Day of Registration: JAN 4 | 9AM-5PM | Fieldhouse Spring Classes Begin: JAN 7

Volume 3 Issue 6 December 29, 2007 Publisher & CEO David A. Amador HSSM Sales Manager Brent Waters Chris LaRock Alec D. Amador HSSM Photographers Daniel Silva HSSM Webmaster Jason O. Martinez B.B.A., C.P.T. David R. Smith HSSM Columnists Emails hssmonline@yahoo.com Web www.highschoolsportsmagazine.net HSSM Online Photos www.hssm.photoreflect.com

Corporate Phone Number:

956.984.8871 Office 956-971-0185 Fx High School Sports Magazine 2416 Frontera Road McAllen, Texas 78504 All stories and photos published by High School Sports Magazine may not be reprinted without written premission. All stories may be submitted for consideration in the upcoming issues. High School Sports Magazine prints 13 issues annually beginning in August and ending in July. Mail all inquiries to: 2416 Frontera Road McAllen, Texas 78504

Copyright Protected 2008. a company of HSSMMedia Group L.L.C.

HSSM BASKETBALL PREVIEW 4

New Location Coming in 2008. Bigger and Better!

New Location: West Gate Drive, Old Kmart Building

Happy Holidays and a New Year!

HoopsDay www.texashighschoolsportsmagazine.com

4

Legends Made.

San Benito Head Coach Roy Garcia Still Loves the Game.

by David A. Amador

10 31-5A Dominates

RGV Valley Teams Enter District Play with hopes of winning a state title in 2008.

Vol 3 Issue 6 December 29, 2007

26 Going Somewhere?

Basketball Season. The Hidalgo Pirates will be favored to make the State 3A Playoffs in 2008 with their tough defense. (HSSM IMages/David A. Amador)

23 The Predictions

Hanna, Edinburg, McAllen Memorial Teams To Beat in their Districts? Can PSJA North win it?

24 State Champions

Can Dallas South Oak Cliff and Nazareth Make it three in a row in 2008?

RGV Vipers Have Fans Excited with Area Schools attending.

HSSMSPORTSTEAM

31 Inside Sports

Girls Can Jump Too. HSSM Columnist Jason Martinez talks about jumping techniques.

33 On the Sidelines

New Year Wishes. Maybe..Touchdown Dave Talks about the New Year in 2008.

Cover: RGV Viper Gabe Muoneke.

(HSSM IMages)

F E A T U R E S

32 NBA D-League

H.S. B A S K E T B A L L

AGING

WINE

San Benito Head Coach Roy Garcia lost his job at Mission as Athletic Director, then his wife of 35 years died. He says that God led him to the Greyhounds where he has found a new beginning.

B Y D A V I D A. A M A D O R This basketball legend still feels that he has game and he also thinks that he learns more from his players and younger coaches each time he steps on the court. “I’m still learning this game and after 37 years as a basketball coach, there is still so much to learn,” says the legendary coach.

Garcia coached many Mission High School basketball teams for a period of 30 years at Mission High School. “We were powerful and I was very demanding of my players back then,” added Garcia. Demanding enough that his Eagles made the playoffs at least 16 times and won more than 10 district titles. But that was then. Mission opted to release Garcia as their Athletic Director and head basketball coach in 2002.

At first, he thought that this would be his last hurrah. A few years later, he lost his beloved wife of 35 years, Angie to heart failure. “It was tough for me back then but God had a plan for me,” says Garcia. He applied at several schools and ironically, neither opportunity fell through until the San Benito Greyhounds filled his second destiny. “It’s amazing how God knows what plans he has for all of us. Here at San Benito High School I met my second wife, Dahlia and married her,” added Garcia.

Since then, he has led the Greyhounds to newer heights and expectations. Last year the Greyhounds won their first ever Bi-District Championship title against PSJA 57-41 and now he has made believers out these Greyhounds. “ I guess we age like wine,” says Garcia. He credits his assistant head coach Eddie Abrego for helping him make a smoother transition because Garcia says that his idol is Bobby Knight of the Texas Tech Red Raiders. “I like Bobby and his way of coaching because he emphasizes team play,” added Garcia. “As for my wife now, she will have to continue to put up with me and my love for this game.”

Veteran Coach Roy Garcia says one day he will get off the court. (HSSM Images) 2007 HSSM BASKETBALL PREVIEW 9

31-5A

2007-08 HSSM Basketball Preview

Dominates

Polls

(McAllen,Tx)-

The Harlingen South Hawks (17-3) looks like the (Story on next page)

TOP TEN >HSSM POLLS

1. Harlingen South 2. Edinburg 3. PSJA North 4. Brownsville Hanna 5. San Benito 6. McAllen Memorial 7. McAllen 8. Weslaco 9. Mercedes 10. Brownsville Pace

Ready for Playoff Run. The Harlingen South Hawks are the Top-Ranked team in South Texas. Pictured is head coach Brian Molina ready to lead his team back to the state playoffs. (HSSM IMages)

www.HSSMONLINE.net 10

825 Ed Carey Drive Harlingen 425-5400

1805 East Ruben Torres Brownsville 425-5400

2017 W. Exp 83 Weslaco 969-8630

2625 N. 23rd Ste 200 McAllen 682-6141

2002 N. Conway Mission 519-8389

Peyton Hayes

Devin Remmenga

Eli Perez

Oscar Garcia

Johnathon Chapa

Marty Guevarra

Esteban Arriola

team to beat in District 31-5A and head coach Brian Molina thinks that his Hawks could surprise Edinburg and PSJA North down the stretch.

Both Edinburg (12-2) and PSJA North (14-3) cracked the Top 20 Texas Association of Basketball Coaches (TABC) polls recently at the No.18 and No.20 slots.

The Raiders return only one dominant player from the 2006-07 starting lineup and with senior Neo Sanchez scoring 23.0 points per game, he will need the support of his cast to try to make it back to the post season. “Nobody gives us credit and this team works hard to make things happened,” head coach Jaime Gongora told HSSM. Leading the Valley in scoring is Steven Garcia of the Hawks. He averages 25.0 points per game and he is the reason the Harlingen South Hawks could lead this team to the playoffs in 2008. Another Hawk, Charles Wary (15.0 ppg) has been the go-to-guy in the back court with Ricky Torres finding holes the Hawks need on offense with his 4.3 assists per game.

In 11 games, Wary has been outstanding by hauling down 13.8 rebounds per game and Zach Taylor also dominates the boards with almost 9.0 rebounds a game too for the Hawks. Jaime Freeman also contributes

How Valley Teams Fared in 2007 Class 5A Bi-District McAllen Rowe 52 Laredo Alexander 58 San Benito 57 PSJA 41 Edinburg 92 Brownsville Porter 63 Laredo United wins McAllen McAllen Memorial 54 Laredo Nixon 50 PSJA North 64 Los Fresnos 60 OT Weslaco 56 Harlingen South 40 Sharyland 53 Laredo Martin 66 Class 4A Bi-District Edcouch-Elsa Bye Tulso-Midway 53 Roma 62 Mission Veterans 62 CC Calallen 49 Class 3A Bi-District Rio Hondo 57 Zapata 48 Raymondville BYE La Feria 32 San Diego 32 Hidalgo BYE Class 1A Bi-District La Villa BYE San Perlita 67 Nordheim 53 San Isidro 60 Runge 51 Class 5A Area San Benito 57 Laredo Alexander 69 Laredo United 63 Edinburg 59 McAllen Memorial over PSJA North Weslaco 68 Laredo Martin 51 Class 4A Area Edcouch-Elsa 62 Calhoun 71 OT CC Moody 63 Roma 67 SA Harlandale 56 Mission Veterans 52 OT Class 3A Area Aransas Pass 74 Hidalgo 51 Raymondville 33 Cuero 52 Rio Hondo 45 Gonzales 61 Class 1A Area La Villa 77 Louise 50 San Perlita 48 D’Hanis 76 San Isidro 56 Richland Springs 51 Class 5A Regional Quarterfinals Weslaco 46 McAllen Memorial 32 Class 5A Regional Semifinals SA Madison 68 Weslaco 34 Class 4A Regional Quarterfinals Roma 52 Calhoun 45 Regional Semifinals New Braunfels Canyon 67 Roma 37 Class 1A Regional Quarterfinals-Div I La Villa 54 Sabinal 52 Regional Semifinals La Villa 56 Thorndale 72

Noe De La Rosa 2007 HSSM BASKETBALL PREVIEW 12

Playoff Bound? Cory Pace hopes to lead the McHi Bulldogs back to the State 5A playoffs in 2008. (HSSM IMages)

8.0 rebounds for the Hawks.

Last year the Hawks finished fourth in 315A and then lost to the undefeated Weslaco Panthers in the first round of the State 5A playoffs 56-40. “I think that this team is much improved,” says Molina.

The Hawks won the 325A title in 2005-06 and lost in the second round after receiving a bye in the Class 5A playoffs to Laredo Alexander 8373. The Hawks are led on defense with Joseph Bedford (4.1) and Jamie Freeman (3.1) with steals per game.

The Hawks and Raiders will eventually find out how mature their programs have develop when they meet the Edinburg Bobcats.

Head coach Joe Filoteo, recently nominated to the TABC Coaches Hall of Fame would love to see team clinch the outright 31-5A title and this time, advance further in the state playoffs. “I don’t know what happened especially when your team is scoring 80 points per game,” Filoteo told HSSM after last year’s second round dissappointing loss to Laredo United 63-59 in Class 5A. The Bobcats are led

by Jonathon Chapa

with 14.o points per game and Esteban Arriola who manages almost 5.0 assists per game too. The Bobcats won the Diamondback

Tough Rattler Defense. The Sharyla third place finish. The Rattlers mad

2007 HSSM BASKETBALL PREVIEW 14

Basketball Classic for the second year in a row but lost their own Craig Smith Classic to Laredo Alexander earlier this year. Filoteo feels that any team could beat anyone, at any given night. “This is a well balanced league and so it will be exciting,” adds Filoteo.

and Rattlers hope to improve in District 30-5A after last year’s de it to the 2007 State 5A playoffs last season. (HSSM IMages)

With all three Top 10 HSSM teams from 31-5A, the remaining teams will come from 32-5A and 30-5A. The Brownsville Hanna Eagles (12-4) and the San Benito Greyhounds (11-5) grab the No. 4 and 5 spots in the High School Sports Magazine’s Top Ten polls and longtime head coaches Don Denson and Roy Garcia are primed to lead their perspective teams back to the State 5A playoffs.

The Greyhounds won their first ever Bi-District title since 1961 with their win over PSJA 57-41. The Eagles on the other hand, have impressed teams in the 2007-08 non-district schedule with their latest upset win over Harlingen South 7571. The last time the Eagles made he playoffs was in 2003-04 when they won the 32-5A title. Denson’s team lost in the area playoffs to Victoria Memorial 75-47.

Eagle player Edward Casarez leads the team with 19.0 points per game with teammate Joe Elizondo adding another 14.0 points per outing to lead the Eagles. Fernie Herrera has been a factor with helping the Eagles score with 5.0 assists and Mario Castandeda adds another 3.0 steals per game to give this Hanna team solid play on both sides of the court.

Against the Hawks, the Eagles forced 15 turnovers and their pressure defense helped Denson win his 12th game of the year.

Earlier, the Hanna Eagles defeated the PSJA North Raiders in the finals of the Brownsville Invitational 71-61. Elizondo scored 25 points to lead his team to victory.

The remaining HSSM Top Ten teams are as follows: McAllen Memorial, McAllen, Weslaco, Mercedes, and Brownsville Pace. Sam Cortez of the McAllen Memorial Mustangs knows that he has the team to make another Class 5A Regional Quarterfinal appearance in 2008. Last year, the Mustangs won two playoff games in the state playoffs before losing to Weslaco at home in the third round 46-32 before a packed crowd. “I still think about that game but we’ll see what happens this year,”

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2007 HSSM BASKETBALL PREVIEW 16

Hoping to make the playoffs. The La Joya Coyotes have not made the playoffs since 2004-05 when they won the 30-5A title. The top four teams from each district in Class 5A will advance to the state playoffs. (HSSM IMages)

2007 HSSM BASKETBALL PREVIEW 17

DECEMBER 29, 2007

adds Cortez. So far the Mustangs have been impressive. They defeated the No. 7 McAllen Bulldogs 49-40 in their district opener and then La Joya, to go 2-0 in district play.

If there was a team with higher expectations in 2007, this team would be the McAllen Bulldogs. Last season the Bulldogs made the playoffs under new head coach Roy Swift after placing second in District 30-5A. The Bulldogs would lose their first round playoff game against Laredo United. “We are still making adjustments and I am waiting for this team to step it up,” says Swift. “We have a very talented team.” Leading the Bulldogs is sophomore J.J. Avila, who towers the Valley at 6’6” and he has averaged 17.0 points per game and 11.0 rebounds. Junior Cory Pace helps Avila by adding 5.0 assists per outing. With teammates Nick Garza, Hutton Edwards, and Mark Lopez in the lineup, look for the Purple and Gold to make another state playoff run in 2008. The Bulldogs opened District 30-5A with consecutive losses Can the Mercedes Tigers make the playoffs in 2008? The Tigers will be a much improved team in District 32-4A. (HSSM IMages)

2007 HSSM BASKETBALL PREVIEW 20

to McAllen Memorial (40-49) and Sharyland (47-58) to stand at 02. Against the Rattlers, Avila scored 21 points and converted 3-of-3 at the free throw line, while Pace added another 12 points. The Bulldogs have posted non-district wins over Pasadena, Harlingen, Laredo United, Nikki Rowe, Hanna, and Roma.

And finally, what a year the Mercedes Tigers are having in 2007-08. The Tigers are 12-5 for the year and will be one the favorites to win the 324A title.

Eliseo Garza leads his team with 12.0 points and Albert Salazar has made Garza’s job alot easier with his contribution of seven assists per game.

The Tigers have not made the State 4A playoffs since 2000 and with Roma, Mission, Edcouch-Elsa, and Mission Veterans rich in basketball tradition,

Adam Brown

Ben Diaz

Mark Garza

Isaac De la Fuente

one of these teams will be left out and the Tigers will clinch.

While many may suspect the Mission Veterans Patriots to win it again, these Tigers have been surprising teams in the preseason.

The Pats won another

Peter Rodriguez

Javier Paez

Class 4A Bi-district title with their win over Corpus Christi Calallen 62-49 and then lost to SA Harlandale 56-52 in overtime in 2007. Head coach Romeo De La Garza has watched his team struggle to a 109 season to date but he

Mark Puente

Memo Recio

expects that his younger players will be ready for district. “We have a young team but we’ll be ready,” adds De La Garza. Ben Gonzalez leads the Pats with 18.5 points a night with six assists.

2007 HSSM BASKETBALL PREVIEW 21

DECEMBER 29, 2007

Dairy Queen Academic Honor-Weslaco’s Mishak Rivas was honored by High School Sports Magazine and Dairy Queen at the Dodge Arena during the RGV Vipers NBA-Developmental League game. Players are recognized for maintaining a 3.0 GPA and excelling in their sport. Pictured are Dairy Queen owners Robert and Laurie Lozano with Bob Lozano presenting the award to Rivas. HSSM Publisher David A. Amador and Mrs. Rivas were present. (HSSM Images)

2007 HSSM BASKETBALL PREVIEW 22

FINISH

DISTRICT BY DISTRICT 2007-08 BOYS STANDINGS 30-5AAAAA 31-5AAAAA 32-5AAAAA 1. MCALLEN MEM 1. EDINBURG 1. BRO HANNA 2. MCALLEN 2. PSJA NORTH 2. SAN BENITO 3. SHARYLAND 3.

HAR SOUTH 3. LOS FRESNOS 4. MCALLEN ROWE 4. ED NORTH 4. WESLACO 5. DONNA 5. HARLINGEN 5. BRO PACE 6. BRO PORTER 6. ECONOMEDES 6. LA JOYA 7. RIO GRANDE CITY 7. PSJA 7. BRO RIVERA 8.

PSJA MEM 8. BRO LOPEZ 31-3AAA 32-3AAA 32-4AAAA 1. ZAPATA 1. HIDALGO 1. MERCEDES 2. RAYMONDVILLE 2. LA FERIA 2. ED-ELSA 3. SAN DIEGO 3. MISS VETERAN 3. RIO HONDO 4. LYFORD 4. PORT ISABEL 4. ROMA 5. FALFURRIAS 5. PROGRESO 5. WES EAST 6. MISSION 7. VALLEY VIEW 2006-07 GIRLS STANDINGS 30-5AAAAA 31-5AAAAA 32-5AAAAA 1. MCALLEN 1. HAR SOUTH 1. BRO RIVERA 2. ECONOMEDES 2. SHARYLAND 2. BRO HANNA 3. DONNA 3. PSJA NORTH 3. WESLACO 4. MCALLEN MEM 4. EDINBURG 4. BRO PACE 5. LA JOYA 5.

HARLINGEN 5. BRO PORTER 6. RIO GRANDE CITY 6. PSJA MEM 6. BRO LOPEZ 7. LOS FRESNOS 7. ED NORTH 8. PSJA 8. SAN BENITO 31-3AAA 32-3AAA 32-4AAAA 1. ZAPATA 1. MISSION VETS 1. HIDALGO 2. RAYMONDVILLE 2. LA FERIA 2. ED-ELSA 3. SAN DIEGO 3. PROGRESO 3. VALLEY VIEW 4. LYFORD 4. PORT ISABEL 4. WES EAST 5. FALFURRIAS 5. RIO HONDO 5. MERCEDES 6. ROMA Note: The top four teams from every district in Class 5A now advance to the state playoffs.PREVIEW 23 7. MISSION 2007 HSSM BASKETBALL

2007-08 HSSM BASKETBALL P R E D I C T I O N S

How They’ll

DECEMBER 29, 2007

UIL TEXAS STATE GIRLS BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT CHAMPS

www.texashighschoolsportsmagazine.com State Girls Basketball Tournament Champions (1985-2007) 1985 5A: South Oak Cliff 60, Victoria 46 4A: Waco Richfield 44, Sweetwater 35 3A: Vernon 52, Sweeny 51 2A: Troy 80, Abernathy 72 1A: Nazareth 56, Priddy 48 1986 5A: Victoria 57, Tyler Lee 44 4A: Levelland 44, A&M Consolidated 43 3A: Hardin-Jefferson 72, Ingleside 53 2A: Abernathy 51, Rogers 42 1A: Snook 36, Nazareth 33 1987 5A: Plainview 59, Austin Lanier 47 4A: Levelland 41, Corpus Christi Calallen 30 3A: Slaton 43, Sweeny 40 2A: Morton 68, Paris 53 1A: Sudan 55, Moulton 26 1988 5A: Duncanville 60, North Mesquite 46 4A: Levelland 38, Corpus Christi Calallen 35 3A: Brownfield 49, HardinJefferson 40 2A: Godley 60, Grapeland 58 1A: Nazareth 64, La Poynor 28 1989 5A: Duncanville 42, Victoria 38 4A: Levelland 45, West Orange-Stark 24 3A: Hardin-Jefferson 46, Canyon 44 2A: Grapeland 54, Abernathy 47 1A: Nazareth 57, La Poynor 33

5A: Duncanville 74, Houston Yates 51 4A: Corpus Christi Calallen 46, Waco Midway 39 3A: Abilene Wylie 51, Edna 37 2A: Tatum 61, Marlon 50 1A: Nazareth 53, Moulton 34 1991 5A: Amarillo Tascosa 54, Victoria 41 4A: Levelland 51, Lincoln 30 3A: Tulia 58, Winnsboro 39 2A: Abernathy 37, Honey Grove 32 1A: Nazareth 50, Moulton 30

2A: Ozona 45, Gunter 39 1A: Nazareth 43, Celeste 30 1997 5A: Duncanville 44, Alief Elsik 33 4A: Levelland 36, Cedar Hill 33 3A: Barbers Hill 66, Dripping Springs 45 2A: Poth 54, Shallowater 50 1A: Whiteface 59, Celeste 39

1998 5A: Alief Elsik 58, Amarillo Palo Duro 38 4A: Canyon Randall 52, Bay City 23 1992 3A: Comanche 65, Winnsboro 56 5A: San Marcos 45, Duncanville 43 2A: Hamilton 54, Ozona 45 4A: Canyon Randall 43, 1A: Karnack 69, Nazareth 45 Georgetown 42 3A: Canyon 49, Winnsboro 29 1999 2A: Panhandle 52, Marlon 49 5A: Mansfield 65, Corpus Christi 1A: Celeste 70, Brock 57 Carroll 46 4A: Lincoln 52, Canyon 49 1993 3A: Winnsboro 56, Lufkin Hudson 5A: Amarillo 68, Corpus Christi 48 King 65 2A: Hughes Springs 61, Salado 33 4A: Austin Westlake 48, Levelland 1A: Vega 70, Valley View 64 40 3A: Dimmitt 59, Dripping Springs 2000 51 5A: Mansfield 69, Plano 43 2A: Marlon 69, Hamilton 63 4A: Canyon 74, Waxahachie 54 1A: Celeste 63, Muenster 38 3A: Winnsboro 54, Smithville 51 2A: Farwell 47, Brock 35 1994 1A: Nazareth 72, Valley View 56 5A: Amarillo 62, Conroe 46 4A: Waco Midway 52, Lincoln 40 2001 3A: Dripping Springs 64, Waco La 5A: Mansfield 62, Spring Westfield Vega 56 49 2A: Tuscola Jim Ned 31, Hemphill 4A: Plainview 51, Lincoln 40 29 3A: Winnsboro 51, Abilene Wylie 1A: Sudan 40, Jayton 36 48 2A: Nacogdoches Central Heights 1995 57, Boyd 56 5A: Austin Westlake 59, 1A: Nazareth 61, Kennard 44 Duncanville 56 (OT) 4A: Cleburne 55, Silsbee 50 2002 3A: Bowie 65, Dripping Springs 50 5A: Mansfield 47, San Antonio 2A: Ozona 61, Cooper 47 Taft 42 1A: Sudan 66, Alvord 42 4A: Plainview 68, Lincoln 40 3A: Llano 67, Texarkana-Liberty1996 Eylau 51 5A: Austin Westlake 64, Alief Elsik 2A: Buffalo 48, Abernathy 43 60 (2 OT) 1A-1: Brock 58, LaPoynor 26 4A: Canyon 60, Cedar Hill 34 1A-2: Nazareth 67, Dodd City 42 3A: Groesbeck 63, Slaton 61

2003 5A: Duncanville 47, Georgetown 27 4A: Plainview 50, Lincoln 42 3A: Canyon 76, Kountze 45 2A: Brock 55, Shallowater 36 A-I: La Poynor 52, Gruver 47 A-II: Priddy 57, Hedley 54 Texas Cup: Priddy 66, La Poynor 63 2004 5A: Spring Westfield 66, Duncanville 49 4A: Lincoln 57, Plainview 35 3A: Canyon 63, Winnsboro 33 2A: Shallowater 44, Aubrey 37 A-I: Archer City 43, Muenster 42 A-II: Fayetteville 48, Briscoe Fort Elliott 41 Texas Cup: Archer City 59, Fayetteville 47 2005 5A: Arlington Bowie 69, Humble 62 4A: Fort Worth Dunbar 56, Angleton 50 3A: Canyon 66, Cleveland 46 2A: Brock 64, Canadian 30 A-I: Seagraves 60, Moulton 45 A-II: Nazareth 62, Kennard 57 Texas Cup: Seagraves 56, Nazareth 51 2006 5A: Plano West 54, Rockwall 47 4A: Waxahachie 52, Kerville Tivy 48 3A: China Spring 57, Abilene Wylie 54 2A: Argyle 51, Wall 33 A-I: Martin’s Mill 61, Elkhart Slocum 30 A-II: Kennard 44, Springlake-Earth 26 2007 5A: Rockwall 59, CY Fairbanks 54 4A: FW Dunbar 62 Dickinson 51 3A: Canyon 53, Crockett 38 2A: Poth 72, Winnsboro 70 2OT A-I: Lindsay 43, Sundown 36 A-II: Nazareth 61, Garden City 31

1990

2007 HSSM BASKETBALL PREVIEW 24

State Boys Basketball Tournament Champions (1990-2007)

5A: 4A: 3A: 2A: 1A:

1990 5A: Kimball 59, Houston Clear Lake 56 4A: Lincoln 87, Boerne 77 3A: Navasota 71, Lamesa 54 2A: Ingram Moore 73, Troup 72 1A: Santo 67, Moulton 64

1997 5A: Kimball 64, Galena Park North Shore 53 4A: San Antonio Fox Tech 68, Lincoln 59 3A: Madison 64, Tulia 58 2A: Italy 71, Industrial 63 1A: Wortham 50, Nazareth 42

1991 5A: Duncanville 65, San Antonio Jay 38 4A: Port Arthur Lincoln 77, San Antonio Alamo Heights 68 3A: Sour Lake Hardin-Jefferson 75, Clarksville 68 2A: Abernathy 55, Troup 46 1A: Moulton 53, Bronte 44 1992 5A: Longview 71, Victoria 67 (OT) 4A: South Oak Cliff 73, Georgetown 60 3A: Stafford 73, Groesbeck 72 2A: Troup 60, Krum 40 1A: Laneville 51, Petersburg 49 1993 5A: Fort Worth Dunbar 74, Converse Judson 64 4A: Lincoln 46, Port Arthur Lincoln 45 3A: Southlake Carroll 66, Ferris 56 2A: Troup 69, Amarillo Highland Park 49 1A: Laneville 77, Brock 68 1994 5A: Sugar Land Willowridge 50, Plano East 44 4A: Plainview 54, Austin Anderson 52 3A: Ferris 84, Littlefield 66 2A: Krum 56, Troup 45 1A: Lipan 62, Nazareth 60 1995 5A: San Antonio East Central 108, Carter 86 4A: Port Arthur Lincoln 57, Austin Anderson 56 3A: Clarksville 87, Madisonville 69 2A: La Poynor 60, Maypearl 56 1A: Sudan 74, Calvert 71 1996

Kimball 72, Euless Trinity 64 Pampa Arthur 82, Madison 68 Sinton 66, Graham 59 Krum 53, East Chambers 39 Avinger 51, Anderson-Shiro 48

1998 5A: Midland 63, San Antonio Taft 51 4A: Houston Waltrip 67, Highland Park 60 3A: Clarksville 90, Crockett 83 2A: Krum 64, Little River Acdemy 52 1A: Moulton 67, Goodrich 44 1999 5A: Duncanville 78, Kimball 61 4A: Crowley 60, Port Arthur Lincoln 51 3A: Mexia 77, Seminole 71 (OT) 2A: Peaster 66, Wellington 62 (OT) 1A: Moulton 54, Brookeland 49 2000 5A: Sugar Land Willowridge 59, Klein Forest 52 4A: Denton Ryan 80, Madison 69 3A: Waco La Vega 60, Gainesville 47 2A: Peaster 67, Van Vleck 58 1A: Brookeland 63, Moulton 53 2001 5A: Sugar Land Willowridge 65, Bryan 58 4A: Beaumont Ozen 58, San Antonio Lanier 42 3A: Mexia 74, Corpus Christi West Oso 49 2A: Ponder 50, Danbury 49 A-I: Evadale 61, Stratford 47 A-II: Goodrich 62, Nazareth 51 Texas Cup: Evadale 66, Goodrich 60

54 3A: Everman 72, Tatum 44 2A: Brock 81, Hitchcock 52 A-I: Tenaha 72, Lipan 55 A-II: Nazareth 69, Oakwood 60 Texas Cup: Nazareth 51 Tenaha 47 2004 5A: Houston Milby 72, Cedar Hill 67 4A: Houston Jones 63, Lincoln 61 3A: Kountze 73, Midland Greenwood 54 2A: Shallowater 47, Argyle 45 (OT) A-I: Normangee 53, Morton 51 (OT) A-II: Lenorah Grady 55, Neches 49 Texas Cup: Normangee 50, Lenorah Grady 37 2005 5A: Humble Kingwood 54, DeSoto 52 4A: Dallas South Oak Cliff 76, Ft. Worth Dunbar 58 3A: Van 62, Graham 41 2A: Kountze 77, Tuscola Jim Ned 64 A-I: Morton 66, Snook 38 A-II: Lipan 58, Paducah 49 Texas Cup: Morton 69, Lipan 53 2006 5A: Plano 60, Humble Kingwood 58 (OT) 4A: Dallas SOC 64, San Antonio Houston 43 3A: Dallas Roosevelt 61, Carrollton Ranchview 46 2A: Arp 65, Ponder 49 A-I: Bogata Rivercrest 57, Gruver 49 A-II: Nazareth 53, Lipan 48 2007 5A: Duncanville 60, Humble Kingwood 46 4A: Dallas SOC 54, Beaumont Ozen 42 3A: SL Hardin-Jefferson 56, Abilene Wylie 44 2A: Kountze 71 Shallowater 57 A-I: Thorndale 39 Martin’s Mill 37 A-II: Nazareth 52 Laneville 43

2002 5A: San Antonio Jay 54, Kimball 53 4A: Lincoln 71, Beaumont Ozen 51 3A: Gainesville 79, Kountze 62 2A: Little River Academy 49, Frankston 48 A-I: Brock 76, Kennard 59 A-II: Nazareth 61, Goodrich 58 Texas Cup: Brock 70, Nazareth 50 2003 5A: DeSoto 94, Corpus Christi Ray 73 4A: Fort Worth Dunbar 66, Beaumont Ozen

2007 HSSM BASKETBALL PREVIEW 25

UIL TEXAS STATE boyS BASKETBALL PAST TOURNAMENT CHAMPS

www.texashighschoolsportsmagazine.com

DECEMBER 29, 2007

Two-Point Jinx

2007-08 HSSM Basketball Preview

For the past three playoff seasons, the McAllen Lady Bulldogs have lost all three games by two points. Will Teresa Casso end this jinx in 2008?

RGV High School Girl’s

TOP TEN

>HSSM POLLS

1. McAllen 2. Harlingen South 3. Edinburg Economedes 4. Sharyland 5. Brownsville Pace 6. Hidalgo 7. Mission Veterans 8. San Benito 9. La Feria 10. San Isidro

2007 HSSM BASKETBALL PREVIEW 26

OnTheSideLines

W

For more on New Year Wishes: www.highschoolsportsmagazine.com

My New Year

Wishes, Maybe.

hat a year. In 2007, I had b y D a v i d A. A m a d o r the pleasure of watching coaches on the sidelines win many spectacular games and the sporting world also lost many coaches who made a difference in many lives they touched. As we approach the new year of 2008, many will ask what this year will have instored for us all. So I have listed the many wishes I would like to see happened in 2008.

Steroid Testing for All Athletes: And why not? Every athlete should be tested at all varsity levels of competition. Can you imagine testing a platform diver?

More Money for Football Coaches: Every high school football coach, if successful, brings revenues to communities by winning games on the sidelines every Friday night. Can it be done? Sure!

Corporate Named Football Stadiums: Instead of naming these football stadiums after past coaches or leaders, why not name stadiums like McAllen Memorial Veterans Stadium the “Burger King Stadium” with a slogan entitled “Home games. Here’s an interesting wish from of the Whopper”. I’m sure they will pay the bottom of the barrel. big bucks if you sell “Whoppers” at the New Security Guards at Edcouch-Elsa

“Every Athlete Should Be Tested at all Varsity Levels of Competition...”

ISD: These gatekeepers need to get replaced. Since when did these guys think they had the power to get rid of coaches?

Unbelieveable.

No More Direct TV: It’s these circle-type plates that hang sideways at the roof-tops that make neighborhoods look awkward and what’s worst, now we must pay to watch the Dallas Cowboys?

Cable TV/Time Warner needs to accept the NFL Network for just $1 buck and leave it at that! We must keep these flyin’ saucers off our rooftops! Unbelieveable!

Play High School Basketball Games prior to RGV Vipers Games: This would be great! Schools can schedule games right before a NBA Developmental RGV Viper Game on a Saturday afternoon at 2:00 p.m. then stick around and watch a Viper game at 5:00 p.m.

Talk about excitement! Better yet, schedule playoff games in February. And finally, Ban Ground Squirrels from Golf Courses: Ever since I stepped in this critter’s hole on the golf course, (While playing golf. It’s a tough sport) knocking my “sports drink” out of my hand, it was then, that I realized that 2008 will be a great year of wishes, maybe.

2007 HSSM BASKETBALL PREVIEW 27

DECEMBER 29, 2007

How Valley Girls Teams Fared in 2007 Class 5A Bi-District McAllen Rowe 25 Laredo Nixon 62 Brownsville Rivera 41 Economedes 44 Harlingen South 40 San Benito 36 Sharyland 48 Laredo Johnson 37 McAllen 72 Laredo Cigarroa 46 Weslaco 37 Harlingen 64 Edinburg 40 Brownsville Hanna 69 McAllen Memorial 56 Laredo Alexander 82 Class 4A Bi-District Weslaco East BYE Mission 23 Alice 43 Mission Veterans 63 Tulso-Midway 69 Class 3A Bi-District Port Isabel 62 Zapata 60 La Feria over Raymondville Hidalgo BYE Class 1A Bi-District La Villa 39 Pettus 59 San Perlita 76 Waelder 33 San Isidro BYE Class 5A Area Laredo Alexander 55 Brownsville Hanna 50 McAllen 64 Harlingen 59 Sharyland 46 Harlingen South 57 Laredo Nixon 47 Economedes 31 Class 4A Area Weslaco East 50 Beeville 57 Class 3A Area Hidalgo 48 Ingelside 34 La Feria 44 Gonzales 52 Port Isabel 24 CC West Oso 85 Class 1A Area La Villa 77 Louise 50 San Perlita 27 Rochelle 52 San Isidro 36 Comstock 45 Class 5A Regional Quarterfinals McAllen 63 Laredo Alexander 65 Harlingen South 38 Laredo Nixon 53 Class 3A Regional Quarterfinals Hidalgo 41 CC West Oso 46

(McAllen, Texas)-Jinx?

What Jinx? The McAllen Lady Bulldogs find themselves in unfamiliar territory. First, they are ranked No.1 in the High School Sports Magazine’s Top Ten Polls and secondly, they are ranked No. 20 in the TABC polls.

The Lady Bulldogs return a nucleus of players that have managed to post 17 wins to date against four losses. The Lady Bulldogs have been dominant on the floor with returning lettermen Dalia Contreras, Andi Garza, Ali Bills, Lyndsie Curry, and Rebecca Valdez. Garza averages 18 points a game, along with Curry (15.8), Valdez (11.0), and Bills (11.0). The Bulldogs play an up game tempo and head coach Teresa Casso’s team watches her team apply tough defense on opposing teams.

Only one question remains: Are these Lady Bulldogs good enough to make it to the State 5A Regional Tournament? Last year, the Lady Bulldogs

Donna’s Rebecka Rodriguez dribbles past defenders. (HSSM IMages) lost to Laredo Alexander 65-63, ending Casso’s hopes of a third Regional Tournament appearance in her career as a Lady Bulldog.

In 2005-06, the Lady Bulldogs, again, lost to the Harlingen South Lady Hawks in the Regional quarterfinals by two points again, 56-54.

Is this a Casso’s jinx? In 2004-05, again, the Lady Bulldogs would lose by two points in the Class 5A Area Championships 51-49 to Harlingen.

Hopefully, this will be the last year of the two-point jinx and the Lady

We Finance Funerals. Easy Plans.

Monuments and Pre-Needs Sales Available 2007 HSSM BASKETBALL PREVIEW 28

Bulldogs will make it to the State 5A Regional Tournament.

In more HSSM Previews, the Harlingen South Lady Hawks will do whatever it will take to make it to the State 5A Regional Tournament. The Lady Hawks are 20-3 for the season

and they will be favored to win it all in District 31-5A. Like the McAllen Lady Bulldogs, the Lady Hawks have dominated teams they have been matched up with and the only team in 31-5A that could challenge these Lady Hawks could be the PSJA North

Lady Raiders or the Economedes Lady Jags.

South’s senior Bianca Torre leads the Valley in scoring with 21.0 points per game and she also ranks No.1 in assists with almost nine per game.

In 2007, many thought that the Edinburg Econo-

medes Lady Jags should not even be ranked but HSSM ranked the Lady Jags and proved that they were worth the ranking.

In the end, the Lady Jags captured their first ever Bi-District title in school history in Class 5A with a win over

Loreno Rocha-RGC

Lesly Lopez-RGC

Tabitha Rodriguez-RGC

Rose Solis-RGC

2007 HSSM BASKETBALL PREVIEW 29

DECEMBER 29, 2007

HSSM IMages

Myra Morales

Erika Amador

Monica Cavazos

Brownsville Rivera 44-41. This year, this Lady Jag team could be even better. To date, they have posted an impressive 15-4 record and stand tied for first at 4-0 in district play with the Lady Hawks. Morgan Brown leads her team with 14.0 points per game and she also adds another 16.0 rebounds.

And finally, the Hidalgo Lady Pirates, Sharyland, Brownsville Pace, and Mission Veterans are favored to make the playoffs in 2008. The 30-5A Sharyland Lady Rattlers are led by Andrea Longoria (13.0 ppg), while the Lady Pirates

Laura Ochoa

Vero Hinojosa

are led by Victoria Gonzalez with 19.0 points per game. The surprise team of 2008 could be the Lady Viqueens of Brownsville Pace. If they can hang for the fourth playoff spot in District 32-5A along with Weslaco, Brownsville Rivera, and San Benito, this would make the Lady Viqueens the team to surprise.

Leading the Viqueens are Vanessa Beltran, Belinda Mendez, and Samantha Saldivar.

In District 32-3A, the Hidalgo Lady Pirates are favored to win it all again in 2008.

Look for more high school basketball coverage at www.highschoolsportsmagazine.net

2007 HSSM BASKETBALL PREVIEW 30

Inside SPORTS

For More Information: www.hssmonline.net

Jason O. Martinez, B.B.A., C.P.T.,HSSM Columnist

Girls can jump too!

Do you want to be able to jump higher? After all, that means more rebounds, more blocked shots and even shooting over people who previously may have blocked your shot. So how do you get started?

The dictionary definition of jump is to spring off the ground by a muscular effort of the legs and feet. This definition is only partially correct, and maybe this is why we only partially train jumping correctly. Jumping requires coordinated movement of the arms, legs and feet to be initiated at the core, the region near your “belly button”.

Before any female embarks on a jump training program, she must learn correct technique. Unfortunately, many coaches, trainers and videos use great programs but demonstrate bad technique. What happens when you practice bad technique? A small vertical jump, but perhaps worse, the possibility of a serious knee injury.

Analysis of female jumping techniques demonstrates that females jump differently than men. Research has identified three important factors.

Women jump and land in a more upright position. They land with greater ground-reaction forces. And they jump with incorrect knee position.

More Upright Jumping and Landing Genetically, the typical female demonstrates less muscle mass and strength than males. Girls who are 9, 10, and 11 years old play sports in an upright position causing weak trunk, hip and leg musculature. As they continue to develop as young athletes, if this weakness and technique error are not corrected, they will develop a muscle memory that reinforces playing in a more upright position. If this continues, they will also not develop strength to obtain good low positioning. So no matter how much the coach tells you to “get down”, you will be unable to do so.

Incorrect Knee Positioning Lower leg alignment problems may predispose the female athlete to anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears or other knee injuries. Typically the female demonstrates a wider pelvic angle and increased low-back curve. Both of these factors result in the femur, or upper leg bone, rotating inward and the knees assuming a “knock knee” position. This inward-rotated, “knock knee” position places stress on the ACL. Combine this position with the large forces generated during jumping, and you have a formula for disaster.

Some of these alignment problems can be corrected with appropriate strength and jump training. Strength training should target trunk and gluteus muscles. Jump training must emphasize knee over second-toe position.

Greater Ground-Reaction Forces Research shows the typical male athlete lands with forces two and a half times his body weight after a maximum jump. This compares to the female athlete, who lands with forces up to five times her body weight. This large groundreaction force places greater tension on the muscles, tendons, ligaments and cartilage surrounding the knee. These large forces are the result of poor shock absorption from landing too upright and allowing the knee to move side to side and rotationally during landing. Hence, all three jumping technique errors in the female athlete rely closely upon each other.

Summary of Correct Jumping Techniques Land on the ball of your foot and sink into your heel.

Flex at the hips, knees and ankles.

Maintain a straight back-neutral spine position.

Maintain chest over knees and knees over second toe.

2007 HSSM BASKETBALL PREVIEW 31

DECEMBER 29, 2007

Story by David A. Amador (Hidalgo, Texas)-The NBA Developmental League and the new Rio Grande Valley Vipers basketball team have made history in South Texas.

More than 25,000 fans from the Rio Grande Valley have attended the first seven home games at the Dodge Arena showing their support of the NBA-Developmental league’s newest team, the RGV Vipers with plenty to say. “This is awesome,” said Santa Rosa Athletic Director Joshua Gonzalez. “This is real entertaining and it’s the real deal,” adds Gonzalez.

And he’s right too.

The RGV Vipers hired Bob Hoffman, who coached the University of Texas-Pan American Broncs from 19992004 and most recently, Hoffman coached the ABA’s Arkansas Aeros, where his team went 25-2 and averaged 133 points per game during the 2006-2007 season. Prior

Viper Slam! Gabe Muoneke leads the Vipers team in scoring with 25.8 points per game.

(Alec Amador/HSSM Images)

Vipers Rio Grande Valley

AWESOME! Valley Fans Say “This is the Real-Thing: It’s Awesome.” www.RGVIPERS.com 32

RGV Viper Head Coach. Bob Hoffman is back in the Rio Grande Valley to lead the Vipers in their first year NBA-Developmental League debut. (HSSM Images/Chris LaRock) to coaching the Aeros, Hoffman served for two years as an assistant coach at the University of Oklahoma. Hoffman brings much experience and is familiar to the Valley and says that he is glad to be back. “I’m happy to be back in the Rio Grande Valley. This is a real exciting time for the RGV Vipers.

It’s going to get real exciting. I’m just happy to be part of this opportunity,” added Hoffman. Brian Walsh will serve as an assistant coach for the team. Walsh, who was one of three finalists for the head coaching position, spent this past season as an assistant coach for the D-League’s Colorado 14ers.

The Vipers jumped out to a 3-0 start with home wins over Austin (104-97), and Bakersfield (111-100), and then went on the road, capturing their first road game win over Anaheim (99-91). Since then, the Vipers have proven to the D-League and the rest of the NBA affiliates that they will be playoff contenders come playoff time in April. “Our goal is to make the playoffs and win some games,” said Hoffman. “We have a long road ahead of us, but our talent will entertain crowds,” added Hoffman.

So far the Vipers have been loaded with talent. Viper guard, C.J. Watson (23.1 points) and forward, Gabe Muoneke (25.8) lead the team in scoring and minutes played. What most Valley fans are beginning to notice is that this is a real “NBA” affiliate team. Recently, the Vipers had two players from the NBA Houston Rockets assigned to them for a few weeks.

The Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey sent forward Steve Novak and guard, Aaron Brooks to the RGV Vipers to pick up some playing time. Novak averaged 18.2 points on 46.1 percent shooting, 7.2 rebounds and 1.6 assists in nine games with the Vipers. Prior to his assignment, Novak had been designated as an inactive for the Rockets’ first six games of the season. He was called up again by Morey last month. Brooks was assigned on Dec. 6, and he averaged 23.0 points, 5.5 rebounds and 5.0 assists in two games with the Vipers. Brooks again, was recalled back to the Rockets.

“The Rio Grande Valley is a great place to live. It’s quiet and the area is pleasant,” Brooks told HSSM. “I am very fortunate to be here and I encourage anyone who dreams of playing in

2007 HSSM BASKETBALL PREVIEW 33

DECEMBER 29, 2007

the NBA to work hard and go to college,” he added. Brooks (60, 161, Oregon), who was selected by Houston with the 26th overall pick in the 2007 NBA Draft, has averaged 2.5 points in his two appearances with the Rockets this season. He played in his first NBA game vs. Phoenix (11/17/07), notching five points (2-2 FG, 1-1 3FG). Brooks also averaged 21.4 points (.461, 35-76 FG) and 5.2 assists over five games with Houston in the 2007 NBA Summer League presented by Adidas. In addition to his NBA Summer League honors, Brooks was one of the top-10 young NBA players named to a USA Basketball

Men’s Select Team that was chosen to help prepare the 2007 USA Senior National Team for its gold-medal run at the FIBA Americas Championship 2007.

So far these NBA players have left long-lasting memories for Valley fans. “I met Aaron Brooks,” Randy Ramirez told HSSM. “He’s a real nice guy and gave me advice about going college and being successful in the classroom,” he added.

Ramirez was honored during the first period of the VipersTulsa game by High School Sports Magazine.

HSSM awarded the Edinburg North High School senior with

NBA Houston Rockets. Steve Novak played eight games with the RGV Vipers before being recalled. Also pictured is Kevin Bookout (right) of the Vipers.

(HSSM Images/David Amador)

NBA Developmental league RGVIPERS.com 34

the Dairy Queen Academic Player of the Week Award.

Harlingen South head football coach Alan Cherry agrees with Ramirez. “These games are exciting and I also noticed that school buses are parked outside and groups are attending these games. I will be back,” added Cherry.

Cherry was recently named the HSSM Coach of the Year along with quarterback, Sean Messick being named 31-5A Player of the Year. Both were recognized at the VipersAustin home game. “Sitting at courts side gives you that real NBA experience,” says Messick.

“High School Sports Magazine is doing a great job with the RGV Vipers by honoring these Dairy Queen Academic Players at each home game,” said Edinburg North head coach Roy Garza.

The RGV Vipers are led by Watson, Muoneke, Kenny Taylor, Jesse Smith, Kevin Bookout, Craig Winder, Trent Strickland, Quannas White, and Quin Humphrey. Taylor averages 11 points per game and his role on the court will be lifted since Brooks and Novak were called up by the NBA Houston Rockets.

To date, the Vipers have picked up four more wins and are tied for first place in the Southwest Divison of the D-League.

Vipers President Abby Pierce says that when fans attend home games, they will be entertained. “The NBA New Orleans Hornets sent some of their cheerleaders, along with their mascot. Fans were surprised,” she added.

Another familiar face at the RGV Vipers game is George “Iceman” Gervin. He recently attended a Vipers home game and many fans shook hands and took pictures with the

2007 NBA Houston Rockets No. 1 Draft Pick. Aaron Brooks played only two games with the Vipers.

(HSSM Images/Alec Amador)

former NBA San Antonio Spur and Hall of Famer.

Fans could be heard in the stands saying, “hey, there’s the Iceman.” “We have more surprises coming,” added

Pierce.

The RGV Vipers are affiliated with the NBA Houston Rockets, Cleveland Cavaliers, and New Orleans Hornets. The Vipers will

return home on January 13th to play the Albuquerque Thunderbirds and then they will play one more home game on January 18th against the Anaheim Arsenal.

2007 HSSM BASKETBALL PREVIEW 35

DECEMBER 29, 2007