Spring Edition
2019 HIGH SCHOOL
SPORTS PREVIEW
Supplement of the
Covering: • Baseball • Softball • Soccer
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HOME OF THE BIG 7 SCHOOLS
SPORTS PREVIEW - 2019 SPRING EDITION
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Big 7 softball heavy at the top, while others hope to climb By Bryan Ramos
Last season, the District 31-5A and District 30-6A softball champions came out of the Big 7. Mission Veterans, La Joya and Sharyland Pioneer have established themselves as big dogs, while the other Big 7 softball programs are looking fight their way up to that level. Here’s a look at Big 7 softball. District 31-5A Mission Veterans Lady Patriots The Lady Patriots finished the season 13-3 in league play a year ago and have the look of a team that can repeat as district champions. Mission Veterans returns four players who earned All-District honors a season ago in first team CF Stephanie Torres, a junior, and second team SS Makenzie Gerlach, a senior. The senior pair of C Justine Galvan, and 3B Priscilla Gonzalez were honorable mentions and Vivian Ray was named the District 31-5A Co-Head Coach of the Year for leading her team to a district title. That crew is back in blue as the Lady Patriots begin their quest for a second consecutive 31-5A championship. La Joya Palmview Lady Lobos The Lady Lobos finished in fifth place in District 306A, one spot out of the
playoffs. Their record, however, was just 3-9 and five games behind fourth place McAllen High. Now that Palmview has made the move down to 31-5A due to realignment, they hope to make a name for themselves in their new district right away. The Lady Lobos the players to make it happen as they return six who received all-district honors. Sophomores 3B Delia Martinez and C/SS Bianca Fernandez, along with junior OF Frida Garza, each claimed a spot on the 30-6A All-District Second Team. Cassandra Santos made the 2018 All-Area Second Team as a first baseman, hitting .525 with 21 RBIs. Yartiza Ortiz and Itzanelly Cordero were also honorable mentions, leaving the Lobos longing for a successful season. With those six pieces, they Lobos could find themselves competing for a playoff spot when it’s all said and done. Sharyland Pioneer Lady Diamondbacks The Sharyland Pioneer Lady Diamondbacks have established themselves as the creme of the crop in District 31-5A. The Lady Diamondbacks finished district play 13-3, tied for the best record with Mission Veterans even though they fell twice to the Lady Patriots. Last year’s District 31-5A Offensive MVP and Newcomer of the Year were Lady Diamondbacks as senior Sarah Odale and Andrea Ortiz are back to lead the way. Seniors and all-district honorees Madison Sparks and Ilianna Casanova play key roles for Sharyland Pioneer throughout the year, and along with Orlando Garcia, the 2018 Co-Coach
of the Year, will be looking to lead the Lady Diamondbacks to another stellar season. Sharyland Lady Rattlers The Lady Rattlers finished right in the middle of the 31-5A standings with an 8-8 record in district play a season ago, two games out of the playoffs. This year, the Lady Rattlers return talented players as they look to put Sharyland High back in the postseason. Junior Tristen Maddox was District’s 31-5A Most Valuable Player as she led the Lady Rattlers on the mound and from her shortstop position. Along with Alexis Silva and First Team AllDistrict member Anastasia Cruz, the Lady Rattlers are headed in the right direction as they hope to lock up one of the four playoffs spots in 31-5A. District 30-6A La Joya Lady Coyotes The La Joya Lady Coyotes and longtime Head Coach Carlos Rodriguez wrapped up another successful season in 2018 as district champions with a perfect 12-0 record. The team lost a load of talent in last year’s district MVP and Offensive MVP in Sabrina Salinas and Alex Alaniz. The Lady Coyotes have built themselves into a perennial contender and with a few
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key pieces returning from last year’s district championship team, they’ll be looking to carry the torch and lead La Joya to another good season. Juniors C Kassandra Villarreal and SS/OF Ayleene Salinas were named to the First Team All-District a season ago and will spearhead the offense for the Lady Coyotes. Fellow juniors Leslie Ochoa also brought home all-district honors, giving La Joya hope that they can continue down the winning path and into the playoffs once again. La Joya Juarez-Lincoln Lady Huskies The Juarez-Lincoln Lady Huskies failed to win a game in district play in the 2018 season. This 2019 team, however, is out to change that. The Lady Huskies have had their struggles, but All-District Honorable Mentions Natalie Garcia and Ashley Silva give Juarez-Lincoln a starting point. They can help lead the Lady Huskies to victories in 2019 which will hopefully spark a turnaround for the Juarez-Lincoln softball program. Mission Lady Eagles The Mission Lady Eagles finished the 2018 in second to last place in District 30-6A. The Lady Eagles struggled to find their footing, but with Lexie Flores returning for her senior season, Mission High will be looking to put more Ws in the win column which could lead to contending for a playoff spot.
SPORTS PREVIEW - 2019 SPRING EDITION
2019 Mission Lady Eagles Softball Team Home and Away Games 3/5 vs. McAllen* 3/8 at Juarez-Lincoln 3/12 vs. PSJA North* 3/19 at Rowe* 3/22 at PSJA* 3/26 vs. La Joya*
4/2 at McAllen* 4/9 at PSJA North 4/12 vs. Rowe* 4/16 vs. PSJA* 4/18 at La Joya *
* District Game
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2019 Veterans Memorial Lady Patriots Softball Team Home and Away Games 3/8 at PSJA SW* 3/12 vs. Palmview* 3/14 at Pioneer* 3/19 vs. Sharyland* 3/22 vs. PSJA Memorial* 3/26 at Roma* 3/29 at Rio Grande City
4/2 vs. PSJA SW* 4/5 at Palmview* 4/9 vs. Pioneer 4/12 at Sharyland* 4/16 at PSJA Memorial* 4/18 vs. Roma * * District Game
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SPORTS PREVIEW - 2019 SPRING EDITION
PAGE - 4
2019 Sharyland Pioneer Lady Diamondbacks Softball Team
2019 Sharyland Lady Rattlers Softball Team
Home and Away Games 3/5 vs. PSJA SW * 3/8 at Palmview* 3/12 vs. Rattlers* 3/14 vs. Mission Veterans* 3/19 at PSJA Memorial * 3/22 vs. Roma * 3/26 at Rio Grande City *
3/29 at PSJA SW * 4/2 vs. Palmview* 4/5 at Rattlers* 4/9 at Mission Veterans* 4/12 vs. PSJA Memorial * 4/16 at Roma * 4/18 vs. Rio Grande City *
Home and Away Games 3/5 vs. Palmview* 3/8 at Roma* 3/12 at Pioneer* 3/14 vs Rio Grande City * 3/19 at Mission Veterans* 3/22 vs PSJA SW * 3/26 at PSJA Memorial *
* District Game
* District Game
Good Luck To All The Teams! Alberto Vela, R. Ph. 583-2700 1242 E. Bus. 83, #7 Mission, TX
3/29 at Palmview* 4/2 vs. Roma* 4/5 vs. Pioneer* 4/9 at Rio Grande City * 4/12 vs. Mission Veterans* 4/16 at PSJA SW * 4/18 vs. PSJA Memorial *
Fred Moron, R. Ph. 581-5499 2120 E. Griffin Pkwy. Mission, TX
SPORTS PREVIEW - 2019 SPRING EDITION
2019 Palmview Lady Lobos Softball Team
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2019 Juarez - Lincoln Lady Huskies Softball Team
Home and Away Games 3/5 at Sharyland * 3/8 vs. Pioneer * 3/12 at Mission Veterans* 3/14 vs. PSJA Memorial* 3/19 at Roma* 3/22 vs. Rio Grande City* 3/26 at PSJA SW*
3/29 vs. Sharyland 4/2 at Pioneer * 4/5 vs. Mission Veterans * 4/9 at PSJA Memorial* 4/12 vs. Roma* 4/16 at Rio Grande City* 4/18 vs. PSJA SW *
Home and Away Games 3/5 at Rowe * 3/12 at La Joya 3/26 vs. PSJA *
4/2 vs. Rowe* 4/12 at La Joya* 4/18 at PSJA *
* District Game
* District Game
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2019 La Joya Lady Coyotes SoftballTeam Home and Away Games 3/5 vs. McAllen Memorial * 3/29 vs. PSJA * 3/8 at McAllen * 4/2 at McAllen Memorial* 3/12 vs. Juarez-Lincoln* 4/5 vs. McAllen* 3/14 vs. Mercedes* 4/12 at Juarez-Lincoln* 3/19 at PSJA North * 4/16 at Rowe * 3/22 vs. Rowe * 4/18 vs. Mission * 3/26 at Mission * * District Game
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SPORTS PREVIEW - 2019 SPRING EDITION
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Big 7 baseball shaping up for season in the spotlight La Joya, Mission, Sharyland ISD features THE some of Valley’s best SCHOOLS
BIG7
By Bryan Ramos
Big 7 Baseball is set to shine this year as Districts 31-5A and 30-6A feature some of the best the Rio Grande Valley has to offer. A season ago, four Big 7 baseball teams advanced to the postseason. With league play right around the corner, they’ll be looking to increase that number with successful seasons in 2019. District 31-5A Mission Veterans Patriots The Patriots’ five-year streak of winning district championships came to an end last season as Mission Veterans finished 6-10 in league play and missed out on the playoffs entirely. The 2019 squad will be looking to put the Patriots back where they belong as 31-5A play begins. The Patriots return five starters, four who earned all-district recognition a season ago. Seniors 1B/3B/ DH Randall Ledbetter, OF Gus Garza and SS/P Alex Guajardo will lead the way for the Patriots. They’ll face an uphill battle, however, as Sharyland, La Joya Palmview, Sharyland Pioneer and Rio Grande City all roll out teams capable of reaching the playoffs. La Joya Palmview Lobos 2018 was a down year for the Lobos, but with 10 players with significant experience returning, they’re out to turn things around. Senior captains C Albino Villareal, P/1B Erbey Polanco and SS/3B Eduardo Rios are in position to put up solid numbers after making the move down to 31-5A from 30-6A. The Lobos also received a boost as Jonathon Martinez, a former La Joya Coyote P/1B, joined the program, adding another solid bat and arm to the Palmview lineup and rotation. The Lobos have a team that should compete for a playoff spot and see a significant increase from last year’s 2-12 district record. Sharyland Pioneer Diamondbacks The Sharyland Pioneer Diamondbacks were the district’s most improved team a season ago as head coach Casey Smith took over the program, leading to its first playoff berth in school history. The Diamondbacks went 9-7 and advanced to the second round of the postseason after being crowned Bi-district
champions with a 2-1 series win over Brownsville Veterans. Much of last year’s 24-13-1 team, the best in program history, are back, making Sharyland Pioneer one of the teams to watch in the Valley. Senior OF/P Johnny Lugo is looking to build off his Second Team All-State and 31-5A Offensive MVP honors, while senior SS/P Jacob Rosales, a First Team All-District selection, gives the Diamondbacks one of the top duos in RGV baseball. This season, the Diamondbacks have the look of a team that will compete for a district title, which would make more history at Pioneer. Sharyland Rattlers The Sharyland Rattlers are coming off a 12-4 season and return nine key players. Head coach Barton Bickerton had four players named to the AllDistrict First Team in Juan Lopez, Martin Vazquez, Lalo Salinas and Pepe Contreras, who also earned All-State honors. The Rattlers won the Port Isabel-Los Fresnos Tournament to start the season and have played good ball leading up to district play. Sharyland should be a favorite to lead the district as they have one of the most talented rosters from top to bottom across the Valley. District 30-6A La Joya Juarez-Lincoln Huskies The Juarez-Lincoln Huskies finished at the bottom of District 30-6A in 2018. Five players return from last year’s down season and they’re determined to turn things around. Sophomore P/OF Ricky Castaneda was named the district’s Co-Newcomer of the Year, and along with juniors C
Edwin Contreras and OF/P Jair Contreras, 30-6A honorable mentions, gives the Huskies a foundation to start the turnaround for Juarez-Lincoln baseball. Mission Eagles The Mission Eagles return nine seniors in 2019 as the roster is loaded with talent and experience from top to bottom. The Eagles went 8-4 a season ago and won their first round playoff matchup before falling in round two, leaving this group searching for a taste of round three. Senior 2B/P Andy Martinez was the 30-6A Offensive Player of the Year and named to the First Team All-State after driving in 30 RBIs and batting .510. Nine other Eagles earned All-District honors, setting the Eagles up for their second consecutive successful season. Head Coach Rick Lozano has been in charge for 16 years at Mission High and has a team on his hands that should contend for a district title and one of four playoff spots up for grabs. La Joya Coyotes The La Joya Coyotes went 8-4 in district play a season ago, but fell in the opening round of the playoffs. The Coyotes return five starters from that team, all who earned some sort of All-District recognition, and they’re hungry to pick up a playoff series win. Senior OF Edward Jake Moreno was a firstteamer, sophomore Adan Garcia was named 306A’s Co-Newcomer of the Year, and Elias Morals, Jr. Rodriguez and Anthony Pena were named to the second team. With McAllen High, PSJA High, Mission High and McAllen Rowe in the mix, the Coyotes will have to fight their way through district to lock up another playoff berth as 30-6A shapes up to be one of the most competitive in Valley baseball.
SPORTS PREVIEW - 2019 SPRING EDITION
2019 La Joya Coyotes Baseball Team
2019 Palmview Lobos Baseball Team
Home and Away Games
Home and Away Games 3/12 at Sharyland* 3/15 vs. Sharyland * 3/19 vs. Pioneer* 3/22 at Pioneer* 3/26 at Mission Veterans * 3/29 vs. Mission Veterans * 4/2 vs. PSJA Memorial*
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3/5 at PSJA * 3/12 vs. Mcallen Memorial* 3/15 at Mcallen * 3/19 vs. Juarez- Lincoln* 3/22 at PSJA North* 3/26 vs. Rowe* 3/29 at Mission*
4/5 at PSJA Memorial* 4/9 at Roma * 4/12 vs. Roma * 4/16 vs. Rio Grande City* 4/18 at Rio Grande City* 4/23 at PSJA SW* 4/26 vs. PSJA SW* * District Game
4/2 vs. PSJA* 4/5 at Mcallen Memorial* 4/9 vs. Mcallen * 4/12 at Juarez- Lincoln* 4/16 vs. PSJA North* 4/18 at Rowe* 4/23 vs. Mission* * District Game
The Best of Luck To All La Joya Teams!
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PAGE - 8
SPORTS PREVIEW - 2019 SPRING EDITION
Wishing you
The Best of Luck This Season!
Ramiro J. Rodriguez, Jr. Robert A Salinas Mayor Pro-Tem Mayor
Jaime Aranda Councilman
Ruben De Leon Councilman
Israel Silva Councilman
Ofelia Peña-Perez Councilwoman
4417 North Shary Rd. • Palmhurst, TX • (956)583-8697 www.cityofpalmhursttx.com
SPORTS PREVIEW - 2019 SPRING EDITION
2019 Mission Eagles Baseball Team
2019 Veterans Memorial Patriots Baseball Team
Home and Away Games 3/5 at Mcallen Memorial* 3/12 vs Mcallen* 3/15 at Juarez Lincoln* 3/22 at Rowe* 3/29 vs. La Joya *
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Home and Away Games 3/4 vs. Edinburg North 3/26 vs. Palmview* 3/29 at Palmview* 4/2 at Pioneer*
4/2 vs. McAllen Memorial* 4/5 at Mcallen * 4/9 at Juarez Lincoln* 4/16 vs. Rowe* 4/23 at La Joya*
4/5 vs. Pioneer * 4/9 vs. Sharyland* 4/12 at Sharyland2019_B* * District Game
* District Game
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SPORTS PREVIEW - 2019 SPRING EDITION
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2019 Sharyland Pioneer Diamondbacks Baseball Team Home and Away Games 3/12 vs. PSJA SW* 3/14 at PSJA SW* 3/19 at Palmview* 3/22 vs. Palmview* 3/26 vs. Sharyland Rattlers * 3/29 at Sharyland Rattlers * 4/2 vs. Mission Veterans*
4/5 at Mission Veterans* 4/9 at PSJA Memorial * 4/12 vs. PSJA Memorial * 4/16 vs. Roma* 4/18 at Roma* 4/23 at Rio Grande City* 4/26 vs. Rio Grande City*
* District Game
2019 Sharyland Rattlers Baseball Team Home and Away Games 3/12 vs. Palmview* 3/15 at Palmview * 3/19 at Roma* 3/22 vs. Roma* 3/26 at Pioneer* 3/29 vs. Pioneer* 4/2 vs. Rio Grande City*
4/5 at Rio Grande City* 4/9 at Mission Veterans * 4/12 vs. Mission Veterans * 4/16 vs. PSJA SW* 4/18 at PSJA SW* 4/23 at PSJA Memorial* 4/26 vs. PSJA Memorial* * District Game
SPORTS PREVIEW - 2019 SPRING EDITION
PAGE - 11
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2019 Juarez - Lincoln Huskies Baseball Team Home and Away Games 3/5 at PSJA North* 3/12 at Rowe* 3/15 vs. Mission* 3/19 at La Joya* 3/22 vs. Mcallen Memorial* 3/26 at Mcallen* 3/29 vs. PSJA*
4/2 at PSJA North 4/5 vs. Rowe* 4/9 at. Mission* 4/12 vs. La Joya* 4/16 at Mcallen Memorial* 4/18 vs. Mcallen* 4/23 at PSJA
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SPORTS PREVIEW - 2019 SPRING EDITION
SPORTS PREVIEW - 2019 SPRING EDITION
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SPORTS PREVIEW - 2019 SPRING EDITION
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Big 7 Boys Soccer searching for district success By Bryan Ramos
Big 7 Boys Soccer features some of the best the Valley has to offer and the race for the District 30-6A and 315A championships is shaping up to be interesting from start to finish. Here’s a breakdown of the Big 7 Boys Soccer previewing each team in district play.
District 31-5A Sharyland Rattlers The Sharyland Rattlers are back and reloaded with another strong team and in position to finish top two in the 31-5A standings. Sharyland has had a successful start to district play as they opened up with a 3-0 record with wins
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over Palmview (2-0), Roma (3-0) and Pioneer (10-0). Against Pioneer, junior forward Alonso Gonzalez exploded for seven goals to lead Sharyland to a dominant 10-0 win. Jorge Morales and Aldo Rosales have found the back of the net in two games, while Alex Castello, a First Team All-Area Defender from
SCHOOLS
a season ago, has one goal and has played outstanding defense. The Rattlers will be at the front of the district race and eager to establish themselves as a powerhouse in once again.
Pioneer Diamondbacks
The Pioneer Diamondbacks have shown improvement each year,
See BOYS SOCCER Pg. 16
SPORTS PREVIEW - 2019 SPRING EDITION
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2019 Palmview Lobos Soccer Team
2019 Juarez-Lincoln Huskies Soccer Team
2019 La Joya Coyotes Soccer Team
2019 Veterans Memorial Patriots Soccer Team
SPORTS PREVIEW - 2019 SPRING EDITION
PAGE - 16
from pg. 14
BOYS SOCCER
and after a 2-0 start in 31-5A, look well on their way to another playoff appearance. The Diamondbacks picked up close wins over Palmview and PSJA Southwest before falling to the rival Sharyland Rattlers. Despite a rough night in the first meeting with their rival, the Diamondbacks are poised to bounce back and gain back some respect through winning on the field. Pioneer is one of the team’s to beat in 315A and should finish in the top four playing win-or-go home basketball in postseason.
Mission Veterans Patriots
The Patriots could be a team that catches people by surprise as Mission Veterans is off to a good start so far in 2019. The Patriots opened up with a 2-0 shutout of Rio Grande City, but fell the following game to PSJA Southwest. While Sharyland, Pioneer and PSJA Southwest appear to be the strongest teams in District 31-5A, the Patriots
are capable of pulling off an upset and claiming one of the four playoff spot up for grabs.
Palmview Lobos
Palmview plays a physical style of soccer that can cause problems for opponents, and in their first year in 315A, the Lobos hope to shake things up. The Lobos dropped their first two games of district play to Sharyland and Pioneer, two projected playoff teams, but responded with a big 4-3 win over Mission Veterans on Feb. 5 to add one to the win column in 31-5A. Palmview faces an uphill climb to the postseason in District 31-5A, but there’s no doubt the Lobos have the ability to beat any team on any given night.
District 30-6A Juarez-Lincoln Huskies
The Huskies and Head Coach Victor Ramos have built a winning tradition over at Juarez-Lincoln and nothing has changed entering district play in 2019. Juarez-Lincoln has outscored
their first three district opponents by a combined score of 13-3 as Sergio Escareno leads the Huskies with three goals in 30-6A play. Nicolas Diaz and Ernesto Salinas are not far behind with three and two goals of their own for Juarez-Lincoln. The Huskies are one of the top teams, not just in their district but in the entire Valley, and are chasing district and postseason championships. Juarez-Lincoln will battle through 306A against other top teams like Mission and La Joya, as their district is shaping up to be amongst the toughest in the RGV.
Mission Eagles
The Mission Eagles are one of the Valley’s best on the pitch and they’re out to prove it in 2019. The Eagles return two All-Area honorees in midfielder Allen Palafox and goalkeeper Gabriel Castillo who lead the perennial playoff contender in the pursuit of a district championship. The Eagles opened up district play with a 5-1 win over McHi and 4-3 win
in penalty kicks over Memorial to get off to a hot start. Mission’s lone district loss came at the hands of the JuarezLincoln Huskies, who the Eagles will have a second chance at on March 1 at Tom Landry Stadium. Sebastian Montes has three goals in two games while Aaron Rodriguez has punched in two to lead the Mission Eagle attack. With a talented roster from top to bottom, the Eagles are eyeing a district championship when it’s all said and done.
La Joya Coyotes
A first round playoff loss ended the Coyotes’ season a year ago, but through three district games, they’ve shown they can win the close one. La Joya jumped out to a 3-0 district record with a 3-2 (PKs) win over Memorial, 1-0 win over PSJA, and a 4-3 victory over McHi. The Coyotes can see their path to the playoffs, but sitting at 3-0, La Joya looks like the can challenge teams like Juarez-Lincoln and Mission High for the District 30-6A Championship.
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SPORTS PREVIEW - 2019 SPRING EDITION
2019 Sharyland Rattlers Soccer Team
PAGE - 17
2019 Mission Eagles Soccer Team 2019 HIGH SCHOOL
Spring Edition
SPORTS PREVIEW
Supplement of the
Vol. 2 No. 1 2019 Spring Edition
2019 Pioneer Diamondbacks Soccer Team
Published by Savy Publishing, LLC
Covering: • Baseball • Softball • Soccer
THEManager: Maria Smith Publisher: Dee Rendon General Designer: Carlos Reyna Sports-writer: Bryan Ramos Photographers: Luciano Guerra & Mario Magallon SCHOOLS
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1217 N. Conway • Mission, Texas 78572 HOME OF THE BIG 7 SCHOOLS (956) 585-4893 • www.ptrgv.com
© Copyright 2019 by Savy Publishing, LLC. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without the express consent of the publisher. All rights reserved.
SPORTS PREVIEW - 2019 SPRING EDITION
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Big 7 Girls Soccer gunning for greatness By Bryan Ramos
District play is underway for Big 7 Girls Soccer and each team has begun their pursuit of a winning season. With Valley high school soccer on the rise, there are multiple Big 7 programs who look like they could be raising district championship and postseason trophies at the end of the season. Here’s a breakdown of the Big 7 Girls Soccer previewing each team in district play. District 31-5A Pioneer Lady Diamondbacks In just five years, the Lady Diamondbacks and the girls soccer program at Pioneer has into an elite contender. Three games through district play this season and they’re already the favorite to take back the 31-5A crown from crosstown rival Sharyland. The Lady Diamondbacks cruised by PSJA Southwest in the district opener 7-0 before shutting out Palmview 2-0. In a matchup between 31-5A championship hopefuls, Pioneer’s Olivia Vasquez and Abby Martinez were able to lead the Lady Diamondbacks 2-1 past the Sharyland Lady Rattlers.
If Pioneer can remain healthy and on point, the Lady Diamondbacks will be in the postseason and looking to get further than last year’s second round exit. Sharyland Lady Rattlers The Lady Rattlers and Head Coach Mario Ribera roll out one of 31-5A’s best 11 this year and have grown accustomed to chasing their goals of district championships and playoff runs. With sophomore Xochitl Nguma spearheading the attack, last year’s Newcomer of the Year, Sharyland is lethal from all angles, especially when fellow sophomore Chloe Ribera gets involved. Ana De La Torre’s senior experience in goal provides valuable leadership for the Lady Rattlers, who are the defending District 31-5A Champions. Mission Veterans Lady Patriots Mission Veterans is one of the District 31-5A teams hoping to compete for a playoff spot, and with a 4-0 win over Rio Grande City and two close losses, the Lady Patriots have shown they can’t be taken lightly. The Lady Patriots will be a tough out for any opponent, and if Mission Veterans can manage to
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pull off an upset or two throughout the season, they could very well claim a playoff spot at the end of the year. Palmview Lady Lobos The Lady Lobos began district play against Sharyland and Pioneer, two of the toughest 31-5A has to offer. After 5-1 and 2-0 losses, Palmview responded with their first district win, a 1-0 victory over Mission Veterans in penalty kicks on Feb. 5. Palmview will be looking to show teams what they’re all about in 2019 as they make the move down from 30-6A to 31-5A. District 30-6A Juarez-Lincoln Lady Huskies With teams like McAllen Memorial and McHi in 306A, the district was already one of the toughest in the RGV. Now, with the Juarez-Lincoln Lady Huskies are looking to put their name right up there next to the Valley’s elite teams. While the Lady Huskies may be one of the youngest teams in District 30-6A, they’re also one of the most talented. The Lady Huskies and Head Coach Ricardo Garza have gotten off to a 3-0 start in district
See GIRLS SOCCER Pg. 23
2019 La Joya Lady Coyotes Soccer Team
SPORTS PREVIEW - 2019 SPRING EDITION
2019 Palmview Lady Lobos Soccer Team
PAGE- 19
2019 Juarez-Lincoln Lady Huskies Soccer Team
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SPORTS PREVIEW - 2019 SPRING EDITION
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2019 Mission Lady Eagles Soccer Team
2019 Veterans Memorial Lady Patriots Soccer Team
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SPORTS PREVIEW - 2019 SPRING EDITION
2019 Sharyland Lady Rattlers Soccer Team
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2019 Pioneer Lady Diamondbacks Soccer Team
SPORTS PREVIEW - 2019 SPRING EDITION
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City of Alton
“The City on the Grow”
Salvador Vela Mayor
Arturo Galvan Jr Ricardo Garza Mayor Pro Tem Commissioner
Wishing You The Best of Luck This Season!
Richard Arevalo Commissioner
Emilio Cantu Jr Commissioner
509 S. Alton Blvd. • Alton, TX 78573 • www.alton-tx.gov • (956) 432-0760
SPORTS PREVIEW - 2019 SPRING EDITION from pg. 18
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GIRLS SOCCER
play, outscoring the opposition by a combined 16-2. Sophomores Ashley Segura, Pricila Hernandez and freshman Stephanie Jimenez have been dominant for Juarez-Lincoln early on with junior Melanie Olivares providing experience and another scoring threat for the Lady Huskies. The Lady Huskies were bounced in the first round of last year’s playoffs, but this Juarez-Lincoln team has a different feel and is determined to compete for a district championship. Mission Lady Eagles The district schedule has been brutal for the Mission Lady Eagles as they’ve opened 30-6A play against McAllen Memorial, McHi and Juarez-Lincoln, three locks for the state playoffs later this spring. The Lady Eagles have failed to score against the three powerhouses they’ve faced, but can still salvage their season if they pick up some wins over the 30-6A’s lesser competition. La Joya Lady Coyotes The Lady Coyotes got off to a good start in District 30-6A with a big 5-0 win over PSJA, but have since fallen twice at the hands of Memorial and McHi. Kayla Ochoa scored La Joya’s lone goal in a against 6-1 loss to Memorial, and she plays a key role in leading the Lady Coyotes attack. After missing the playoffs a year ago, the Lady Coyotes will be on the hunt for a top four finish and a postseason berth.
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SPORTS PREVIEW - 2019 SPRING EDITION