High School Sports Magazine-January 2008 Issue

PREVIEWPREVIEW2007-08’ BASKETBALL2007-08’ BASKETBALL

www.highschoolsportsmagazine.netVolume 3 Issue 6>>>Dec. 29, 2007-Jan. 24, 2008

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

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>>Game Schedules>>State Champions>>District Predictions

Who’s Really

No.1?Can EdinburgWin 31-5A?

WeslacoCan theyREPEAT?

High Flyin’

HAWKSFavored?

McAllen H.S.Title City?

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Register now forspringcourses.

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Apply for financial aid at www.fafsa.ed.gov.For more information about financial aid options availableat TSTC visit www.harlingen.tstc.edu/financialaid.

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HSSM BASKETBALL PREVIEW 4

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Volume 3 Issue 6December 29, 2007

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HoopsDayVol 3 Issue 6 December 29, 2007

Cover: RGV Viper Gabe Muoneke. (HSSM IMages)

26Basketball Season. The Hidalgo Pirateswill be favored to make the State 3APlayoffs in 2008 with their tough

defense. (HSSM IMages/David A. Amador)

4 Legends Made.San Benito Head Coach Roy Gar-cia Still Loves the Game.by David A. Amador

23 The PredictionsHanna, Edinburg, McAllen Memo-rial Teams To Beat in their Dis-tricts? Can PSJA North win it?

10 31-5A DominatesRGV Valley Teams Enter District Play with hopes of winning a state title in 2008.

32 NBA D-LeagueRGV Vipers Have Fans Excited with Area Schools attending.

24 State ChampionsCan Dallas South Oak Cliff and Nazareth Make it three in a rowin 2008?

31 Inside SportsGirls Can Jump Too. HSSM Columnist Jason Martinez talks about jumping techniques.

33 On the SidelinesNew Year Wishes. Maybe..Touch-down Dave Talks about the New Year in 2008.

F

E

A

T

U

R

E

S

Going Somewhere?

HSSMSPORTSTEAM

Happy Holidays and a New Year!

HoopsDay

WINEAGING

2007 HSSM BASKETBALL PREVIEW 9

B Y D A V I D A. A M A D O R

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.

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

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

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 demand-ing 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.”

>HSSM POLLS1. Harlingen South2. Edinburg3. PSJA North4. Brownsville Hanna5. San Benito6. McAllen Memorial7. McAllen8. Weslaco9. Mercedes10. Brownsville Pace

www.HSSMONLINE.net 10

TOP TENTOP TEN2007-08 HSSM Basketball Preview

31-5ADominatesPolls

31-5ADominatesPolls

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)

(Story on next page)

( M c A l l e n , T x ) - T h e Harlingen South Hawks (17-3) looks like the

825 Ed Carey DriveHarlingen425-5400

1805 East Ruben TorresBrownsville

425-5400

2017 W. Exp 83Weslaco969-8630

2625 N. 23rd Ste 200McAllen682-6141

2002 N. ConwayMission

519-8389


How Valley Teams Fared in 2007Class 5A Bi-DistrictMcAllen Rowe 52 Laredo Alexander 58San Benito 57 PSJA 41Edinburg 92 Brownsville Porter 63Laredo United wins McAllenMcAllen Memorial 54 Laredo Nixon 50PSJA North 64 Los Fresnos 60 OTWeslaco 56 Harlingen South 40Sharyland 53 Laredo Martin 66Class 4A Bi-DistrictEdcouch-Elsa ByeTulso-Midway 53 Roma 62Mission Veterans 62 CC Calallen 49Class 3A Bi-DistrictRio Hondo 57 Zapata 48Raymondville BYELa Feria 32 San Diego 32Hidalgo BYEClass 1A Bi-DistrictLa Villa BYESan Perlita 67 Nordheim 53San Isidro 60 Runge 51

Class 5A AreaSan Benito 57 Laredo Alexander 69Laredo United 63 Edinburg 59McAllen Memorial over PSJA NorthWeslaco 68 Laredo Martin 51Class 4A AreaEdcouch-Elsa 62 Calhoun 71 OTCC Moody 63 Roma 67SA Harlandale 56 Mission Veterans 52 OTClass 3A AreaAransas Pass 74 Hidalgo 51Raymondville 33 Cuero 52Rio Hondo 45 Gonzales 61Class 1A AreaLa Villa 77 Louise 50San Perlita 48 D’Hanis 76San Isidro 56 Richland Springs 51

Class 5A Regional QuarterfinalsWeslaco 46 McAllen Memorial 32Class 5A Regional Semifinals SA Madison 68 Weslaco 34Class 4A Regional QuarterfinalsRoma 52 Calhoun 45Regional SemifinalsNew Braunfels Canyon 67 Roma 37Class 1A Regional Quarterfinals-Div ILa Villa 54 Sabinal 52Regional SemifinalsLa Villa 56 Thorndale 72

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

Esteban Arriola Noe De La Rosa

Johnathon Chapa Marty Guevarra

Eli Perez Oscar Garcia

Peyton Hayes Devin Remmenga


8.0 rebounds for the Hawks. Last year the Hawks finished fourth in 31-5A 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 32-5A title in 2005-06 and lost in the second round after receiving a bye in the Class 5A playoffs to Laredo Alexander 83-73. 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

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

Tough Rattler Defense. The Sharyland Rattlers hope to improve in District 30-5A after last year’s third place finish. The Rattlers made it to the 2007 State 5A playoffs last season. (HSSM IMages)

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.

Tough Rattler Defense. The Sharyland Rattlers hope to improve in District 30-5A after last year’s third place finish. The Rattlers made it to the 2007 State 5A playoffs last season. (HSSM IMages)


ATTN: TEXAS MOMSYOUNG DRIVER DISCOUNTS UP TO 40%

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 75-71. 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,”

2007 HSSM BASKETBALL PREVIEW 17 DECEMBER 29, 2007

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)


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)


to McAllen Memorial (40-49) and Sharyland (47-58) to stand at 0-2. 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 32-4A 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,

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

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 10-9 season to date but he

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.

Javier Paez Memo Recio

Peter Rodriguez Mark Puente

Mark Garza Isaac De la Fuente

Adam Brown Ben Diaz

2007 HSSM BASKETBALL PREVIEW 22 2007 HSSM BASKETBALL PREVIEW 23 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. Ama-dor and Mrs. Rivas were present. (HSSM Images)

How They’ll

FINISHDISTRICT BY DISTRICT32-5AAAAA1. BRO HANNA2. SAN BENITO3. LOS FRESNOS4. WESLACO5. BRO PACE6. BRO PORTER7. BRO RIVERA8. BRO LOPEZ

31-5AAAAA1. EDINBURG2. PSJA NORTH3. HAR SOUTH4. ED NORTH5. HARLINGEN6. ECONOMEDES7. PSJA8. PSJA MEM

30-5AAAAA1. MCALLEN MEM2. MCALLEN3. SHARYLAND4. MCALLEN ROWE5. DONNA6. LA JOYA7. RIO GRANDE CITY

32-4AAAA1. MERCEDES2. ED-ELSA3. MISS VETERAN4. ROMA5. WES EAST6. MISSION7. VALLEY VIEW

32-3AAA1. HIDALGO2. LA FERIA3. RIO HONDO4. PORT ISABEL5. PROGRESO

31-3AAA1. ZAPATA2. RAYMONDVILLE3. SAN DIEGO4. LYFORD5. FALFURRIAS

2007-08 BOYS STANDINGS

2006-07 GIRLS STANDINGS32-5AAAAA1. BRO RIVERA2. BRO HANNA3. WESLACO4. BRO PACE5. BRO PORTER6. BRO LOPEZ7. LOS FRESNOS8. SAN BENITO

31-5AAAAA1. HAR SOUTH2. ECONOMEDES3. PSJA NORTH4. EDINBURG5. HARLINGEN6. PSJA MEM7. ED NORTH8. PSJA

30-5AAAAA1. MCALLEN2. SHARYLAND3. DONNA4. MCALLEN MEM5. LA JOYA6. RIO GRANDE CITY

32-4AAAA1. MISSION VETS2. ED-ELSA3. VALLEY VIEW4. WES EAST5. MERCEDES6. ROMA7. MISSION

32-3AAA1. HIDALGO2. LA FERIA3. PROGRESO4. PORT ISABEL5. RIO HONDO

31-3AAA1. ZAPATA2. RAYMONDVILLE3. SAN DIEGO4. LYFORD5. FALFURRIAS

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

Note: The top four teams from every district in Class 5A now advance to the state playoffs.2007 HSSM BASKETBALL PREVIEW 22 2007 HSSM BASKETBALL PREVIEW 23 DECEMBER 29, 2007


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, Hardin-Jefferson 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 1990

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 1992 5A: San Marcos 45, Duncanville 43 4A: Canyon Randall 43, Georgetown 42 3A: Canyon 49, Winnsboro 29 2A: Panhandle 52, Marlon 49 1A: Celeste 70, Brock 57 1993 5A: Amarillo 68, Corpus Christi King 65 4A: Austin Westlake 48, Levelland 40 3A: Dimmitt 59, Dripping Springs 51 2A: Marlon 69, Hamilton 63 1A: Celeste 63, Muenster 38 1994 5A: Amarillo 62, Conroe 46 4A: Waco Midway 52, Lincoln 40 3A: Dripping Springs 64, Waco La Vega 56 2A: Tuscola Jim Ned 31, Hemphill 29 1A: Sudan 40, Jayton 36 1995 5A: Austin Westlake 59, Duncanville 56 (OT) 4A: Cleburne 55, Silsbee 50 3A: Bowie 65, Dripping Springs 50 2A: Ozona 61, Cooper 47 1A: Sudan 66, Alvord 42 1996 5A: Austin Westlake 64, Alief Elsik 60 (2 OT) 4A: Canyon 60, Cedar Hill 34 3A: Groesbeck 63, Slaton 61

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 3A: Comanche 65, Winnsboro 56 2A: Hamilton 54, Ozona 45 1A: Karnack 69, Nazareth 45 1999 5A: Mansfield 65, Corpus Christi Carroll 46 4A: Lincoln 52, Canyon 49 3A: Winnsboro 56, Lufkin Hudson 48 2A: Hughes Springs 61, Salado 33 1A: Vega 70, Valley View 64

2000 5A: Mansfield 69, Plano 43 4A: Canyon 74, Waxahachie 54 3A: Winnsboro 54, Smithville 51 2A: Farwell 47, Brock 35 1A: Nazareth 72, Valley View 56

2001 5A: Mansfield 62, Spring Westfield 49 4A: Plainview 51, Lincoln 40 3A: Winnsboro 51, Abilene Wylie 48 2A: Nacogdoches Central Heights 57, Boyd 56 1A: Nazareth 61, Kennard 44

2002 5A: Mansfield 47, San Antonio Taft 42 4A: Plainview 68, Lincoln 40 3A: Llano 67, Texarkana-Liberty-Eylau 51 2A: Buffalo 48, Abernathy 43 1A-1: Brock 58, LaPoynor 26 1A-2: Nazareth 67, Dodd City 42

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

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PSwww.texashighschoolsportsmagazine.com


State Boys Basketball Tournament Champions (1990-2007)

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 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

UIL TEXAS STATE boyS BASKETBALL PAST TOURNAMENT CHAMPS5A: Kimball 72, Euless Trinity 64 4A: Pampa Arthur 82, Madison 68 3A: Sinton 66, Graham 59 2A: Krum 53, East Chambers 39 1A: Avinger 51, Anderson-Shiro 48 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 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 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

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

www.texashighschoolsportsmagazine.com

TOP TENTOP TEN>HSSM POLLS

1. McAllen2. Harlingen South3. Edinburg Economedes4. Sharyland5. Brownsville Pace6. Hidalgo7. Mission Veterans8. San Benito9. La Feria10. San Isidro

RGV High School Girl’s


Two-PointJinxFor the past three playoff sea-sons, the McAllen Lady Bulldogs have lost all three games by two points. Will Teresa Casso end this jinx in 2008?

2007-08 HSSM Basketball Preview


My New YearWishes, Maybe.

b y D a v i d A. A m a d o r

“Every Athlete Should Be

Tested at all Varsity Levels of Competition...”

W

OnTheSideLines

hat a year. In 2007, I had 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 of the Whopper”. I’m sure they will pay big bucks if you sell “Whoppers” at the

games. Here’s an interesting wish from the bottom of the barrel. New Security Guards at Edcouch-Elsa

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.

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


Monuments and Pre-Needs Sales Available

We Finance Funerals. Easy Plans.

How Valley Girls Teams Fared in 2007Class 5A Bi-District

McAllen Rowe 25 Laredo Nixon 62Brownsville Rivera 41 Economedes 44

Harlingen South 40 San Benito 36Sharyland 48 Laredo Johnson 37McAllen 72 Laredo Cigarroa 46

Weslaco 37 Harlingen 64Edinburg 40 Brownsville Hanna 69

McAllen Memorial 56 Laredo Alexander 82Class 4A Bi-District

Weslaco East BYEMission 23 Alice 43

Mission Veterans 63 Tulso-Midway 69Class 3A Bi-District

Port Isabel 62 Zapata 60La Feria over Raymondville

Hidalgo BYEClass 1A Bi-DistrictLa Villa 39 Pettus 59

San Perlita 76 Waelder 33San Isidro BYEClass 5A Area

Laredo Alexander 55 Brownsville Hanna 50McAllen 64 Harlingen 59

Sharyland 46 Harlingen South 57Laredo Nixon 47 Economedes 31

Class 4A AreaWeslaco East 50 Beeville 57

Class 3A AreaHidalgo 48 Ingelside 34La Feria 44 Gonzales 52

Port Isabel 24 CC West Oso 85Class 1A Area

La Villa 77 Louise 50San Perlita 27 Rochelle 52San Isidro 36 Comstock 45

Class 5A Regional QuarterfinalsMcAllen 63 Laredo Alexander 65

Harlingen South 38 Laredo Nixon 53Class 3A Regional Quarterfinals

Hidalgo 41 CC West Oso 46

(McAllen, Texas)-Jinx? What Jinx? The McAllen Lady Bulldogs find them-selves in unfamiliar terri-tory. 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 Contre-ras, Andi Garza, Ali Bills, Lyndsie Curry, and Re-becca Valdez. Garza av-erages 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 ap-ply tough defense on op-posing teams. Only one question re-mains: Are these Lady Bulldogs good enough to make it to the State 5A Re-gional Tournament? Last year, the Lady Bulldogs

lost to Laredo Alexander 65-63, end-ing 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 quar-terfinals 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

Donna’s Rebecka Rodriguez dribbles past defenders. (HSSM IMages)


Monuments and Pre-Needs Sales Available

We Finance Funerals. Easy Plans.

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

and they will be favored to win it all in District 31-5A. Like the McAl-len Lady Bulldogs, the Lady Hawks have domi-nated teams they have been matched up with and the only team in 31-5A that could chal-lenge 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

Tabitha Rodriguez-RGC Rose Solis-RGCLoreno Rocha-RGC Lesly Lopez-RGC


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

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 fa-vored to win it all again in 2008. Look for more high school basketball coverage at www.highschoolsportsmagazine.net

Monica Cavazos Laura OchoaMyra Morales Erika Amador Vero Hinojosa

HSS

M IM

ages


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 ForcesResearch 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 ground-reaction 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 TechniquesLand 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.

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

For More Information: www.hssmonline.netInside SPORTS

www.RGVIPERS.com 32 2007 HSSM BASKETBALL PREVIEW 33 DECEMBER 29, 2007

AWESOMEAWESOMEValley Fans Say “This is the Real-Thing: It’s Awesome.”Valley Fans Say “This is the Real-Thing: It’s Awesome.”

!!

(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 1999-2004 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 ValleyRio Grande ValleyVipers

Story by David A. Amador

www.RGVIPERS.com 32 2007 HSSM BASKETBALL PREVIEW 33 DECEMBER 29, 2007

AWESOME!!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

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)

Vipers

NBA Developmental league RGVIPERS.com 34

the NBA to work hard and go to college,” he added. Brooks (6-0, 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 Vipers-Tulsa 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)


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 Vipers-Austin 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

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 NBA Houston Rockets No. 1 Draft Pick. Aaron Brooks played only

two games with the Vipers. (HSSM Images/Alec Amador)

Documents

High School Sports Magazine-January 2008 Issue