Most Valuable Player
Bianca Torre, senior, Harlingen South: I tried to find arguments against picking her against MVP but she probably meant more for her team than anyone else and is arguably the best player in the Valley. The numbers dont lie and everyone I talked to about this thought she was lock.
She was really nervous when I interviewed her and she was very humble about it.
Newcomer of the Year
Brittanie Nelson-Best, fresh., McAllen Rowe: There were no real standouts. This award came down to potential. Brittanie did a lot for Rowe down the stretch
Coach of the Year
Lottie Zarate, Santa Rosa: She had the biggets impact and the Lady Warriors made the biggest turn around and made history.
First Team
Guard — Kristy Guerra, junior, Roma: My riskiest pick. Here is one of those players who if out of the game, her team struggles. Put up good numbers and leader of a big turn around in Roma.
Guard — Lyndsie Currie, senior, McAllen High: I enjoyed watching her shoot. She has a distinct shot and easily one of the top two or three shooters in the Valley. She is a better defender than most give her credit for.
Forward — Andi Garza, senior, McAllen High: She is an awesome player. It was fun to watch her dominate the second half of the area round game against Economedes. She made it look so easy sometimes.
Forward — Becca Valdez, senior, McAllen High: She is a tough player and proved she could play with the talent up north.
Post — Victoria Gonzalez, junior, Hidalgo: The double-double threat returns again next year. She is right up there with Torre as a player to watch in 08-09.
Second Team
Guard — Andrea Longoria, senior, Sharyland; Laura Rodriguez, junior, Mission Veterans; Ali Bills, junior, McAllen High; Vanessa Beltran, senior, Brownsville Pace.
Forward — Morgan Brown, senior, Edinburg Economedes; Emma Saenz, junior, Weslaco East; Jillian Briones, San Benito; Kimberly Armstrong, Weslaco High.
Center — Mariana Mascorro, senior, Hidalgo. Yadira Salinas, junior, Edinburg High
This was a tough list to come up with. I put a lot of thought into it. There were some good players left off the list and I am sure people will let me know. I’ll see feedback positive and negative.
Peter,
No love for Coach Casso? I saw the high school video you did but Mchi is so dominant because she is a great coach. Its her work ethic that makes her have one of the best teams regardless of the year. McDaniel voted Coach Filoteo and thats because he has been a good coach, I just thought you could do the same for Coach Casso.
Also,
Damaris Rodriguez did not make your first or second team guards? This girl is the most unselfish player in the valley and a major reason why Mchi reached the regional semifinal. Plus, she has many awards ranging from back to back district MVP to 1st team all valley for three years, 1st team all region, 4th team all state. Plus, UTPA wants Rodriguez to play and thats a Divison 1 college. So yes, I believe it was very risky for you to pick the girl from Roma over Damaris.
How come Dama didnt make your list? She is the best dribbler/passer in the valley and she has been to AT LEAST the regional quarterfinals every year since her freshman year. Peter, I believe you picked these girls solely on stats than anything else. What did the other girls have that Dama didnt? You even interviewed her on your webcast too. If what basketball fan said was true then thats good that UTPA wants to play for her. You know that UTPA does not usually recruit any girls from the valley and even less two from the same year and far less from the same school. Cindy Sierra and Marah Guzman, both Valley MVP’s were not wanted by UTPA so what does this tell you?
How did Dama not make this list? If you are adding Valdez to your all valley team because of her playoff success then Currie shouldnt be there because she was non existant in all of her playoff games. Mr. Rasmussen I believe you are basing your selections on stats more than anything else. All Valley team means that you have the best 5 or 6 girls from the valley not the 5 or 6 girls who like to ball hog and be selfish players.