From top to bottom, 30-5A is probably the toughest district in the Valley.
No game is a cakewalk when No. 1 Sharyland and No. 2 La Joya are in the same league. Those teams have pro and D-I prospects on their rosters. I am going to go out on a limb, I am not sure how much of a risk I’m really taking, and say one of those teams will win the district and the other will finish second.
Of course, you can’t count out McAllen High. You have to expect the Bulldogs to make the playoffs.
Then there is a battle for the fourth and final playoff spot. I thought Rio Grande City had the upperhand here but the Rattlers lost to Memorial, and Rowe has played tough. Of course, a couple of those coaches think their team will be the one to sneak in there. The battle for fourth place might be the most interesting chase down the stretch.
TRACK & FIELD
I ran into Valley View basketball coach Clarisse Arredondo she told me I need to give some props to discus thrower Lanie Evans. Evans, who is the daughter of Tigers coach Dave Evans, has the best mark in the discus with a mark of 129-4.
GIRLS ALL-VALLEY
I have received a couple of comments regarding why Damaris Rodriguez was left off the All-Valley team.
This was not based on just stats. If that was the case both Becca Valdez and Krsity Guerra would not have been on the team. I explained it in a past blog about what goes into this decision. There is a lot that goes into it and it is something I really think about, and I am very confident about my choices.
I have come to realize I can’t please everyone. I try to be as balanced as possible and look at the entire picture.
Rodriguez is a great and smart player and deserves to be at UTPA. She received a lot of accolades while she played at Hidalgo and that was well deserved.
Damaris transfered to an already loaded team with some really big names on the Lady Bulldogs. It is hard to really guage how much of an impact she really had because the team was already good. Obvioulsy, she added to how dominant the team was.
I likened her role this year to a Tony Parker or Derek Fisher. Both smart point guards who provide court leadership but you will not see them on the NBA All-First Team, second team or third team. It was just the type of year she had.
I commend Damaris and her team for a great season.
