MISSION – The Sharyland student body preceded Tuesday’s showdown between the Rattlers and the Nikki Rowe Warriors by bringing in a student dressed up as the biblical Moses to lead the crowd in cheers. Apparently the ancient prophet still had a couple of miracles up his sleeve to help the Rattlers outlast the visitors in two overtimes, winning 74-73 in a game long to be remembered by those in attendance. The win puts Sharyland all alone in the top spot for District 30-5A.

“Awesome game,” said Rattler head coach David Keith afterwards. “Hats off to Rowe.”

To achieve the victory, miracles were indeed called for. For one, star guard Jesse Pistokache picked up two fouls in the fourth quarter—the last one in the final minute—forcing the young but talented leader to sit the rest of the fourth and the two overtimes on the sidelines. The mandatory order to the bench was a perceived blow for the Rattlers as Jesse had just picked up a hot shooting touch that allowed the freshman to score 12 second half points after only scoring two in the first. Further, Pistokache’s smooth dribbling skills accompanied his hot hand, leaving his team without his ability to score or calmly lead the offense.

Read more: “Big Six” Tuesday Game of the Night: Shary outlasts Rowe in epic battle

LA JOYA — The cool air was filled with excited chatter as float committee members gathered around the 35-foot flatbed trailer that was going to be used for La Joya Independent School District’s first float to be displayed at the Texas Citrus Fiesta Parade of Oranges on Jan. 28.

For most of the committee members, this was the first time they had seen the trailer.

Irma Neti said it was very exciting to see what they have to work with.

“Our vision is coming together,” she said.

Read more: LJISD makes first float for Citrus Fiesta parade

EDINBURG —Members of the Hidalgo County Courthouse Master Plan Committee met on Wednesday to see layout and site ideas to bring to Hidalgo County commissioners in the next few months when the plan is complete.

During the group’s third brainstorm session, officials discussed the current progress of the project and announced that the ideas discussed will be presented to the general public at four “Precinct Community Forums” starting Feb. 15.

Before beginning the session, consultant Brian Godinez reminded committee members that a meeting held last month between county officials and the City of Edinburg where ERO Architects produced a preliminary draft of the courthouse designs was to update Edinburg officials, “our clients,” on the project.

Read more: Courthouse committee discusses layout

It is hard to say what Fred Sanchez means to Sharyland Football. For the past twelve years Sanchez has worked to turn Sharyland into a powerhouse in the Rio Grande Valley. After numerous bi-district appearances, district championships on the 3A, 4A and 5A levels, the legendary coach decided to end his coaching career to explore other possibilities.

“You know it was time,” said Sanchez in a one-on-one interview. “I had a true peace about it. It’s really best for me and the situation. When it is right, it’s right. Everything was just right.”

Read more: Sanchez leaves Sharyland, reflects on past and future

MISSION — During this week’s board meeting, Sharyland Indepdendent School District trustees hired a new principal for Sharyland High School. Diamantina Chapa retired in December.

Cynthia Sandoval-Wilson, current principal at B.L. Gray Junior High, was selected by board members Tuesday to be the new principal. B.L Gray Junior High recently received a Blue Ribbon Award. Wilson had been a principal at B.L. Gray for nearly seven years. She will start as the new principal on Feb. 1.

Wilson said she looks forward to building a team approach at the high school, but she would also miss B.L. Gray.

“I do see the staff as my family,” she said. “I am looking forward to going to the next level.”

Wilson said she wants to see every student become successful and prepared for post-graduation.

Read more: SISD hires new SHS principal

MISSION — As disturbing as the recent rash of school safety issues in the Rio Grande Valley have been, Mission Consolidated Independent School District (MCISD) officials, like many others, are using each incident as a tool to make possible improvements to MCISD school safety.

“While we try to make the best plans possible and take appropriate measures to deal with many different safety scenarios, there is always something else that can be tweaked to make those plans better,” said Dr. Cornelio Gonzalez, superintendent. “Each time there is an incident like those of recent days, we take a look at the specifics of the event and then look at ourselves, our plans, our procedures (and) our buildings. Often times, we find something to improve upon.”

Read more: MCISD takes lessons from RGV school incidents