Boys’ basketball wraps up as playoffs begin
Coyotes and Lobos Playoff Preview
The boys’ basketball season is coming to a close. For some teams, the road to the UIL playoffs has come to an end, while for others, the journey continues. Among those still left are the Bib 7’s La Joya Coyotes and the Palmview Lobos, both looking to make some noise in the playoffs.
La Joya Coyotes
The La Joya Coyotes wrapped up District 30-6A play in third place with a 7-3 record. While their playoff seeding was already set, they approached their final game with something to prove. On Tuesday, they traveled to Edinburg to take on the Bobcats, who were tied for first place in the district. After a hard-fought battle, the Coyotes forced overtime at 54-54. At the end of the overtime period, they were on top, edging out the Bobcats 59-57.
Recalling the game, Progress Times spoke with head coach Eric Montalvo, who emphasized the importance of ending the season on a high note, “We wanted to have a good game so we can have a good run going into the playoffs. That was our main goal.”
Montalvo spoke about the importance of the Coyotes ensuing playoff run, “I have a couple of seniors that have been with me for three years already, some four, so it’s just good to try to send them out on a good note. We’ve made the playoffs three years in a row, that hasn’t happened at La Joya High School, so that was one goal achieved, and they’re excited about that. I just wanna keep it going for them because they’ve worked hard.”
Looking ahead, Montalvo remains focused on the team’s mentality, “It’s always been: Work every day and take it one game at a time. We had a rough patch during preseason. We had a tough schedule and we set that up purposely because I knew district play was going to be tough. We talked about it all year long, don’t worry too much about your record. Just worry about the next game.”
The Coyotes’ three consecutive playoff appearances mark a historic achievement for the school. Senior Daniel Trevino, a four-year starter, has played a crucial role in the team’s success over his tenure. Coach Montalvo praised Trevino’s impact, “We’re grateful for him. He’s been great for us this year. He’s leading this group, and controlling the games for us. It’s always exciting to see him play.”
Trevino has been a standout performer for the Coyotes, averaging 15 points, three rebounds, two assists, and two steals per game. His leadership and consistency have been instrumental in the Coyotes’ overall success in the program.
The Coyotes’ first round playoff opponent had not been determined at press time. Tonight, the Brownsville Veterans Memorial Patriots will play the San Benito Greyhounds. If the Patriots win, the Coyotes will face the Hanna Golden Eagles. If the Greyhounds win, they will take on the Harlingen Cardinals. Time and date will be determined once the matchup is set. Regardless of the opponent, Trevino, Coach Montalvo, and the rest of the Coyotes are ready for the challenge.
Palmview Lobos
The Palmview Lobos secured second place in District 30-5A with a strong 12-4 record. They capped off the regular season with a dominant 96-44 victory over the Juarez-Lincoln Huskies. In his final district game, senior Joe Gonzalez put on a scoring clinic, exploding for an incredible 51 points.
Gonzalez has been a standout all season, proving himself as one of the top players in the Rio Grande Valley. He has averaged 20 points, four rebounds, three assists, and two steals per game, solidifying himself as a premier player for the Lobos.
Led by Gonzalez and head coach Albert Carrillo, the Lobos are set to face the Corpus Christi Veterans Memorial Eagles in the first round of the playoffs on Tuesday, February 18th, at a neutral location. The game will be played at Alice High School at 6:00 p.m.
The Rest of the Big 7
With the playoffs set, several teams have reached the end of their seasons.
Mission Eagles
The Eagles finished District 30-5A play in fifth place with a 7-9 record, narrowly missing out on a playoff spot despite a strong start to the season. They’ll return key contributors next season, including Leon Villarreal, Jared Castro, Pablo Zapata, and Pablo Trevino, along with others, giving them a solid foundation to build upon.
Veterans Memorial Patriots
The Patriots wrapped up their season in seventh place. With a roster full of underclassmen, they gained valuable experience that could set them up for future success. Key players, like Aurelio Chavero, Josh Ojeda, and Devin Soliz will return next season, hoping to lead the team on a playoff run.
Pioneer Diamondbacks
The Diamondbacks finished just outside the playoffs, placing fifth in 31-5A with an 8-8 record. They have a mix of returning players and graduating seniors, but their biggest asset heading into next season will be standout player Muhamed Shaath, who will be back for his senior year. With him leading the way, the Diamondbacks will aim to reach the postseason.
Sharyland Rattlers
The Rattlers ended their season in seventh place in their District 31-5A. With several key players graduating, the team will be looking to rebuild and develop their underclassmen for a stronger run next year.
Juarez-Lincoln Huskies
The Huskies finished at the bottom of District 30-5A’s standings, but their season wasn’t without its bright spots. With several key contributors returning next year, they hope to make strides in the right direction and continue their development.
