Continue reading »]]> By FRANCISCO E. JIMENEZ
Staff Writer
repo...@sbnewspaper.com

Thirteen-year-old Matthew Cuellar of Rio Hondo Junior High was invited to an FBU (Football University) football camp in Dublin, Ohio. (Courtesy photo)

RIO HONDO – A Rio Hondo Junior High football player has been invited to attend a football camp in Dublin, Ohio after an impressive showing at a football camp in Midland, Texas over the weekend.

Matthew Cuellar, 13, attended the invitation-only Football University (FBU) camp in Midland from Thursday, June 6 through Saturday, June 8.

At the camp, Cuellar was among a select few who were invited to attend the national camp, called Top Gun, in Dublin in July.

“They hold the FBU Camps across the U.S., I believe they have somewhere between 45 and 50,” said Carlos Cuellar, Matthew’s father. “From those camps, they select the top kids that they believe qualify for what they call the Top Gun Camp. It’s basically the kids from all the camps held throughout the U.S. will be at this one particular camp.”

According to Carlos, if his son is successful again he will be invited to play in the Eastbay All American Bowl held in San Antonio every January.

Want the whole story? Pick up a copy of the June 12 edition of the San Benito News, or subscribe to our E-Edition by clicking here.

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Jackie Elizondo and Jamail Garza, San Benito High School student athletes, have been selected as the 2013 San Benito News Sportsmen of the Year. (Staff photo by Francisco E. Jimenez)

By FRANCISCO E. JIMENEZ
Staff Writer
repo...@sbnewspaper.com

Every year, the San Benito News selects two athletes who epitomize what it means to be not only a superior athlete, but more importantly a distinguished student.

Jackie Elizondo and Jamail Garza, San Benito High School student athletes who graduated with their senior class on Friday, definitely fit that bill. And that’s why Elizondo and Garza have been named the 2013 San Benito News Sportsmen of the Year.

“I was speechless when I found out about it,” said Elizondo, who has been a force on the basketball court, track and softball fields as a proud San Benito Lady ’Hound. “Just knowing that all the hard work that I put into athletics came a long way shows that no matter how big you are or how much pain you’ve gone through, you keep fighting and you push for what you want and it’ll get recognized. That’s what happened with me.”

Elizondo graduated Friday evening with a 3.5 GPA and ranked 59th in her class. She plans to attend Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi and double major in Business and Music, but that might change if Elizondo is able to turn heads at the upcoming All-Star softball game, as she has all season.

“I got accepted to a lot of different schools, but on June 22 I have an All-Star Softball game, and if somebody signs me then I’ll probably take that,” explained Elizondo. “In Corpus, I’m probably going to try to walk-on the softball team and track.”

When asked if she would pursue playing basketball at the collegiate level, Elizondo said, “My favorite sport was basketball. I might (try basketball in college), but with my size I’m smaller than most.” She added, “I have a lot of fight in me so I might try. Then again, I had surgery on both knees, so I don’t know if that’s going to help me or not.”

Elizondo still has many memories to look back on while she pursues her career in sports, music and business. On the highlight of her high school career, she referred to the Lady Hounds advancing to the state softball tournament this year, a first for any Rio Grande Valley softball team.

“It was an amazing experience just knowing that it was my senior year and we went out with a bang,” Elizondo said. “No matter where we’re from, even if it’s a small town like San Benito, we can make it up to Austin and play and fight with other teams who are also very competitive.”

Also taking his talents to the “next level” is Jamail Garza, who plans to play football at Graceland University in Lamoni, Iowa. Garza is graduating with a 3.2 GPA and plans to study Criminal Justice with the hopes of becoming a U.S. Marshal.

Garza was recognized for his tremendous high school football career, in which he played strong safety but was also awarded Linebacker of the Year at the Greyhound Football Banquet in January.

“I was in football and in track; I ran the 800 meter relay and the 200 meter dash,” said Garza. “The highlight of my senior year was making the second team All-District and making the All-Star Game…Also beating the Cardinals. I had three interceptions, one forced fumble, one recovered fumble, 35 tackles and a sack from this year.”

Concerning what made this year special for him, he immediately thought of his teammates on the football field. “It was the group of guys I was with that made it special,” Garza said. “We bonded and became a family. I’m going to miss playing under the lights and hearing all the fans cheer. I feel honored because I feel that San Benito has the best athletes in the Valley.”

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Members of the San Benito High School track and soccer teams are seen Thursday afternoon inking letters of intent to continue honing their athletic skills at the collegiate level. Student athletes are seen with their coaches, family members and faculty. (Staff photos by Francisco E. Jimenez)

By FRANCISCO E. JIMENEZ
Staff Writer
repo...@sbnewspaper.com

Six San Benito High School student athletes signed to continue athletic careers at the collegiate level on Wednesday, June 5.

The athletes were participants in such sports at track, cross country and soccer.

“I’m really excited because I get to start the next chapter in my life,” said Rafael Duenes, 18, who signed to run track and cross country at the University of West Alabama. “It’s going to be fun to compete at the higher level, so I’m pretty excited. It’s out of state too, so I get to see new stuff and new scenery.”

Duenes said that he plans to pursue a degree in Kinesiology while at West Alabama.

“I would like to arrange my classes so that I have classes in the morning, that way I’ll have the afternoon off. I tend to pay more attention in classes in the morning than in the afternoon,” explained Duenes. “I’m going to see if I can arrange my classes to have two or three in the morning and have the afternoon off so I can run.”

Want the whole story? Pick up a copy of the June 9 edition of the San Benito News, or subscribe to our E-Edition by clicking here.

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The Boys and Girls Club of San Benito will be hosting the 35th Annual Roy Garza Memorial Golf Tournament, otherwise known as the Save the Club tourney, on Saturday, June 8.

The tournament will be held at the Brownsville Country Club, located at 1800 W. San Marcelo Blvd. in Brownsville.

The event is considered the biggest fundraiser for the club every year as about 22 three-man teams register for the tournament. The club has thus far registered 15 teams.

The tournament is going to be a three-man scramble and will feature door prizes, dinner and a $20,000 prize for a hole-in-one on Hole 7.

Numerous members and organizations from the community have already sponsored the tournament in the form of bronze, silver or gold sponsorships.

Anyone interested in registering is encouraged to call (956) 399-6442. Registration begins at 8 a.m. with a shotgun start at 8:30 a.m.

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The San Benito Lady ’Hounds are seen praying before their state semifinal game against Lewisville on Friday. It was San Benito’s first trip to the state tournament in the school’s history. The team was also the first from the Valley to accomplish such a feat. (KSBG TV photo by Isabel Alicia Gomez)

By ARMANDO GARZA
Special to the NEWS

AUSTIN – They were certainly happy to be here, but that doesn’t mean they’re not sad leaving.

After a superb start, the San Benito Lady ’Hounds couldn’t withstand a bad inning as they ultimately fell to Lewisville 5-2 in their Class 5A state semifinal at Red & Charline McCombs Field on the campus of the University of Texas in Austin.

The first appearance by a Valley team at the state softball tournament showcased one of the best teams in recent memory and a swarm of San Benito faithful in the stands and standing along the rails. An over-capacity crowd of 1,200-plus was announced.

San Benito (34-3) led the game 2-1 after four innings before the Farmers (30-13) plated four in the fifth to seize momentum and ultimately a coveted spot in Saturday’s championship game against Humble Kingwood.

“We had one bad inning and there were a couple of calls that we still can’t figure out. But that’s part of the game,” Lady ’Hounds coach Elias Martinez said. “Our girls had a great season and I couldn’t be more proud of my girls. We never gave up.”

As has been the staple of this year’s historic playoff run, the Lady ’Hounds came out with supreme confidence and they capitalized on Lewisville’s mistakes.

In the second inning, Clarissa Huerta reached on an error and Mel Ramirez followed that up by reaching on another infield miscue. Cynthia Rodriguez was hit by a pitch to load the bases with one out. Kim Harper followed a couple batters later and slapped one to shortstop and the ball was juggled. That allowed Huerta to run home for a 1-0 lead. With the bases still juiced, Amber Jasso drew a walk that scored Ramirez for a 2-0 San Benito lead.

Lewisville got one back in the fourth inning when a throwing error allowed Miranda Worthington to score.

But the fifth inning, as Martinez had alluded to, is where the damage was done.

The Farmers’ Becca Scott led off with a single and advanced to second on an error. Jessica Nelson followed with a bunt single and the bases were loaded when Selena Garcia’s fielder’s choice was held.

That’s when what was viewed by almost everyone in the ballpark as a blown call occurred.

A grounder was hit to Huerta who charged to flip to Harper at home plate for a would-be force out. Photographs taken clearly show Harper’s foot on the plate before Scott reached home.

The call was not made, however, and the tying run was allowed, much to the dismay of Martinez and the hundreds of fans in attendance.

“I still don’t understand that force play,” Martinez said. “But we’re young and we’re learning about the big stage. It’s a different ballgame at the state tournament. But we loved it, our girls enjoyed it and our girls are gonna get better.”

Maribeth Gorsuch’s sacrifice fly scored Nelson for Lewisville’s first lead (3-2) and Worthington’s sac fly brought home Garcia. A double from Emily Lasky brought home the final run.

San Benito couldn’t muster any more runs and finished the game with two runs on two hits and four Lewisville errors. Besides Harper’s single in the third, Dorothy Millan also singled to lead off the fifth.

“We’ve been knocking on the door the past couple of years and this year we kicked it in,” Martinez said. “Now we’re at the state tournament, so it’s open. It shows that we can play at this level.”

“We represented the Valley well and our girls have nothing to be ashamed of,” Martinez said. “Lady ’Hound Softball is alive and well in the Rio Grande Valley and we will be back.”

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San Benito Lady Greyhound coach Elias Martinez enjoys a gatorade shower courtesy of his team on Saturday after they defeated Smithson Valley to earn a trip to the state tournament, a first for any Rio Grande Valley softball club. The players are also pictured celebrating after the game. San Benito will now face Lewisville in the state semifinals in Austin Friday. (KSBG TV photos by Isabel Alicia Gomez)

By ARMANDO GARZA
Special to the NEWS

With the eyes of the Rio Grande Valley—and now the rest of Texas—on them after a historic win, the San Benito Lady ’Hounds are soaking it all in.

But just like last week, they know they have an opportunity to make even more Valley sports history by taking care of business. After all, there is a game to play.

In their second trip to the Elite Eight—the only Valley team to reach a softball regional final—the girls scored another first last Saturday, becoming the first Valley club to advance to the state tournament by downing defending 4A state champion Smithson Valley.

With their ticket to the Final Four punched, the Region-IV champion Lady ’Hounds (34-2) will now take on Lewisville (29-13), the winner of Region I, in a 5A state semifinal at McCombs Field on the campus of the University of Texas on Friday at 6 p.m.

Should they win their eighth game of this historic playoff run, the Lady ’Hounds would face the winner between Humble Kingwood (34-3) or defending 5A state champ Deer Park (37-4) for the state championship at 4 p.m. on Saturday, also at UT. For fans unable to make the trip to Austin, Friday’s and Saturday’s games will be televised live on Fox Sports Southwest.

“It’s been fun. We’ve received a lot of calls from coaches and people wishing us luck,” Lady ’Hounds coach Elias Martinez said of a whirlwind weekend. “But it’s not hard to keep our girls focused. They’re so loose and confident right now. I expect the same thing Friday. We’re gonna play Lady ’Hound Softball and give it our best shot. I guarantee my girls will leave it all on the field.”

San Benito’s magical postseason has been fueled by sky-high confidence and solid play from everyone up and down the lineup. Also, junior pitcher Amber Jasso has been on fire as of late and has run her record to 23-1 overall. She’s received plenty of defensive help behind her while the bats have been lively, including 11 hits against Smithson Valley.

Getting here has not been easy for the Lady ’Hounds and they’re certainly battle-tested. They’re a perfect 7-0 in the playoffs, with two-game sweeps of Brownsville Hanna and Edinburg North preceding one-game wins over Eagle Pass, San Antonio O’Connor and Smithson Valley.

Meanwhile, this is also the first state tourney for Lewisville, according to reports. The Farmers came out of District 5-5A and have been sensational in the playoffs, defeating Bell, Mansfield, Midway, Coronado and Flower Mound Marcus to reach state.

Coach Lori Alexander’s club is led by 5-10 freshman right-hander Maribeth Gorsuch, who’s also stout at the plate. Gorsuch was hampered by an injury to end the season and the Lady Farmers struggled. However, she’s since returned—starting in a relief role before tossing a complete-game shutout in the regional final—and is undoubtedly the team’s catalyst. Senior Chloe Campise has also seen time in the circle.

“That’s pretty much what we know. We don’t know a lot about them (Lewisville) but we’re scrounging up what we can. Bottom line is (at the state tourney) we’re playing the best in the state of Texas,” Martinez said. “They’re in the same boat we are. They’re probably asking, ‘San Benito who? So we’re just gonna do what we do to get ready.”

All in all, Martinez said the experience of making history and reaching state has been truly memorable, but he and his Lady ’Hounds aren’t ready to call it a season.

“It’s gonna be two ‘Cinderella stories’ going at it,” Martinez said of the two state first-timers. “But hopefully the clock doesn’t strike 12 on us just yet.”

Continue reading »]]> By ARMANDO GARZA
Special to the NEWS

Former San Benito Lady ’Hounds pitcher Jo Ann Herrera is seen winding up in this 2010 file photo. (Photo by Obed Longoria)

Besides the girls themselves, there’s probably no one with more sense of pride for Lady ’Hound softball than former players.

As the current girls get ready for the Valley’s first trip to the 5A state softball tournament in Austin, many of the former players were in attendance in Laredo and/or took to social media to offer their words of encouragement.

Former pitcher Erin Fonseca, who played from 2004-06, emphasized the impact of the team’s winning tradition.

“‘Fear the tradition. Protect the tradition.’ The motto runs deep in Lady Hound Softball,” Fonseca said. “Early teams established local success and, with each passing year, the bar was raised. District championships evolved into area championships, and later, into Sweet Sixteen appearances. I am happy to have been part of the first squad to reach the Sweet Sixteen and am beyond proud of the program’s continued success. These girls picked up the torch and ran away with it, elevating the Lady ’Hounds to Elite 8 appearances and now a real chance at the state title!”

Want the whole story? Pick up a copy of the May 29 edition of the San Benito News, or subscribe to our E-Edition by clicking here.

Continue reading »]]> By FRANCISCO E. JIMENEZ
Staff Writer
repo...@sbneawspaper.com

The San Benito Economic Development Corporation will be hosting its third monthly Downtown Merchants Meeting at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 30.

Scheduled at the Law Office of Randall P. Crane on the corner of Robertson and Sam Houston in downtown San Benito, EDC Executive Director Solomon Torres said merchants will hear back on transportation and parking related issues touched on at the previous meeting.

“We’re going to have some responses from the city and TxDOT, some of the suggestions that were laid out about the traffic flow and pedestrian crossing and also parking issues,” he said. “We’re going to first report back on those. The main topic for this meeting is some of the vendors want to bring some foot traffic to downtown, so they want to brainstorm bringing some downtown events for the remainder of this year.”

Want the whole story? Pick up a copy of the May 29 edition of the San Benito News, or subscribe to our E-Edition by clicking here.

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The San Benito Quarterback Club has contracted a charter bus for Friday’s state semifinal game between the San Benito Lady Greyhounds and Lewisville.

The two teams are in the state tournament for the first time and are among the state’s final four Class 5A teams. Tentative departure time is set for 10 a.m. on Friday, May 31, with the bus departing from the front (main) parking lot of Bobby Morrow Stadium. The charge to travel on the chartered bus is $50.00 per person; however, this does not include the cost of the gate (entry) fee to the game.

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The City of San Benito has organized a parade send-off for the San Benito Lady Greyhounds varsity softball team on Thursday morning. The team will depart to Austin afterward to take on Lewisville on Friday in the state semifinal game. Pitching for the Lady ’Hounds is Amber Jasso, who is shown above. (KSBG TV photo by Isabel Alicia Gomez)

Amid the excitement of the San Benito Lady Greyhounds’ softball success, City of San Benito leaders are adding to the fanfare by seeing the team off in grand style.

A parade through downtown San Benito is scheduled Thursday morning with a police and fire escort, with sirens and flashing radiating from the vehicles.

The scheduled route of departure for the team is after the 8 a.m. pep rally on Thursday, from the San Benito High School parking lot down Oscar Williams Road, with a right turn onto Business 77 to Sam Houston Blvd. with a right turn to the Expressway. Departure time for the team from the high school is set for 9:30 a.m.

Business owners/managers lining the parade route are asked to decorate their storefronts and to encourage customers and employees to stand outside their shops with banners, signs and other colorful items to encourage the Lady ‘Hounds in their quest for a first-ever state title.

Want the whole story? Pick up a copy of the May 29 edition of the San Benito News, or subscribe to our E-Edition by clicking here.