by JASON GORDON
The Hays girls basketball team was represented on the All-District 17-4A squad like a co-league champion should be.
The Lady Rebels, who finished 11-1 and tied with eventual state semifinalist Del Valle in 17-4A, had two of the district’s most valuable players.
Senior Angeleigh Davis, who led Hays in scoring at 13 points per game and also pulled down five rebounds per contest, was named the district’s Co-MVP along with Del Valle guard Joslinn Douglas.
“Angeleigh meant a lot to this team,” Hays head coach Donny McDonald said. “Whenever we needed a go-to player for a basket, we could always count on her to be aggressive and try to get us some points. She always gave 100 percent when she was on the court.”
Lehman’s Bri Garza (top) had defenders chasing her all season, but the first-team all-district selection still managed to average 18 points per game. Hays’ Angeleigh Davis (pictured above) was named co-district MVP. (Photo by Joel San Miguel)
Fellow Hays senior Chrissy Arias, who averaged six points, four rebounds and three assists per game, was named the district’s defensive MVP.
“Chrissy wasn’t ever afraid to back down, no matter what assignment we gave her,” McDonald said. “She’d dive on the court or into the wall to get to the basketball; whatever it took to win Chrissy was always willing to go the extra mile.”
Ashley Rankine was named first team All-District for the Lady Rebels, who advanced to the regional quarterfinals this year after making it to state last season. Rankine averaged nine points and a team-leading seven rebounds.
Lehman’s all-time leading scorer, senior Bri Garza, who averaged 18 points, six steals, 5.5 rebounds and assists, two blocks, and made a total of 87 three pointers this season, was also named to the first team. She led the Lady Lobos in every statistical category.
“It’s hard to measure what Bri meant to our team,” Lehman head coach Danny Preuss said. “Despite being constantly doubled and sometimes triple teamed, she always came through for us. She left a great legacy for others to follow.”
Making the second team for the Hays girls were senior posts Ashley Magallanez and Brooke Borreson, both made strong comebacks in district play and in the postseason despite missing much of the first half of the season due to injury.
Magallanez and Borreson both averaged six points and five rebounds per game.
Making the second team for the Lehman girls for the second straight year was sophomore guard Amara Smith, the team’s second-leading scorer and an 82-percent free throw shooter. Also making the second team for the Lady Lobos was Kerry Robinson, who Preuss called the team’s best defender.
Also for the Hays girls, Paige Lord, who had the game of her life in Hays’ second-round playoff win against Beaumont Central, and Kaitlyn Barnes, who sent the Lady Rebels into double overtime with two clutch free throws in an eventual loss to Huntsville in the regional quarterfinals, were named honorable mention.
Lady Lobo seniors Liz Valderaz and Bekah Lucio, and freshman Ariana Gallegos, were named honorable mention.
On the boys side, Hays freshman guard Caleb Kimbro, who averaged nearly 14 points a game in helping to lead the Rebels within a whisker of a playoff spot, was named first-team All-District.
“Caleb was a threat all over the floor,” Hays head coach Kris Fuller said. “He really matured over the course of the season.”
Lehman had two players named first team, freshman guard De’Andre Carson and senior forward Jonathan Garrion.
Making the second team for the Rebels was junior point guard Brandon Alvarado (9.5 points, 3.5 assists per game), and sophomore forward Isaiah Williams (7.8 points, 3.8 rebounds).
“Brandon did a good job handling pressure and had his best game of the season down the stretch against Elgin when we absolutely had to win,” Fuller said. “Isaiah was great finishing around the basket and had some big rebounds late in key games for us.”
Lehman had one player, junior forward Tarale Murry, named to the second team.
Making the honorable mention list for Hays was junior Greg Cadenhead and freshman Granger Studdard.
Dane Peddycoart was honorable mention for Lehman.
HOOPS HONORS
• Hays’ Davis and Arias named most valuable players
• Lady Lobos’ all-time leading scorer makes first team
