As Coaches go for any sport at any level, part of their job is to push and promote their players.
I've done my fair share as well, but for now I want to Celebrate some of our Senior Guards from our Original SA Islanders Black team. Players that have played 2 years or more which consists of Tara Molina, Belle Tovar, Victoria Salinas, Alexia Torres.
Tara, Belle and Lexi since 7th grade.
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| Belle, Tara and Lexi |
I want to Celebrate with them as they finish out their High School Careers with their respective schools.
I respect their hard work, commitment and dedication in a sport that have few actual Role Models for them in College and in the WNBA.
Young, Talented, Female and LATINAS!
All are expected to be leaders on their respective High School teams as starting Point Guards or contributing significantly as point guards.
Victoria Pena for O'Connor will be helping lead the way for a team that was one win away from going to State last season.
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| Victoria Pena |
O'Connor has some key losses so Victoria as well as her fellow teammates will be asked to do more to make up the difference. Her confidence has grown tremendously enabling to expand her game.
Never one to back down from any challenge, she plays defense as hard as she goes on offense.
On defense, she has great court awareness enabling her to fill in passing lanes for steals. She is a Real tough rebounder for a guard. She runs the court well, likes to attack the rim and can get hot from downtown.
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| Victoria Pena |
Tara Molina with Johnson HS will be asked to do a lot more with the departure of some key talent from a team that made a good run last year.
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| Tara Molina |
She is smooth and crafty with the ball and likes to create and set up her teammates. She has the ability to get to the rim with her moves. She also can light it up from downtown as she did during the end of her sophomore season, catching fire during the playoffs. She is seasoned and with confidence, she can be a scorer.
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| Tara Molina |
Belle Tovar for Judson HS will be making her long awaited debut with the Varsity team. As a sophomore, she had to sit out because of UIL transfer rules. As a junior, she had to sit out due to an injury.
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| Belle Tovar |
Ever since elementary, she has been regarded as one of the State's most prolific scorers. That's something Judson sorely missed last season. Her range is unlimited. Her passing ability in crowds and creativity gets overlooked. She is also a great rebounder and defender. She is excited to say the least, for the opportunity to play for Judson HS Varsity team.
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| Belle Tovar |
Alexia Torres goes into her senior year at Incarnate Word looking to build from the last few years playoff runs. Ever since starting her first game as the Point Guard her freshmen year, she has shown a competitiveness spirit on both ends of the court.
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| Alexia Torres |
She has a group of talented players around her at IWHS, more than at any time in her career. That in itself will help her do what she does best. Make the team better in any manner possible!
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| Alexia Torres |
As a matter of fact, all these young ladies make their teams better in their own way.
Maybe to a fault, these young ladies are modest and humbled but MAKE no mistake, on the court they go out and COMPETE!
And playing together in the same back court against the toughest teams from San Antonio, Austin, Houston, Dallas all throughout the State, they have hopefully gained some measure of respect from opposing players and Coaches.
I know I have witnessed my share of their incredible achievements and performances as well as their long hours of hard work and sweat in the gym.
As they finish out their High School careers, I hope they enjoy it as much as I have enjoyed the ride.
MUCHAS GRACIAS, Senoritas!!!!!
Alexia Torres coming into the Future Stars Showcase after sitting out for 30 days from any shooting because of an injury made the most of her time back on the court.
Click below for some highlights
Alexia Torres
Throughout her basketball career, no one and I mean no one can ever say that Tara Molina was not an ultimate team player. She is as unselfish basketball player as they come, always thinking and putting TEAM First!
Not to say that she has not gotten hers on the offensive scoring column, but she always looks to set up her teammates and relishes on their success as much as any player can possibly do.
And that folks is Tara Molina, on and off the court!
Ultimate Teammate and Ultimate Friend!
She doesn't work at it, it's just Naturally her!
I have seen her do some amazing plays on the court and observed amazing displays of generosity and graciousness off the court.
In this day of age, where competitive sports make people do and say irrational things, where winning is the Ultimate goal and where being the Best is all that matters, it has been my Honor to have coached this young lady, one who has remained true to herself, to her teammates and coaches.
And I will venture to take it further than that, when Tara Molina joined the team, she could have played with a lot of other teams. The majority of Parents probably would have thought twice and probably moved her to another team at the start with the Islanders.
She couldn't play with the Top Islander Team because UIL rules prohibited it during her first TWO seasons with the Islanders even though, skills and talent, she Could Have!
When she finally joined the Islanders top team, she had to come off the bench for a whole other season while she patiently waited for her opportunity.
She EARNED that opportunity during her fourth season and helped the team to a successful run.
And in that act of loyalty towards the Organization, Tara Molina has earned her spot as a SA Islander for all times.
SA Islanders, not as winners or the best, but quite simply......... family, La Familia!
Click below for some her highlights from Future Stars Showcase
SA ISLANDERS TARA MOLINA
I don't think you will get any argument from anyone that knows Bri Soliz as a person and human being, she is extremely nice to everyone!!!!
You will not get any quarrel from anyone that knows basketball that her GAME on the basketball court is Super Nice as well!!!!
Great kid with a great personality that compliments her basketball skills and talent.
She is super smooth on the court with great footwork who can finish left and right handed. She also runs the court well and knows how to move without the ball to get herself open.
She was in Beast mode at the Future Stars Showcase averaging 10 boards a game.
She is ready to add to High School resume where last year as a sophomore, she helped lead San Angelo Lakeview to their first playoff win ever, receiving a lot of awards and accolades along the way.
Click below for some highlights
SA ISLANDERS BRI SOLIZ
