STATEBOUND!

Lytle Pirate Lifters Mario Diaz and Luke Estrada are Statebound! Diaz racked up 1,695 pounds in his division and Estrada totaled 1,335 pounds. Jaden Araujo also competed at Regionals.

Pirates compete at Regionals
Jerel Beaty
Staff Writer
Mario Diaz and Luke Estrada advanced to the biggest stage of the high school powerlifing world with their outstanding performances in Edinberg at Regional last week. Diaz placed 2nd in the 198lb division while Estrada hit the qualifying total in the 148lb division.
Diaz racked up 1,695 pounds in his division. He squatted 650lb, benched 410lb, and deadlifted 635 to advance to State.
Estrada earned his trip to Abilene with a squat of 505lb, a bench of 290lb, and a deadlift of 540. He totaled 1,335 pounds.
Jaden Araujo gave it his best shot to extend his season but fell just short of his goal as he placed 9th in the 114lb division with a 325lb squat, 165lb bench, and 330lb deadlift to finish with 820 pounds total.
Congratulations to all three lifters on a powerful 2024 season and best of luck to Mario and Luke at State!

Lady Pirates hoops run ends in Regional Quarterfinals to Columbus

“Lifetime of Memories!”

Jerel Beaty
Staff Writer
There is the saying that All good things must come to an end but that may be just a little bit of an understatement as the Lady Pirate season came to a close last week in the Regional Quarterfinals. The saying should go, All great things must come to an end.
As Head Coach Lori Wilson stated, “What a year and what a season these 8 girls, or, as I refer to as The FAB 8, have had representing LHS and their community. They were your 4-Peat District Champs, Bi-District Champs, and Area Champs for 2024 and collected three more gold balls for the trophy case!”
Columbus got the better of the Lady Pirates 73-53 in Seguin, but do not let the 20-point difference fool ya. Lytle gave the Cardinals all they wanted and more.
“Our last game of this incredible season will…

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AREA CHAMPS!Lady Pirates rope Edna in 66-65 thriller

Lytle Lady Pirates celebrate the big play after #10 Calyssa Sevier hit a 3pointer in the last 16 seconds of the game to take the lead. Courtesy photo Ruben Gonzalez.

*Lytle played Columbus Feb20 in the Regional Quarterfinals

Jerel Beaty
Staff Writer
Michael Jackson’s Thriller hit the charts February 26, 1983, almost 40 years ago to the date Lytle’s most recent “thriller” of a ballgame hit the charts…or bottom of the net, for that matter…as Calyssa Sevier literally snapped the net with a three-pointer with her Lady Pirates down one and under 16-seconds on the clock that gave them the Area Championship over Edna 66-65.
“OMG!” exclaimed Head Coach Lori Wilson afterwards. “If you were not in Seguin last Friday night you missed a thriller!”
Edna gave all they had, but Lytle had more in their tank late in the game and they..

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Bi-District Champs?Pirate basketball eyes state playoffs

#5 Zach Perez battles going up for the layup.

*Lytle played Karnes City on Press Night February 20

Jerel Beaty
Staff Writer
Lytle qualified for the UIL State Playoffs long, long ago but did not get the joys of playing for a gold ball in Bi-District until last night, February 20 as the District 28-3A runner-up Pirates took on the third-place team from District 27-3A Karnes City in Seguin.
The Pirates finished the season strong, finishing with an overall record of 25-7 that included big-time wins over rival Natalia and over Cotulla.
To get to win #30 means a date in San Antonio after the Regional Tournament which in turn signifies outstanding playoff successes as well.
The Badgers placed third in their district at 4-4 as Poth (7-1) won the…

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Lady Pirate lifters 3rd in last regular season invitational

Mya Villarreal, Brianna Paredes and Nayelli Pacheco all placed 2nd in their respective weight classes.

Jerel Beaty
Staff Writer
The last qualifying meet for lady-lifters was last Wednesday in Natalia as over 150 competitors took their shot to advance to Regional in Edinburg Thursday, February 29.
Mya Villereal, Brianna Paredes, Nayelli Pacheco, and Valeria Gonzalez automatically qualified based on total weight lifted according to Head Coach John Pena.
Lytle finished fourth as a team with 18 points.
“It was a busy last qualifier meet with over 160 lifters! The last qualifier meet is a lifter’s last shot at making it to Regional. In order to qualify the lifter has to be in the Top 12 ranking or hit a total weight. As of right now, we have 4…

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Mario Diaz and Pirate Powerlifting going strong

Head Coach John Pena, Assistant Melissa Gomez, and the Pirate powerlifters after a recent meet.

Jerel Beaty
Staff Writer
Mario Diaz continues to make his mark in the world of high school powerlifting as he won his weight class once again in Natalia February 7. Diaz lifted a combined 1,680lbs in squat, bench, and deadlift to take home a champion’s medal.
“We had 12 boys to compete in Natalia with many…

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UNDEFEATED DISTRICT 28-3A CHAMPIONS!10-0 LADY PIRATES HAWG-TIE JAVELINAS 56-47

The 2024 Lytle Lady Pirates are “Four Peat” District Champs!

Jerel Beaty
Staff Writer
BDC? Lady Pirate Nation is more than likely waking up already knowing their Lytle team won B-District Tuesday night in Poteet against the host Lady Aggies. Congratulations!
Lytle had already pulled off a District 28-3A FOUR-PEAT prior to Tuesday’s last in-conference basketball game against the Lady Javelinas. The only left on the ‘things-to-do’ list was to defeat Crystal City in Crystal City to run their league record to a perfect 10-0 while…

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Pirate hoops look to make some noise in playoffs

Jerel Beaty
Staff Writer
Lytle finished its District 28-3A schedule with consecutive wins over Natalia and Cotulla, ending league play at 8-2. The Pirates are 24-7 and await the state playoffs that begin next week.
“With the win over the Mustangs, the Pirates secure the second seed as we head into the playoffs,” stated Head Coach Jacob Hernandez. “This marks the seventh straight season the Pirates will be in the UIL Playoffs. The young Pirates have met…

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Lady Pirates top Natalia in Rivalry Game

Varsity Lady Pirate #14 Arianna Garcia goes up for shot over defense.

Jerel Beaty
Staff Writer
Lytle improved to 23-7 overall and 7-0 overall prior to last night’s road win in Dilley.
“We only have two games left then we are off to the playoffs!” exclaimed Head Coach Lori Wilson prior to tipoff in Dilley. “We played last week with just seven players so we hope to get back to eight sometime this week. The girls have stepped up in every aspect of the game and we have defiantly become a solid team over the last month.”
vs Natalia
Playing a little short-handed, this friendly rivalry went to Lytle for the 8th year in a row as the Lady Pirates knocked down the Lady Mustangs 68-44 in Natalia.
Lytle was led by standout senior Calyssa Sevier who knocked down 30 points, grabbed 10 boards, and claimed one of the MVP Awards for the Rivalry game. Yahdi Lujan took the MVP for…

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Pirates clip Owls, drop decision vs Javelinas

Jerel Beaty
Staff writer
Lytle was unable to follow up their solid road win in Hondo with a victory against Crystal City the following ballgame.
vs Hondo
Lytle pulled out a huge win in Hondo January 16 that ran the Pirates record to 19-5 overall and 2-0 in District 28-3A. Head Coach Jacob Hernandez’s squad was in for a tough one all night long but was able to pull out the 55-47 win.
Even though the offense may have had an off night, Hernandez is thankful the defense was steady throughout and that they were able to secure the important victory.
“The offense struggled all night, but we showed up…

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