Category: Lytle Pirates & Lady Pirates Sports

Matthew “Moose” Lopez
Sports editor
The Lytle Lady Pirates continue to separate themselves in the district standings to ensure their post season seeding. With the double overtime victory over Cotulla, 69-64 and the loss to Hondo, 24-74 the Lady Pirates have placed themselves two games ahead of Poteet, securing the fourth spot in district. 
During their dramatic double overtime victory against Cotulla, the Pirates were down 15 at one point before having a resurgence in the fourth quarter where they outscored the Cowgirls 35-15 in the period. Head coach Lori Wilson praised Aliana Cardenas’ poise under pressure. With three seconds left Wilson drew up a play for Cardenas, where she got fouled and sent to the line.
“With no time on the clock,…LOGIN TO CONTINUE READING at www.devinenewsmembers.com. You will get instant access to our full E-edition, and begin getting the newspaper delivered to your home next week for $36 a year in Medina County. Support important local city, county, and school news like this!

Matthew “Moose” Lopez
Sports editor
The Lytle JV and Varsity Tennis squads traveled to Somerset for their next tournament of the season. Head coach Julie Cameron said the team showed “heart, hustle, and Pirate pride” as they had multiple athletes advance through multiple rounds. 
Varsity
Cameron said Varsity brought energy and grit to the court to ensure they got to stay on the court as long as possible.
“Frank Ng made an impressive run to the quarterfinals in Boys Singles, while Jazzy Carillo and Rosendo Gonzalez fought their way into the Mixed Doubles Consolation Finals,” Cameron said. 
Janelle Young and Marlen made it to the…LOGIN TO CONTINUE READING at www.devinenewsmembers.com. You will get instant access to our full E-edition, and begin getting the newspaper delivered to your home next week for $36 a year in Medina County. Support important local city, county, and school news like this!

Matthew “Moose” Lopez
Sports editor
The Lytle Lady Pirates continued their resurgence through district, taking down the Dilley Wolves 55-32 on Tuesday, Jan. 20 then losing a close one to Poteet 38-35. At time of press, Lytle sits fourth in the district with an overall record of 7-19, but have a district record of 5-4. With the season coming into its final stretch, the Lady Pirates will continue to fight and punch their ticket to the post season. 
“We are so proud of all of the girls they keep stepping up when we need it the most,” Head coach Lori Wilson said.
Vs. Dilley
Although Lytle had control for most of the game, Wilson said they were off to a slow start, but…LOGIN TO CONTINUE READING at www.devinenewsmembers.com. You will get instant access to our full E-edition, and begin getting the newspaper delivered to your home next week for $36 a year in Medina County. Support important local city, county, and school news like this!

Matthew “Moose” Lopez
Sports editor
The Lytle Pirates had an excellent week on the court, taking down their local rival the Natalia Mustangs, 81-30 and then outlasted Jourdanton in an overtime thriller, 77-75. The Pirates advance to 4-1 in district play, holding firmly onto the second seed.
Vs. Natalia
A rivalry that spans generations, Pirates vs Mustangs always brings a packed house and an entertaining game. However, the Pirates had no interest in making things “interesting”, they came to handle business. After out-scoring Natalia, 28-7 in the first quarter, Lytle never looked back.
“Our defensive pressure was full throttle from everyone who stepped on the court, making it tough on the Mustangs all over the floor,” Head coach Arturo Vela said. 
Vela credited the dominant win to the Pirates executing on both ends of the court. Vela said they came out with strong defensive pressure and knocked down early shots, which helped them take control of the pace. 
“Diego Reyna knocked down a few early three-pointers that got us going, and the pace set by Chase [Guevara], Weston [Jackson], and Seth [Pierce] pushed the tempo and helped us score over 80 points,” Vela said. “The defensive effort from everyone who stepped on the court, especially Lee Mills, Ethan [Elizondo], Jalen Roudriguez and Clayton Jopling, turned the game into a track meet that the Mustangs couldn’t keep up with.”
Available stats:
Scoring: #1 Darius Garcia- 14 pts, #2 Chase Guevara- 21 pts, #3 Weston Jackson- 7 pts, #4 Jalen Rodriguez- 7 pts, #5 Lee Mills- 4 pts, #12 Seth Pierce- 14 pts, #14 Ethan Elizondo- 6 pts, #21 Diego Reyna- 8 pts
Rebounding: #1 Garcia- 3 reb, #2 Guevara- 1 reb, #3 Jackson- 3 reb, #4 Rodriguez- 2 reb, #5 Mills- 3 reb, #12 Pierce- 12 reb (five offensive), #14 Elizondo- 4 reb, #21 Reyna- 8 reb
Assists: #1 Garcia- 1 ast, #2 Guevara- 1 ast, #3 Jackson- 3 ast, #4 Rodriguez- 1 ast, #11 Clayton Jopling- 2 ast, #12 Pierce- 1 ast, #14 Elizondo- 1 ast, #21 Reyna- 1 ast
Steals: #1 Garcia- 4 stl, #2 Guevara- 5 stl, #3 Jackson- 3 stl, #4 Rodriguez- 3 stl, #5 Mills- 3 stl, #11 Jopling- 1 stl, #12 Pierce- 2 stl, #21 Reyna- 3 stl

Vs. Jourdanton
One of the most entertaining games of the season came in the form of the matchup of Lytle and Jourdanton. The whole town seemed to slip away and the only thing that ever existed was the game on Friday night. 
“Although we struggled shooting the ball on Friday, we showed a lot of effort and toughness to stay in the game,” Vela said. “It was a game of runs, and neither team was able to truly separate. Our guys never gave up, continued to defend and stayed committed to the game plan.”
As the game came winding down, Guevara, Pierce and Reyna each…LOGIN TO CONTINUE READING at www.devinenewsmembers.com. You will get instant access to our full E-edition, and begin getting the newspaper delivered to your home next week for $36 a year in Medina County. Support important local city, county, and school news like this!

Jerel Beaty
Staff writer
Opening their 2026 season in Natalia on January 14 were Head Coach Melissa Gomez and 10 of her Pirate athletes. Senior Noah Smoot and junior Ezekiah Aguilar each finished in the top of their respective weight divisions to take medals on their shot bus trip home.
“We took a group of primarily new powerlifters to Natalia to compete in their first meet,” Gomez stated. “A few had a rough start with commands/rules, controlling the bar, and nerves, but with guidance and support from their team, they were able to overcome those challenges by their second or third lifts.”
Smoot earned second place in the 181 weight class with a total of 1,265 pounds while the new-to-the-sport Aguilar earned third place in the 165 weight class with a total of 805 pounds.
“It was a great learning experience for the new powerlifters. This young team is full of potential, and we are excited to see them grow this season,” Gomez said in closing.
With five freshmen…LOGIN TO CONTINUE READING at www.devinenewsmembers.com. You will get instant access to our full E-edition, and begin getting the newspaper delivered to your home next week for $36 a year in Medina County. Support important local city, county, and school news like this!

Matthew “Moose” Lopez
Sports editor
The Lady Pirates continue their rejuvenated district run as they race to secure the fourth and final spot in the district post season. The Pirates won the rivalry game against Natalia 47-31 then fell to Jourdanton, 86-17. The Lady Pirates have a district of 4-3 and an overall record of 6-18.
Vs. Natalia
Whenever Lytle and Natalia matchup, in any sport, it’s sure to be a show. This game between the Lady Pirates and the Lady Mustangs was grimy, tough and physical. Every player on the court poured their heart and soul into this game.
The first half was back and forth with both teams looking to separate themselves from the other. Landynn Guzman made a crucial three, then hit a buzzer beater at the end of the first half. Using that momentum Lytle outscored the Lady Mustangs 31-16 in the second half led by Aliana Cardenas’ season high 21 points. 
Head coach Lori Wilson said this win was built on defense. 
“We scored 17 points off their turnovers and we grabbed 14 steals,” Wilson said. “So proud of this team, they have came through on the games we need to [get through] this first round of district.” 
Available stats: 
Aliana Cardenas had 21 points 8 rebounds 1 assist and 2 steals
Landynn Guzman had 9 points 6 rebounds 3 assists and 7 steals
Zabella Garza with 7 points 10 rebounds and 1 assist
Loundyn Perez with 5 points 4 rebounds 1 assist and 2 steals
Lilly Gallegos with 4 points 3 rebounds and 1 steal
Lila Cortinas with 1 point 1 rebound and 2 steals

Vs. Jourdanton
The Lady Pirates took a tough loss to the number one seeded…LOGIN TO CONTINUE READING at www.devinenewsmembers.com. You will get instant access to our full E-edition, and begin getting the newspaper delivered to your home next week for $36 a year in Medina County. Support important local city, county, and school news like this!