Mustangs eager to start District

Varsity Mustang #23 Ricardo De La O reaches for the ball during tip-off of Natalia’s game against Yorktown. Photo by Mable Byrd.

Matthew “Moose” Lopez
Sports editor
The varsity Mustangs have played their last tournament of the preseason and will be in district play when they return to the floor in 2026. Natalia battled fiercely but finished the tournament 2-3. Head coach Justin Welsh said the key for the Mustangs to stay consistent, is to stay locked in on the defensive side of the ball. 
“When things aren’t going our way, it’s easy to forget what our team is built around, and that’s the defensive end of the floor,” Welsh said. “We have guys who can score the basketball and I am confident that as the season goes on, those guys will help us find ways to win.”
These last few games have…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!

Lady Mustangs fall in nail biter against Cotulla

Varsity Lady Mustangs #10 Kaecey Vela guards up on the wing while #12 Kaylee Uvideo and #23 Arielle Villarreal standy ready at the help side defense during Natalia’s close game against Cotulla. Photo by Mable Byrd.

Matthew “Moose” Lopez
Sports editor
As the year comes to a close, the Lady Mustangs have begun their journey into district play taking on two tough opponents: Crystal City and Cotulla. Basketball is a game of runs and some runs last longer than others. The Lady Mustangs had a tough outing in their first two games, losing 25-85 against Crystal City then losing a nail biter against Cotulla 30-33. 
“They were both tough losses, but the girls never gave up and fought hard in both games. That’s tough to do when you’re getting beat by 30+ points for the majority of the game,” head coach Steven Spangler said. “However, these girls have a lot of heart and desire to do what they can.”
No one wants to lose, 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!

Pirates earn second at RK Weilbacher classic

Varsity Pirate Chase Guevera sores for the layup on the fastbreak during Lytle’s game against YMLA. Photo by Moose Lopez.

Matthew “Moose” Lopez
Sports editor
The Lytle Pirates enter Christmas break with an overall record of 5-6 coming off successful outings in their game against St. Anthony’s and earning second place at the RK Weilbacher basketball classic in Kenedy Texas. The Pirates have one more tournament before the start of district play and look more connected on the court with each game.
Vs. St. Anthony
During Lytle’s road game against St. Anthony, head coach Arturo Vela said the team had a …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!

Mustangs take third at Tilden Classic

The Mustang defense collapses on the shooter during Natalia’s intense game against Yorktown. Photo by Mable Byrd.

Matthew “Moose” Lopez
Sports Editor
The Natalia varsity basketball team earned third place at the Tilden Classic tournament, after going 3-2 with Jordan Castro earning the All-tournament team honors. Head coach Justin Welsh said his team did a great job of responding after performances that “weren’t up to the standard” of Mustang basketball. 
“We played against several well-coached and well-prepared teams that made us work for everything on the offensive end, and while we had our moments of struggle, our guys consistently found ways to bounce back.”
Tournament season is a great opportunity for teams to better understand their strengths and weaknesses and how they match up against certain offensive and defensive schemes…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!

Mustangs runner-up in Natalia Classic

The Varsity Mustangs took second place overall at the Natalia Classic tournament with a record of 4-1 and finishing in a 3-way tie for first. After the point differential, the Mustangs secured second place.

Matthew “Moose” Lopez
Sports Editor
The Natalia Varsity Mustangs were firing on all cylinders during the Natalia Classic tournament, taking second place overall with a tournament record of 4-1 and finishing in a 3-way tie for first. After the point differential, the Mustangs secured second place. Mustangs Damian Aguinaga, Peyton Alderete and Juan Gonzales were selected to the All-Tournament team for their stellar play. The Mustangs played with connectivity, fluidity and intensity. Every man…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!

Lady Mustangs stride through Natalia Classic Tourney

The Lady Mustangs took home second place at the Natalia Classic tournament. Photo by Mable Byrd.

Matthew “Moose” Lopez
Sports Editor
The Lady Mustangs varsity team has seen exponential growth since the start of the season. Natalia took second place in the Natalia Classic tournament with a record of 3-2 with three Lady Mustangs earning All-Tournament honors:  Kaylee Uviedo, Aryanna Ramirez, and Jade Mata. The squad has become much more…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!

Natalia Classic tournament on the horizon for Lady Mustangs

The varsity Lady Mustang bench getting hyped after a big play during Natalia’s first home game of the season against George West High School. Photo by Moose Lopez.

Matthew “Moose” Lopez
Sports Editor
Coming out of Thanksgiving break, the Lady Mustangs’ record is 3-8 with a packed schedule ahead of them. Starting on Thursday Dec. 4, the Natalia Classic tournament will begin and the Lady Mustangs will play five games over a three day span. Head coach Steven Spangler said this is a good opportunity for the squad to try new things, stating that “sometimes you just have to play games to see how things are working.”
“They have to be able to adjust on the fly when something isn’t working and push ahead when it is,” Spangler said. “I’m hoping that we can use this tournament to figure out what’s going to work for us scoring wise.”
Spangler said the Lady Mustangs have had some scoring.
“Our defense is doing pretty well, but we have to match that on the offensive side of the ball,” Spangler said. “We have to improve in that area if we want to be competitive in district.” 
With any team…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!

Mustangs eager to get back on the court

Varsity Mustang #4 Peyton Alderete reads the defense at the top of the key against Sabinal High School. Photo by Moose Lopez.

Matthew “Moose” Lopez
Sports Editor
The Natalia boys varsity team are back from Thanksgiving break and ready to get back on the court. The Mustangs’(1-2) next matchup will be against McCullen County(6-1) and head coach Justin Welsh is relishing the challenge of taking on a tough team that is well-coached and has a rich history. 
“We want to come out focused, compete on every possession and use this game to prepare us for district play,” Welsh said.
Early in a season, it’s important to establish winning habits. Winning habits are…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!