Life on JV hoops is a learning experience

Jerel Beaty
Staff writer
The JV Horses have not had the opportunity to play as many games a week as their varsity brethren over the last couple of weeks. While the varsity was playing tournaments in Decatur and Yorktown, the JV sat idle waiting on district to guarantee their games happening every Tuesday and Friday…well, at least after the Christmas break anyway.
JV and assistant varsity coach Zac Valenzuela understands the trials and tribulations of being a “sub-varsity” player in basketball, especially in Devine where hoop expectations are always high regardless level of competition.
“Playing sub-varsity basketball for Devine is tough,” Valenzuela stated after tough games versus Bandera and Davenport. “We appreciate that so many student-athletes tryout, but we can only keep so many on each of the teams.”
Early game times, small crowds, and most of the time hitting the court without cheerleaders pumping up the people who are in the gym makes it a daunting task at times to keep even those that make the squad.
“Even after we make cuts to get a manageable number of players to practice and play games with, some who survive tryouts often wind up cutting…

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Natalia HS Boys Basketball Game Recaps

12/17-12/20/2024

By Coach Justin Welsh
Varsity Boys Basketball @ Jourdanton – 12/17/2024
The Mustangs hit the road Tuesday to face the Jourdanton Indians in the District 28-3A opener. A slow start on both ends of the floor put the Mustangs in an early hole, as the Indians came out firing on all cylinders. Jourdanton outscored the Mustangs 14-6 in the first quarter, with Dominic San Miguel contributing 4 points and David Rodriguez adding 2 for the Mustangs.
The second quarter saw a surge in offensive production for the Mustangs. After falling behind 25-12 with 4:50 remaining, the team responded with a 14-2 run sparked by San Miguel, Rodriguez, and Peyton Alderete. This rally trimmed the deficit to just 3 points, 27-24. However, the Indians closed the half strong, extending their lead back to 9 points at 35-26.
The third quarter was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams finding success offensively. Alderete led the Mustangs with 9 points in the quarter, including two clutch three-pointers. Despite their efforts, Jourdanton slightly edged the Mustangs in the period, taking a 54-43 lead into the fourth quarter.
In the final frame, the Mustangs found themselves trailing by as many as 13 points but refused to back down. A three-pointer by San Miguel narrowed the gap to 10 with 3:38 remaining. With two minutes left, the Mustangs turned up their defensive intensity, forcing…

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Warhorses open District 27-4A

66-59 road win in Pleasanton
Ray, Davis, M. Beaver combine for 57 points

Jerel Beaty
Staff writer
The first and fourth quarters were huge for Devine in their District 27-4A road opener in Pleasanton last Friday afternoon. The Horses shot a combined 15 of 28 (54%) from the floor in those bookend periods that helped secure their 66-59 victory over the Eagles.
Karson Ray had a monster game for Devine as he smacked down 26 points and grabbed 9 rebounds. Tanner Davis also came up big, getting a double-double with 18 points and 12 boards and Mason Beaver tacked on another 13 points and dished out 7 assists.
Ray’sean Beaver has been dealing dimes all year long and this night was no different as he finished with 7 assists. Christian Beaver cleaned the glass for 10 rebounds, gathering 5 on each end of the court.
As good as Devine was from close range (25 of 50 for 50%), they were just the opposite from beyond the arc as they connected on only 2 of 19 attempts (11%).
Stats
Karson Ray 26 points, 9 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal; Tanner Davis 18 points, 12 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 2 blocked shots; Mason Beaver 13 points, 4 rebounds, 7 assists, 1 deflection, 1 steal; Gavin Williamson 5 points, 9 rebounds, 1 steal; Ray’sean Beaver 4 points, 5 rebounds, 7 assists, 4 deflections; Christian Beaver 10 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 deflections; Cecilio De La Garza 1 rebound, 1 assist, 1 steal.

Yes, Santa, there is a JV Arabian hoop team

Devine downs Lady Cats 44-21 to open district

Jerel Beaty
Staff writer
Thank you, Nancy Martin, for sending in pictures of the scorebook in the Arabian JV team’s 44-21 victory over visiting Carrizo Springs on December 17.
Karsyn Mann made nine field goals and was a perfect 3 for 3 at the free throw line to lead her team with 21 points. Nine of those 21 accounted for all of Devine’s first quarter points in their taking of a 9-1 lead early in the game.
Caroline Suhr added 7 points, including a three-pointer in the second quarter. Calleigh Schneider scored 4 of her 6 points in the second quarter while Greeley Malone scored 4 of her 6 points in the fourth quarter.
Lilly Owen and Payton Appling each added 2 points and Ariel Ottinger contributed in ways other than in the scoring column.

Arabians open District 27 with win in Uvalde

Arabians Nat Valle and Yaya Rodriguez put pressure on the defense Photo by J DuBose

Jerel Beaty
Staff writer
Devine defeated Uvalde 66-22 December 13 to open District 27-4A 1-0 prior to their December 17 tilt at the newly named Sessions Court at Devine Student Activity Center.
“We had a great first quarter which we were up 20-0 and then went into half 39-8,” Head Coach Hannah Thompson stated Tuesday right at press time. “The girls played with high energy, everyone contributed, and it was an overall fun game.”
Airyanna Rodriguez led with 14 points and Natalie Valle scored 12.
No other stats were available due to a mix up.
vs La Vernia
The Arabians pulled out a thriller in La Vernia 35-34 as Natalia Valle scored 16 points to lead Devine. Kylie Monreal and Airyanna Rodriguez each chipped in 7 while Oakly Malone nailed a huge 3-pointer in the fourth quarter and Kenadi Marek added 2 points.
Malone’s three-pointer tied the game at 32 in the waning moments, and Valle’s last of her four threes on the night proved to be the game-winner as La Vernia’s last second three-point attempt doinked off the rim to give the Arabians the electrifying victory.
Free throws did not translate into “free points” for the Lady Bears as they bricked 13 of 25 attempts in their loss.
Upcoming
The Arabians play Pleasanton December 21 and Pearsall December 31 to close out 2024.

Devine Athletic Boosters hosts Fall Sports Banquet

Arabians Kylie Monreal and Yaya Rodriguez earned ALL-Tourney Awards in Marion.

Jerel Beaty
Staff writer
The Devine Athletic Boosters (DAB) recently hosted the Fall Sports Awards Banquet as it celebrated the grit and determination of all Arabian and Warhorse student-athletes who spent countless hours perfecting their craft.
Whether it was spiking a volleyball, slicing a tennis serve, conquering a grueling cross-country course, or lighting up opponents on the football field each athlete provided an unimaginable number of magical moments for everyone to remember.
A huge “Thank You!” to the Devine Athletic Boosters for their tireless work and unwavering support throughout not only the Fall sports but for what they will undoubtedly do and have already done for the spring sports as well.
Your contributions should never go unnoticed.
Congratulations to all the student-athletes who represented yourself, your school, and your community with pride and joy!
Volleyball
Airyanna Rodriguez-Most Valuable Player; Charlie Rangel-Defensive Most Valuable Player; Kynedie Cruz-Outstanding Setter; Katie Rios-Heart of an Arabian; Skylar Blanton…

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Horses hitting their stride entering District action

Congratulations to the Warhorse Varsity basketball team for going 5-0, winning the Yorktown tournament

Jerel Beaty
Staff writer
Devine has been on an absolute tear lately as they picked up six consecutive wins prior to last night’s contest in Davenport. The Warhorses could not have picked a better time as District 27-4A begins Friday night in Pleasanton.
Head Coach Jacob Alegria on what he foresees for his troops.
“We are hoping to carry over a tough non-district schedule experience into district play. District 27-4A figures to be an exciting slate of games.
Defending champion Somerset returns a solid squad and figures to be in the mix once again while Pearsall returns its main offensive weapon and looks to be a district threat.
Floresville also beefed up its non-district schedule to help its young team and look to be a contender as well and Carrizo Springs has some consistent outside shooters that makes them a threat to….

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Warhorses Yorktown Tourney Champs

Congratulations to Warhorses Mason Beaver for being selected as the Tournament MVP and Karson Ray for All-tourney

Beaver Tournament MVP, Ray All-Tournament
Devine goes 6-0 last week as District nears

Jerel Beaty
Staff writer
After bullying past Bandera 75-66 on the road on December 10, Devine went on a tear in Yorktown by going 5-0 over three days to capture the tournament championship.
“We started off hot against Bandera with a 23-point first quarter and held an 8 point advantage after one period,” Head Coach Jacob Alegria commented on the December 10 road game. “We were able to hold off a furious charge by the Bulldogs to earn the win.”
In Bandera
Devine had five additional wins in addition to the thumping they laid on the Bulldogs as the Warhorses won the Yorktown Wildcat Winter Classic December 12-14, going undefeated in the process.
vs Bandera
Mason Beaver’s 31-point night on 13 of 17 shooting performance of Devine’s beginning-to-end blasting of Bandera on the road as they picked up a convincing 75-66 victory against the Bulldogs.
Mason nailed 76% of his shots including 3 of 4 from 19’9 and 6 of 10 from the charity stripe. His shooting as well as the rest of the Horses hotness from the floor began from the opening tip as Devine shot 50% or better in each of the four quarters and connected on a whopping 54% for the entire game.
Ray’sean Beaver messed around and got himself a triple-double as he scored 10 points, grabbed 11 boards, and dished out…

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8th Colts split with Carrizo Springs

#13 Collier Paige at the free throw line

Jerel Beaty
Staff writer
A-team
A strong second half saw the Colts rally from an 18-13 halftime deficit to a 44-35 victory on Sessions Court in the Devine Student Activity Center.
Jordan Beaver led the Colts with 17 points with 7 of those coming in the big third-quarter swing. Nathan Valle added 9 points with an amazing 8 of those also coming during the Colts 23-point third quarter run.
Collier Page and CeasarTroy Vidaurri each knocked down 7 points each and Moses Contreras added 2 points.
Paige was a monster on the glass as he snatched down 12 rebounds on the night to go along with his 3 blocked shots and 2 steals. Ezekiel Simmons added the other Colt blocked shot.
Other rebounders were Valle with 7, Contreras with 5, Beaver, Vidaurri, and Simmons each with 3, and David Espinosa III added I.
Vidaurri paced the defense with 5 steals followed by Beaver, Valle, and Contreras who each had 2, and Gabriel Lopez who was credited…

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THSCA Academic All-State

7 Warhorse Football members

Jacob Sollock, Tate Wisenbaker, Ayden Leal, Matthew Gomez, Gavin Socarras, Savannah Parker & Logan Davis

Jerel Beaty
Staff writer
Texas High School Coaches Association released its Academic All-State honor list last week and seven Devine High School students earned recognition for their outstanding accomplishments inside the classroom over the last seven semesters of their high school career.
Warhorse football players Matthew Gomez, Ayden Leal, Gavin Socarras, Jacob Sollock, and Tate Wisenbaker along with student-trainer Savannah Parker made Honorable and student-manager Logan Davis made Second Team.
“We are so proud of these young men and young woman!” Head Coach Paul Gomez stated. “It is a tremendous accomplishment and honor to be recognized for athletic and academic excellence!”
THSCA, “We understand that students’ performance in the classroom can sometimes be difficult to manage while participating in athletics, but their hard work has not gone unnoticed. The THSCA Academic All-State Teams recognize senior high school athletes, trainers and managers who excel in the following categories: GPA, class rank and ACT/SAT score. Team members are being recognized based on their scores in these categories. We applaud them for their commitment and dedication to perform with the highest of excellence academically and on the field or court.”
Nominees must either be an athlete, or student trainer, or manager in good standing with the team of good moral character with an overall grade point average of 92 or above including courses from grades 9-11 and courses completed from grade 12 with weighted GPAs only 92 or above accepted.
“To have seven Academic All-State students representing Devine Warhorse Football is awesome! I am so proud of these student athletes and student trainers!” Gomez commented in closing.