THSCA Academic All-State for 3 Pirate football players

Estrada, Flores, & Pacheco

Jerel Beaty
Staff writer
Texas High School Coaches Association released its Academic All-State honor list last week and three Lytle High School student-athletes earned recognition for their exceptional achievements inside the classroom over the last seven semesters of their high school career.
Pirate football players Luke Estrada, Jair Flores, and Nico Pacheco all made the honoree list with Estrada earning Second Team recognition while Flores and Pacheco made Honorable Mention.
“Congratulations to three of our senior student-athletes who have demonstrated academic excellence off the field!,” commented Pirate Head Coach Mike Trevino.
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.

Lady Pirates ready for District 28-3A action

Jerel Beaty
Staff writer
A close contest against Randolph did not go in the Lady Pirates favor as they came out on the short end of a 33-26 contest at home December 3.
Lytle may finally be getting healthy, and it could not come at a more important time of the year as the Lady Pirates begin district December 10 in Dilley before following that up December 13 at home against Poteet then back on the road in Cotulla December 17.
“We finally had all 10 players back so hopefully that will continue the rest of the season,” said Head Coach Lori Wilson.
District teams
Hondo, Jourdanton, Crystal City, Natalia, Poteet, Cotulla, Dilley, and Lytle.
vs Randolph
Lytle owned the paint against the Ro-Hawks, but seemingly could not hit a shot outside the colored area in their 7-point, 33-26 loss against Randolph.
“We scored a majority of…

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7 spots taken by Mustangs on All District selections

Jerel Beaty
The Natalia Mustangs had seven representatives on the District 15-3A DII list as voted on by head coaches from Cotulla, Nixon-Smiley, Poth, Dilley, Stockdale, Karnes City, YMLA, and Natalia. Coaches are not allowed to vote for their own player.
With three of the four district team’s advancing past Bi-District, and Poth playing all the way until last weekend when they bowed out in the Regional Semifinals, the list of honorees had been kept under lock and key until this point.
The sole First Team Offense honoree for the Mustangs was sophomore quarterback, Leonardo Buentello, while junior linebacker, Mosses Leija, was First Team Defense.
Second Team Offense went to junior wide receiver, Damian Aguinaga, while Second Team Defense was awarded to senior defensive lineman, Adam Terrazas.
Honorable Mention was sophomore defensive back, Andrew Monreal, and junior wide receiver, Juan Gonzales.
Leija was a dual-honoree as he was tabbed at Honorable Mention Running Back.

Colts hoops take 3 of 4 from Pearsall

The 8th grade Devine Colts basketball players are Logan K. Alexander, Joe M. Balderrama, Jordan D. Beaver, Steven J. Caballero, Israel J. Casas Jr, Moses A. Contreras, Kash R. Esparza, David M. Espinosa III, Gabriel J. Lopez, Johnny T. Martinez, Aiden P. Montgomery, Collier D. Paige, Kaleb B. Pompa Gonzalez, Brody H. Poppe, Zachary S. Settles Jr, Ezekiel P. Simmons, Phoenix L. Snider, Charles E. Stricker III, Slade A. Thomas, Nathan M. Valle, and Cesartroy I. Vidaurri. The team managers are Nolan Beaty and Troy Guerra.

Jerel Beaty
Staff writer
Devine Middle School Colts opened their 2024-2025 season on the road in Pearsall last Thursday. The 7th B, 8th B, and 8th A all came away with victories while the 7th A went down in defeat.
The 7th B team won a tight one 17-15. After scoring 13 points in the first half, Devine managed only four points in the second half but was able to hold on for the win.
Caleb Martinez led the way with 7 points followed by Cole Maxwell with 3, Lane Gonzales 2, Brandon Fancher 2, Marcus Cervantes 2, and Landon Martinez 1.
Maxwell hit an all-important free throw with under a minute to play that helped his team to ensure victory.
The 7th A team had their offense going pretty well, but could not get stops on the defensive end of the court in their 48-33 loss.
A big second quarter as far as points go was Devine score of 14 not translating to the second half as the Colts only scored 10 points total after the break.
Ty Stehle and James Morrison each had 7 points while Rocky Hernandez, Aaron Moralez, and Johnny Ross each had 5, and Ronnie Ortiz put in 4.
The 8th B team got the Colts back on the winning track as they won a low-scoring tilt 13-5. Phoenix Snider led Devine with 6 points and 6 rebounds. Kaleb Pompa-Gonzalez sank a three-pointer while Logan Alexander and Joe Balderrama each had two points.
Other stats included…

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The 7th grade Devine Colts basketball players are Jalen Alegria, Marcus Cervantes, Brandon Fancher, Jacob Frazier, Christopher Gongora Jr, Lane Gonzales, Rocky Hernandez, Coltyn Lafond, Caleb Martinez, Landon Martinez, Cole Maxwell, Aaron Moralez, James Morrison, Zachary Morrison, Ronnie Ortiz, Jayln Perez, Aedin Pinson, Noah Riou, Johnny Ross III, Ricky Silva, Deshawn Simmons, Ty Stehle, and Myles Wilkins. The team managers are Camilo Cupian and Colton Davis.

7th Fillys slide by Pearsall

7th Grade Fillys Basketball team. Back row: (left to right) Jacklynn Clark, Brooke Stacy, Alexandria Camacho, Brooklyn Kendrick, Alessandra Zamora, Beana Steinbrunner, and Chloe Ornelas. Middle row: Allison Balencia, Emily Cashion, Lilliana Rodriguez, Clover Salinas, Brylee Adriano, and Riley Hennessey. Front row: Savannah Solis, Meela Luna, Rebekah Boehme, Juliana Rivas, Leighton Williams, Allyson Muniz-Arteaga, and Sophia Espinosa. Not pictured is Sophia Sereno.

Jerel Beaty
Staff writer
The 7th A Fillys defeated Pearsall 34-10 on December 5, but it was not a cake-walk like the final score shows, according to Coach Kara Stacy.
“A number of forced plays and unfinished layups made for a slower start in this game,” Stacy stated. “Once we were finally able to stay patient on offense as well as playing solid defense, the girls were unstoppable!”
Juliana Rivas and Lilliana Rodriguez combined for 20 points as each finished with 10 points. Rebekah Boehme, Leighton Williams, Alexandria Camacho, and Brooke Stacy also got into the scorebook.
Allesandra Zamora and Juliana Rivas set the tone on the glass as each snatched 4 rebounds while Lilliana Rodriguez grabbed 6 steals and Brooke Stacy added 4.
Allison Balencia led the…

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8th Fillys get all the help they need in defeating Pearsall

8th Grade Fillys Basketball team. Top row: (left to right) Rozlyn Courtado, Rubie Wevel, Prezley Freeburn, Amy Outlaw, Kallisyn Bedford, Karsyn Mann, and Emma McIver. Middle row: Priscila Rodriguez Limon, Angeline Stafford, Megan Miles, Jillian Brumage, Bella Perez, Madelynn Mitchell, and Dresden Talamantes. Front row: Myla Sorrell, Illiana Settles, Jessa Mata, Hali Carroll, and Olivia Taylor.

Jerel Beaty
Staff writer
The 8th Fillys trounced Pearsall December 5, picking up wins by both the A and B teams.
B vs Pearsall
After falling behind 12-6, it was all Devine as they cruised to the 36-16 win on Sessions’ Court inside Devine Student Activity Center on December 5.
Megan Miles scored 22 points to lead the way offensively, scoring 6 points in each of the first three quarters.
Madelynn Mitchell added 4 points as did Rubie Weyel while Angeline Stafford, Jillian Brumage, and Bella Perez each made a two-point shot.
Pearsall got out to a good start scoring-wise as they put in 12 of their 16 points in the first quarter.
“We got out to a slow start in the first quarter,” stated Coach Leigh Anne McIver. “We missed a lot of close range shots and were not playing transition defense.”
After the break between the opening quarters, McIver and her team buckled down defensively and allowed only 4 points the rest of the way.
“In the 2nd quarter it was a totally different story as we picked it up and never looked back.”
Pearsall managed one basket in the second quarter…

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Warhorse hoops hit the pavement to Decatur Tourney Dec. 5-7

#0 Mason Beaver runs past

Team-traveling is more than just basketball

Jerel Beaty
Staff writer
Warhorse hoops fans get the opportunity to travel up I35 to Decatur this weekend to catch Devine Basketball compete in the James Woods Invitational at Decatur High School December 5, 6, and 7.
The Horses are in Pool B and take on Pottsboro at 3:30pm Thursday before ending the day against host Decatur at 6:30pm. Pool-play results determine Devine’s opponent and game time for Friday and Saturday tipoffs.
As for hitting the road for a few games, there is something about packing up a bunch of teenage boys into a school bus and heading off to a distant high school gym that screams character-building-goldmine as playing a basketball tournament in an unfamiliar location against unknown opponents is one of the best things that can happen to a high school team.
Traveling forces players to spend time together in ways that a home game does not. On the road, they share meals, playlists, and inside jokes. They figure out who is the loudest snorer, who can recite a specific episode of The Simpson’s word for word, and exactly…

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Horses beat Indians 76-63

#4 Tanner Davis takes the shot. Basketball photos by Catherine Richard.

Jerel Beaty
Staff writer
Devine was able to wrap up its Thanksgiving break with a decisive win over Jourdanton on November 30. The Horses drummed the Indians 76-63 on Sessions’ Court inside Devine Student Activity Center.
Christian Beaver led the way with 21 points and 5 rebounds while Mason Beaver added 14 points and 4 assists. Ray’sean Beaver had 9 dimes and 6 steals.
The Horses were en fuego from the floor as they shot 45% for the game while their defense held the Indians to 39%. Devine shot a whopping 55% from two-point range (17 of 31) and made a respectable 32% from downtown (8 of 25).
Free throws continue to be an issue as the Horses only converted 10 of 20 from the charity stripe.
Stats vs Jourdanton
Mason Beaver 14 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 deflection, 4 steals; Christian Beaver 21 points, 5 rebounds, 1 deflection; Tanner Davis 9 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals; Ray’sean Beaver 8 points, 3 rebounds, 9 assists, 2 deflections, 6 steals; Gavin Williamson 7 points, 2 steals, 1 assist, 2 deflections, 3 steals; Karson Ray 6 points, 6 rebounds, 2 deflections…

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Lady Pirates working out some kinks

Jerel Beaty
Staff writer
After picking up a nice 30-26 victory on the road in Leakey the Friday prior to Thanksgiving, the Lady Pirates stumbled just a bit in their 52-40 loss to Nixon-Smiley last Tuesday.
Arianna Garcia and Lunna Reyes led the way against the Lady Eagles. In Leakey, the girls did a great job “handling the ball and getting it inside to our two post players” according to Head Coach Lori Wilson.
The Leakey win was a “big confidence boost to younger players” as well.
However, the turnover bug struck the Lady Pirates against the Lady Mustangs as they committed a season-high 43 in Lytle’s 12-point defeat.
“We shot 16/42 from the field (36.2%) and struggled from the free line 5-16 (31.3%) against Nixon-Smiley. Turnovers have been our worst enemy this year and we just have to make better decisions in pressure situations. We are working hard every day to improve in this area.”
Garcia dropped her season-high 20 points and grabbed 7 rebounds while Reyes added 7 points and 16 boards.
Mia Rollins added 3 points and 4 rebounds.

Pirate B-Ball recap

The Pirates were led by #5 Senior Zach Perez scoring 27 points and having 3 assists and 3 rebounds.
Courtesy Photo.

By Jacob Hernandez
Head Boys Basketball
 Last week the Lytle Pirates finished up the SAISD tour going 2-0 over the thanksgiving break. The Pirates beat Fox Tech HS 56-37 and beat YMLA  69-47.
The Pirates were led offensively by Senior Zach Perez scoring 20 points vs Fox Tech and 34 points vs YMLA.  At times last week Zach Perez was unstoppable getting to the basket. What a week for the Senior.
 Last night the Pirates traveled to SA Kennedy HS and lost at the buzzer 73-71. As we play each game, I’m reminded that we are still young and have 5 new varsity players trying to step in and continue the winning culture. The Pirates had 18 turnovers and allowed SA Kennedy to make 12 three pointers to our 2 three pointer makes which puts us at a minus as each basket was made.
The Pirates played hard and led the majority of the way, but our youth showed in the fourth quarter losing a 10-point lead and allowing a wide open uncontested three point shot with 1.2 seconds left for Kennedy to win the game.
Once again offensively the Pirates were led by #5 Senior Zach Perez scoring 27 points and having 3 assists and 3 rebounds. Junior #2 Chase Guevara scored 20 points and had 3 steals. 
These two are the remaining players left from the State Tournament team a few years back but must now find a way to lead this year’s team to glory. They understand the challenge and they know as each game is played; we must get better each week.  
The Pirates will host one of the most competitive tournaments in region 4 this year having 9 state ranked teams coming Thursday and Friday of this week to compete with one another. Season record
stands at 3-2 as of Tuesday.