Sports – Page 7 – The Devine News

Arabians win Marion Tourney Championship!

Arabian Oakley Malone plays tough defense in this past week’s tournament.

District begins Friday in Uvalde

Jerel Beaty
Staff writer
The Arabians brought home the team championship from the Marion Tournament that was held last weekend. Devine defeated Nixon-Smiley, Marion, Long Creek, and Blanco to go spotless -0 over the three-day hoop-fest, and cooped with their December 3 win over Marion, the Arabians went 5-0 over a 5-day span.
Kylie Monreal and Airyanna Rodriguez were named to the All-Tournament Team.
District 27-4A begins Friday December 13 in Uvalde then Devine hosts Carrizo Springs on Sessions’ Court inside Devine Student Activity Center.
vs Marion (Dec3)
Devine shot 44% from the floor and got a whopping 30 points off 29 Lady Bulldog miscues as the Arabians downed Marion 62-40 on the road. Kylie Monreal led the way with 19 points, got her hands on 18 deflections, and was credited with 13 steals leading to easy baskets on the other end of the floor.
Devine converted 18 of 37 inside the lane as they outscored Marion 36-18 from close range.
Double figure scorers included Natalie Valle with 16 and Kenadi Marek with 13. Monreal led with 19 points, 7 assists and 6 rebounds in her and her team’s…

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Warhorses sizzle Owls, Silver Bracket runners-up in Decatur Tourney

#2 Ray’sean Beaver

Jerel Beaty
Staff writer
Warhorse Head Basketball Coach Jacob Alegria had a busy, but extremely productive week last week as they destroyed the Owls in Hondo prior to hitting the pavement for the James Woods Tournament in Decatur.
“Most teams use tournaments to build chemistry and fine tune strategies before starting district play. Coaches may not always like to look at the silver lining in losses, but there were some definite positives and growth in this tournament. Some of the role players saw their roles expand and some of the starters seem to have found their groove,” Alegria stated. “We averaged just over 64 points a game for the tournament, forced opponents to 70 turnovers for an average of 17.5 a game and an average 16.3 assists a game. We look to use this tournament experience and our upcoming Yorktown Tournament to guide us the rest of the season.”
vs Hondo
Many may have been surprised that they did not have to change the singed basketball nets at halftime, on the Warhorse end of the court anyway, as they simply scorched Hondo on their home court December 3.
All 11 Horses that checked in at the scorer’s table scored at least two points in Devine’s 68-37 domination.
Devine led 24-6 after the first eight minutes and kept piling it on as they took a 40-12 lead into the more than jubilant halftime locker room before leading by as much as 52-14 midway through the third quarter.
Karson Ray led the way with 12 points and Mason Beaver posted 10 points, but it was a complete team effort all the way through. Devine shot 43% from the floor including an impressive…

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JV Horses battle Owls in final minute 45-42 heartbreaker

Junior Varsity Warhorses #33 Becker Byrd and #15 Dylan Hinnant wait for the rebound in the Nov. 26 game. Photo by C Richard.

Jerel Beaty
Staff writer
The JV Horses dropped a 45-42 heartbreaker against the Owls in Hondo on December 3. Tied at 42, Hondo hit a three-pointer with 49 seconds left to pull out the win in front of their home folks.
It was no doubt a tight one as teams exchanged leads nine different times throughout the ball game. Devine trailed 9-8 after the first quarter but bounced back nicely in the second quarter taking a 20-16 lead into the break.
Dylan Hinnant led the way with 11 points while Jacob McKee grabbed 11 boards. Becker Byrd dished out 5 assists.
Others scoring were McKee with 9 points, Byrd 6, Caden Mann 6, Shawn Lowe 6, Jace Martinez 2, and Sergio DeLeon 2.
Team members contributing in other ways besides scoring were Jack Rumfield, Gavin Sanchez, and Rex Hershberger.
Devine was off last Friday as the varsity Horses were in Decatur for a tournament and played Bandera December 10.

Lytle Powerlifting ready to rack up some medals!

Jerel Beaty
Staff writer
Lytle Head Powerlifting Coach Melissa Gomez along with new assistant coach Shelley Armentrout will be ready to roll (and wrap) once January 4 rolls around as the Pirate team begins its season at Cotulla High School. The Lady Pirates crank it up the following week on January 8 in Natalia.
“We are excited to welcome back numerous experienced and qualifying returners, along with talented new lifters and our new Assistant Coach, Shelley Armentrout,” Gomez stated. “This program continues to thrive, so come out and support your Lytle Powerlifting team!”
Gomez pointed out accomplishments of her 2024 squad that included 3 Pirates qualifying for Regional and 2 of those advancing to State, earning a 2nd and 3rd place medal in the process while Lady Pirates qualified 7 for Regional and 2 to State.
Things are looking great for Lytle, so check out the schedule below and make it a point…

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Yorktown Tournament on tap for Warhorses

Varsity Warhorse Mason Beaver evades the Bulldog team members followed by #14 Cecilio De La Garza during the Nov. 26 game.

Yorktown Tournament on tap for Warhorses
Jerel Beaty
Staff writer
After a camaraderie-filled trip to Decatur, the Warhorse hoopsters hit the road for their last tournament of the season as they make the much shorter trip to Yorktown December 12, 13, and 14.
Devine’s Pool B competition includes Goliad, San Marcos Homeschool, St. Lutheran, and Beeville JV. After completion of pool-play games Thursday and Friday, the Horses will play a team from Pool A on Saturday at a time to be determined.
Pool A teams are host Yorktown, Stockdale, Falls City, Weimar, and Bloomington.
On Thursday, Devine opens against St. Lutheran at 10:30am followed by a 3:00pm tip against San Marcos Homeschool.
Friday’s two contests include a 10:30am tipoff against Goliad and a 3:00pm jump versus Beeville JV.

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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