Popular Categories


Uvalde girls look for improved hoops season


James Volz

Sports editor

The Uvalde Lobos enjoyed an improved season in high school girls’ basketball competition last season.

Second-year Uvalde High School girls’ head basketball coach Fortino Patiño hopes to build upon last year’s success as the Lobos head into the 2020-21 season.

“We had a lot of success last season, but not just in wins,” Patiño said. “Our players gained in confidence and experience. The girls now know what the expectations are and how much work they need to put in to experience more success.”

Four players from last season’s team were 2020 seniors, including Klarissa Sonora, Violet Gomez, Lenisa Tomasini and Sarrah Luna.

“Our seniors last season provided leadership and a willingness to follow a plan even though it was not what they were used to in the past,” Patiño said. “They helped to lay the groundwork for the future of the program. These seniors did not experience a lot of wins, but the wins they got were memorable.”

Three underclassmen from last season return to form the nucleus for the 2020-21 hoops campaign, including seniors Nataly Santos and A’Taisha Carroll, and sophomore Gabby Victorino.

Carroll, Santos and Victorino were among the top scorers and rebounders for the Lobos last season.

“These girls were a big part of our success last season and they should help us to move forward going into this season,” Patiño said.

Top newcomers who could impact the varsity team this coming season  are sophomores Maelynn Flores, Audrey Williams and Bailey Williams.

“These three girls and some others could play a big role for us this season,” Patiño said. “We hope to establish a strong program that is disciplined and will fight for a playoff spot.”

After two seasons of competition in District 28-5A, the Lobos will join new District 30-4A this season.

Their new district includes Carrizo Springs, Crystal City, Hondo and Pearsall.

“I think we should fit in well in our new district. Coming from a large Class 5A district, we will be facing fewer teams in our new district and we are more closely aligned with the schools in terms of size,” Patiño said. “Crystal City and Hondo have solid programs. They have been to the playoffs the last few years. But all of the schools in our new district will be tough.”

Assisting Coach Patiño with the UHS basketball program again this season will be Benjamin Brinkley and Kristina Finger.

Brinkley will coach the junior varsity team, while Finger will coach the freshman team.

Patiño put together a formidable pre-district slate that features several Class 6A schools, including Eagle Pass High, Eagle Pass Winn, and Del Rio.

The Lobos are scheduled to participate in three tournaments, including Harlandale, Southside, and Edgewood.

“Our pre-district schedule should help to prepare us for district play,” Patiño said. “It is a tough schedule.”

One thing that will set back the progress of Coach Patiño’s UHS basketball program in the short run is the suspension of sports activities caused by the COViD-19 pandemic.

“These trying times have made it difficult as far as our off-season program, summer strength and conditioning, and summer camps and leagues,” Patiño said. “Right now we are tying to visit with as many young players as we can to try to sell our program, so that we can get a lot of girls out to play basketball.

“We need to get more kids into our program at all levels,” Patiño said. “We will be working hard to do that.”

A’Taisha Carroll (No. 13) puts up a short-range jumpshot despite the defensive efforts of two Southside High School players. Carroll’s field goal attempt came during a District 28-5A basketball contest last season. Carroll, one of the leading scorers and rebounders for the Lobos last season, is among the list of players returning for the 2020-21 season.

A’Taisha Carroll (No. 13) puts up a short-range jumpshot despite the defensive efforts of two Southside High School players. Carroll’s field goal attempt came during a District 28-5A basketball contest last season. Carroll, one of the leading scorers and rebounders for the Lobos last season, is among the list of players returning for the 2020-21 season.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.