LOTTA LOTTIE

Santa Rosa coach Lottie Zarate took one look at her roster and liked what she saw.

The Lady Warriors were young but talented, and Zarate thought they had potential for a District 32-2A championship.

 "When I came into the season I never thought we would win the district title because of the fact we were such a young team," she said.

But the Lady Warriors' emergence happened sooner than their coach thought. Zarate, the 2007-08 All-Valley Coach of the Year, led the Lady Warriors to a share of the district title, their first since 1991. Santa Rosa (25-9) also made the playoffs for the first time in four years and defeated Bloomington 61-59 in bi-district to earn its first postseason win in school history.

This was all accomplished while the Lady Warriors' leading scorers were sophomore Anika Lopez (16.3 points per game) and freshman Diamond Caballero (14.6 ppg).

"I believe it was a big deal for us to win that playoff  game, because it made the girls programs at Santa Rosa believe they can do it, too," Zarate said. "I think we are kind of overshadowed by our boys program, and it was nice to have some recognition for our girls program."

Zarate is joined on the All-Valley superlative list by Bianca Torre, a junior point guard for Harlingen South, who took home most valuable player honors. Torre averaged 25.6 ppg, 8.6 apg and 11.2 spg.

McAllen Rowe's Brittanie Nelson-Best earned newcomer of the year honors. Nelson-Best had to take on a larger role than expected because of injuries and was the team's leading scorer down the stretch to help Rowe make the playoffs.

The freshman averaged 10.6 ppg and 6.2 rpg.

"She had to do a lot for us," Rowe coach Raul Vega said. "For someone who is coming from an eighth grade schedule where she only played 12 games and all of them were in McAllen, I think she handled herself really well."

Nelson-Best felt the pressure of being on varsity, but knew she had to step up in order for her team to be successful.

"It's a real big honor," she said. "All the hard work me and my teammates put into it makes me feel like it was all worth it."

The All-Valley first team is led by highly regarded senior post Andi Garza,  a McAllen High standout. She averaged 21.2 ppg and 10.4 rpg and was the quiet leader on a team that made the regional tournament for the first time in 25 years.

"Andi gave inspired confidence to the team," said Lady Bulldogs coach Teresa Casso, who noted Garza has verbally committed to the University of Texas-Pan American. "She is one of those players who is quiet but stands out because of her work ethic. Andi is a finesse player, she anticipates the ball very well. She is versatile and she can rebound.

"She is just a great all-   around player."

The All-Valley forwards are McHi's Becca Valdez, a senior, and Hidalgo's Victoria Gonzalez, a junior.

Valdez averaged 11.7 ppg and 8.6 rpg during the regular season on a star-studded lineup, and came on strong during the playoffs, highlighted by her 16-point, 12-rebound performance against Converse Wagner in the Region IV semis.

"I think the playoffs are a lot more physical, and I think the playoffs lend itself to her physical style of play," Casso said.

Gonzalez averaged 22.0 ppg and led the Valley with 18.6 rpg.

"Victoria was obviously the MVP of our team," Lady Pirates coach Monica Rodriguez said. "She brings a lot to our program. She is just a great person, and I think that rubs off on the team. In my opinion she is up there with the Bianca Torres and the Andi Garzas.

"I think she will have another great season next year."

The All-Valley guards are Roma's Kristy Guerra and McAllen High's Lyndsie Currie.

Guerra, a junior, helped the Gladiators to the playoffs and a 20-win season after a dismal 2006-07 season. The 5-foot-1 guard led the team in scoring (16.6 ppg) and assists (5.6 apg) and was the District 32-4A co-offensive player of the year.

Currie, a senior guard for McHi, averaged 16.6 ppg and led the Lady Bulldogs with 4.9 apg and 5.0 spg.

"She is a very gifted shooter," Casso said. "She definitely has good court sense. She has a lot of heart and hustle."

Bianca Torre, guard, MVP
Bio:  2006-2007 All-Valley first team. ... set the Valley record and is tied for second all time nationally with 22 steals in a single game ... Named District 31-5A MVP the last two seasons ... Averaged 25.6 ppg, 11.2 spg , 8.4 apg and  7.6 rebounds per game. ... Named to the TABC Class 5A, Region IV team.

Brittanie Nelson-Best, forward/post,
Newcomer of the Year
Bio: Averaged 10.3 ppg and 6.2 rpg . ... Helped Rowe qualify for the playoffs and was named the District 30-5A Newcomer of The Year.

Lottie Zarate, Coach of the Year
School: Santa Rosa
Year: Second season
Bio: Led the Lady Warriors to the co-District 32-2A Championship, the team's first district title since 1991. ... Named the District 32-2A Coach of the year. ... Guided the team its first bi-district win and first playoff appearance in four years.

Kristy Guerra, guard, first team
Bio: Helped Roma to a 20-win season after failing to make the playoffs in 2007. ... Was the Valley's seventh leading scorer, averaging 16.6 ppg. ... Named the District 32-4A co-Offensive Player of the Year. ... Averaged 5.7 apg.

Lyndsie Currie, guard, first team
Bio: Averaged 16.6 ppg (sixth best in the Valley), 4.9 apg and 5.0 spg for the Lady Bulldogs during the regular season. ... Currie was named a District 30-5A first teamer.

Victoria Gonzalez, forward/post, first team
Bio: Averaged 22.0 ppg, good for second in the Valley this season. ... Led the Valley with 18.6 rpg. ... TABC Class 3A All-Region. ... District 32-3A MVP.

Becca Valdez, forward/post, first team
Bio: The 2004-05 All-Valley newcomer of the year. .... The District 30-5A all-district selection averaged 11.7 ppg and 8.6 rpg. ... Had 16 points and 12 rebounds against San Antonio Wagner in the regional semifinal.

Andi Garza, forward/post, first team
Bio: Named District 30-5A MVP. ... TABC Class 5A, All-Region. ... Averaged 21.2 ppg and 10.4 rpg. ... A 2006-07 All-Valley first teamer.

Peter Rasmussen covers girls basketball for The Monitor. You can reach him at (956) 683-4448.