SUPERLATIVES
Player of the Year: Jayla Santa Maria, Edinburg High
Defensive Player of the Year: Jocy Amaya, Rio Grande City
Newcomer of the Year: Audry Hornaday, Sharyland Pioneer
Coach of the Year: Saul Arjona, Hidalgo
FIRST TEAM
Briana Peña, senior, guard, Weslaco High: Peña, The Monitor’s 2017 All-Area Player of the Year, led the Panthers with 16.5 points per game during the regular season.
Jackie Howell, junior, forward, Mission Veterans: Howell, who averaged 16.5 points, 9.6 rebounds, 2.0 steals and 1.3 assists, makes her first appearance as an All-Area First Team performer after making the Second Team in 2017.
Melly Palacios, senior, guard, PSJA North: After posting 15.2 points, 3.6 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 4.7 steals per game, Palacios won District 31-6A’s Most Valuable Offensive Player and was a member of the All-Defensive Team.
Ashley Arjona, senior, guard, Hidalgo: The daughter of The Monitor’s All-Area Coach of the Year Saul Arjona, Ashley averaged 8.4 points, 9.3 rebounds, 12.2 assists, 8.6 steals and 1.4 blocks.
Tani Talamantez, junior, guard, McAllen Memorial: Talamantez’s 13.9 points, 2.5 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 3.8 steals led the Mustangs to an undefeated season in district play.
SECOND TEAM
Mercedes Hernandez, senior, guard, Edinburg High: Hernandez (10.3 points, 4.4 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 3.2 steals) was one of two Bobcat guards to average at least 10 points, four rebounds and three steals per game.
Barbie Gutierrez, junior, forward, Hidalgo: Gutierrez will be a key returner for the Pirates after averaging 15.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 2.2 steals and 2.4 blocks in 2017-18.
Brianna Coffee, senior, guard, McAllen High: Coffee is an All-Area Second Team player again after averaging 15.3 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.1 steals in her final season.
Jenessah Santa Maria, junior, guard, Edinburg High: Jenessah (10.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 3.2 steals) is a younger sister of Jayla, The Monitor’s All-Area Player of the Year.
Jovanni Solis, senior, guard, McAllen Rowe: Solis was the Upper Valley’s second-leader in scoring at 19.3 points per game.
