Four teams claim championships during final day of BISD Showcase

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BROWNSVILLE — The three-day Brownsville ISD Showcase came to a close Saturday, with the top two teams from each group competing for their bracket’s championship.

This year’s tournament featured 32 teams from across the RGV, Laredo and Coastal Bend, each put into one of four groups.

Each group, which consisted of eight teams, competed in a single elimination style tournament, with the winner of each being crowned a champion. Here’s a look at how each of the group’s final game played out.

GROUP A

Group A’s championship game featured a pair of District 32-5A rivals squaring off for the crown, with Brownsville Lopez and Harlingen South taking the pitch.

The Hawks nabbed an early 1-0 lead over the Lobos during the match, finding paydirt on a direct kick by senior Javier Martinez.

Harlingen South’s lead quickly evaporated during the second half, with Lopez tying the game on a successful penalty kick by senior Ramon “Chacho” Zuniga during the 54th minute.

The Lobos took the lead just two minutes later, with Jonathan Gomez crossing a corner kick directly into the goal to make it 2-1.

Lopez kept their foot on the gas after taking the lead, deploying a relentless offensive attack to keep South on the defensive and hold on for the win.

The Lobos finished the showcase with a trio of wins, taking down La Joya Palmview (6-2), Edinburg Economedes (3-1) and Harlingen South (2-1).

GROUP B

Brownsville Rivera was the second of two BISD schools to earn championships during the 42nd annual showcase, taking down Laredo United South 2-0 on Saturday during the Group B championship.

After a scoreless first half, the Raiders proved too much for the Panthers during the second behind an offense led by captain Adrian Longoria.

The two-time Herald/Star DPOTY award winner helped Rivera get the scoring started just three minutes into the second half, crossing a pass into the box to Christopher Medina, who finished the play by heading the ball past the goalkeeper for the goal.

Longoria followed it up by adding a goal of his own during the 50th minute, firing a direct kick from 30 yards out and into the back of the net to make it 2-0.

The Raiders finished the tournament without allowing a single goal, outscoring their three opponents 5-0. Rivera picked up wins over Sharyland High (2-0), Harlingen High (1-0) and Laredo United South during the three-day showcase.

GROUP C

Saturday’s first matchup of the day presented a potential playoff preview, with District 31-5A’s Sharyland Pioneer taking on 32-5A’s Weslaco East.

The two teams battled to a stalemate during the first half before the Diamondbacks broke the game open during the 60th minute on a goal by Jonathan Urbie.

Sharyland Pioneer kept on the attack after the goal, with Shawn Dinger adding to their lead just five minutes later to make it 2-0.

The Diamondbacks stifled the Wildcats during the rest of the period, making it near impossible for Weslaco East to find enemy territory as they held on for the Group C championship.

Sharyland Pioneer finished the tournament by outscoring their three opponents 7-1, picking up wins over Brownsville Pace (2-1), Port Isabel (3-0) and Weslaco East.

GROUP D

Laredo United was the lone non-RGV squad to claim a championship during Saturday’s action, with the Longhorns taking down the Brownsville Veterans Chargers 2-1 during the Group D championship.

A two-goal first half performance by Damian Gomez put the Longhorns up 2-0 at the break, with the midfielder finding paydirt during the 4th and 17th minutes.