Progress Times

The 2024-25 sports season has officially wrapped up and Progress Times is proud to reflect on the standout moments that defined the year for our athletes. Over the next two months, we’ll be celebrating 30 of the top sports highlights in no order* from Mission CISD, Sharyland ISD, and La Joya ISD–Ten from each school district. From major team victories and standout performances to state tournament appearances and individual accolades, these posts are our way of recognizing the hard work, dedication, and success of the Big 7 Sports community.

Mission CISDs Tom Lee, Joseph “Jody” Cantu named as MCISD AD and Mission Eagles’ head football coach, respectively.

Mission CISD changed directions in its athletics department this year with two marquee hires meant to reinforce the district's proud winning tradition and reignite the same at its flagship high school. In June, the Mission CISD school board selected Mission High School Alumnus Tom Lee as its new athletic director following the retirement of Leticia "Letty" Ibarra. After a successful tenure as head football coach of the Sharyland Pioneer Diamondbacks and then as SISD assistant athletic director, Lee left Sharyland ISD and headed back home to Mission. Six months later, Lee and the MCISD School board made a splash hire when they selected Joseph "Jody" Cantu as the next head coach of the Mission High Eagles following the departure of Daniel "Danny" Longoria in December. The two new faces will look to revitalize the Eagle's nascent football program in the years to come.

16/30

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https://www.progresstimes.net/2025/06/04/2024-2025-big-7-high-school-sports-highlights/

The 2024-25 sports season has officially wrapped up and Progress Times is proud to reflect on the standout moments that defined the year for our athletes. Over the next two months, we’ll be celebrating 30 of the top sports highlights in no order* from Mission CISD, Sharyland ISD, and La Joya ISD–Ten from each school district. From major team victories and standout performances to state tournament appearances and individual accolades, these posts are our way of recognizing the hard work, dedication, and success of the Big 7 Sports community.

Palmview Lady Lobos District Champions, first time Bi-District Champions, Nicole Flores MVP.

Last year, the Palmview Lady Lobos basketball team made history by bringing home a district championship for the first time in the program's history. This year, they did it again by bringing home the district title for the second time and a Bi-District title for the first time. The Lobos finished with an overall 27-8 record and a district record of 15-1. They went on to face the CC Veterans Memorial Eagles in the Bi-District round, where they would win and advance to the Area round. Though their journey in the playoffs ended, they have slowly built a foundation for future success by continuing to improve. Senior Nicole Flores earned herself the District 30-5A MVP award this season with game averages of 19 points, four rebounds, two assists, two steals on 48% shooting. Her leadership to this team was unmatched, cementing herself amongst the great athletes to step foot in Palmview High School.

15/30

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Progress Times Photos by Joe Vela 📸
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https://progresstimes.smugmug.com/Sports/Palmview/Nov-30-2024-Girls-Basketball-Juarez-Lincoln-vs-Palmview-JV

*This is not a ranking.

The Sharyland Board of Trustees amended a previously approved compensation plan in favor of a more robust option that Superintendent Dr. Elaine Howard said was “monumental.” ⬇️

Sharyland approves ‘monumental’ compensation plan Sharyland approves ‘monumental’ compensation plan By Lea Juarez | June 30, 2025 | 0 The Sharyland Board of Trustees amended a previously approved compensation plan in favor of a more robust option that Superintendent Dr. Elaine Howard said was “monumental.”   For the 2025-26 school year, Sh...

Donna Mayor David Moreno sued the city’s school district in late June, claiming Donna ISD demoted him unfairly...

Donna mayor sues school district over demotion Donna mayor sues school district over demotion By Matt Wilson | July 3, 2025 | 0 Donna Mayor David Moreno sued the city’s school district in late June, claiming Donna ISD demoted him unfairly while he worked there after he allegedly failed to report some teachers causing a drunken disturbance on a...

A Mission Consolidated Independent School District administrator who formerly held one of the district’s top administrative spots announced her retirement Monday. ⬇️

Longtime Mission CISD administrator retires Longtime Mission CISD administrator retires By Matt Wilson | June 30, 2025 | 0 A Mission Consolidated Independent School District administrator who formerly held one of the district’s top administrative spots announced her retirement Monday.   Courtesy of Mission CISD   According to Mission CISD...

The Hidalgo Independent School District approved a $210,000 three-year contract with new Superintendent J.A. Gonzalez on June 16. ⬇️

New superintendent inks contract with Hidalgo ISD New superintendent inks contract with Hidalgo ISD By Matt Wilson | June 30, 2025 | 0 The Hidalgo Independent School District approved a $210,000 three-year contract with new Superintendent J.A. Gonzalez on June 16.     Hidalgo trustees named Gonzalez, who previously led McAllen ISD and Harlingen C...

The 2024-25 sports season has officially wrapped up and Progress Times is proud to reflect on the standout moments that defined the year for our athletes. Over the next two months, we’ll be celebrating 30 of the top sports highlights in no order* from Mission CISD, Sharyland ISD, and La Joya ISD–Ten from each school district. From major team victories and standout performances to state tournament appearances and individual accolades, these posts are our way of recognizing the hard work, dedication, and success of the Big 7 Sports community.

Sharyland Rattlers’ Kenisha Martinez District 31-5A MVP; Rattlers’ volleyball three-peat District Champions

Along with co-captain Kassandra De La Garza, Kenisha Martinez guided the Lady Rattlers with ferocity and determination. The senior hitter registered 565 kills on a 41% kill rate, scored 235 points off serves, and posted 503 defensive digs, the highest total of her career. Martinez's exploits were the catalyst behind the Rattlers’ impressive 17 match winning streak and their third consecutive district championship. Martinez was awarded District 31-5A's Most Valuable Player Award for her efforts, solidifying her spot as one of the best volleyball players in Sharyland ISD and RGV history.

(14/30)

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https://www.progresstimes.net/2025/06/04/2024-2025-big-7-high-school-sports-highlights/

Progress Times Photos by Joe Vela 📸
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https://progresstimes.smugmug.com/Sports/Sharyland/Oct-22-2024-Volleyball-Sharyland-vs-Edinburg-Vela-JV

*This is not a ranking.

This April, Hidalgo County, Texas agreed to pay its former Head Start Program executive director $110,000 to settle a lawsuit she filed in 2023 alleging she had been wrongfully terminated from her job with the program. ⬇️

Hidalgo County pays $110K to settle Head Start director suit Hidalgo County pays $110K to settle Head Start director suit By Matt Wilson | June 30, 2025 | 0 This April Hidalgo County agreed to pay its former Head Start Program executive director $110,000 to settle a lawsuit she filed in 2023 alleging she had been wrongfully terminated from her job with the pr...

La Joya ISD just completed its first school year under board of managers and state-appointed Superintendent Dr. Marcey Sorensen said it’s been a year of tough decisions for long-term district success.

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La Joya ISD — a look at the first year under board of managers La Joya ISD — a look at the first year under board of managers By Lea Juarez | June 29, 2025 | 0 La Joya ISD just completed its first school year under the board of managers and state-appointed Superintendent Dr. Marcey Sorensen said it’s been a year of tough decisions for long-term district suc...

Mission Collegiate High School-Mission CISD landed on several “best of” lists, earning recognition as a high-performing STEM campus among schools in the Rio Grande Valley and Hidalgo County. ⬇️

Mission Collegiate ranked among top RGV STEM schools Mission Collegiate ranked among top RGV STEM schools By Lea Juarez | June 29, 2025 | 0 Mission Collegiate High School landed on several “best of” lists, earning recognition as a high-performing STEM campus among schools in the Rio Grande Valley and Hidalgo County.     Niche, a company that rat...

The 2024-25 sports season has officially wrapped up and Progress Times is proud to reflect on the standout moments that defined the year for our athletes. Over the next two months, we’ll be celebrating 30 of the top sports highlights in no order* from Mission CISD, Sharyland ISD, and La Joya ISD–Ten from each school district. From major team victories and standout performances to state tournament appearances and individual accolades, these posts are our way of recognizing the hard work, dedication, and success of the Big 7 Sports community.

Mission Veterans Patriots District MVP Mady Perez leads Lady Patriots to 11th district championship in 12 years.

Although only a freshman, Mady Perez played volleyball this year like a seasoned vet. Perez registered 504 kills, 422 digs, 328 serves received, and 45 aces. Not only was Perez the best player on an already stacked Lady Patriots squad, but she was also the best volleyball-playing freshman in the entire Valley. Thanks to her efforts, the Lady Patriots finished 16-0 in district play, dropping only a single set in the process. The title they secured, as a result, was the 11th district championship in 12 years for the Lady Patriots, reestablishing their dominance over 30-5A after losing the title to the Palmview Lady Lobos the previous year. Perez stood out as the linchpin behind the Lady Patriots’ success and won District MVP; the first of what figures to be many individual accolades to come.

(13/30)

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https://www.progresstimes.net/2025/06/04/2024-2025-big-7-high-school-sports-highlights/

Progress Times Photos by Joe Vela 📸
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https://progresstimes.smugmug.com/Sports/VeteransMemorial/Nov-8-2024-Volleyball-Pioneer-vs-Veterans-JV

*This is not a ranking.

The Texas Legislature passed a bill expanding access to UIL activities for homeschooled children, but Sharyland ISD opted out of it. ⬇️

Homeschoolers denied access to Sharyland UIL program Homeschoolers denied access to Sharyland UIL program By Lea Juarez | June 29, 2025 | 0 The Texas Legislature passed a bill expanding access to UIL activities for homeschooled children, but Sharyland ISD opted out of it.   Senate Bill 401 requires public schools with UIL programs to allow non-enroll...