(McAllen, Texas)-In back-to-back seasons, 31-5A McAllen HS head basketball coach Ryan Flores led his Bulldogs (32-9) to the University Interscholastic League’s Region IV-5A Regional Semifinals. The Bulldogs lost to Boerne Champion in the fourth round. Last year, Flores led McHi (23-8) to the UIL State 5A Quarterfinals before losing to Leander Glenn 57-40. “I’m proud of this team. They fought hard and I just want to thank my coaching staff for their hard work,” said Flores after their loss to Champion. With this achievement, Flores captures the High School Sports Magazine’s All-South Texas Coach of the Year Award.
High School Sports Magazine’s All-South Texas Basketball team is led by first team Raymondville HS Jayson Cantu, a 6’4 power forward who averaged 16.6 points a game, along with his 12.8 rebound, 4.5 assists, and 4.7 steals. Also named to the first is Ray De Leon, a 6’3 points guard for Edinburg North HS, who averaged 27.6 points a game and hauled down 10.4 rebounds. Edinburg North’s Eddie Gonzalez, a 6’7 center was the big man under the basket as he helped lead the Cougars to the UIL State playoffs from District 31-6A. The final two spots goes to Jaylon Chappell from McAllen HS and Isaiah Reyes (6’2) from Sharyland Pioneer HS.
In the second round of the State 5A playoffs, the Pioneer Diamondbacks lost to Corpus Christi Veterans Memorial 75-47 but this did not stop Reyes from playing his best that night in Alice High School. He led his team in scoring for the season. Jaylon Chappell (6’3) was the Bulldog’s play-making player to earn first team honors after leading McAllen to two straight fourth round appearances. High School Sports Magazine congratulates all selections for 2022.
2022 HSSM All-South Texas Boys Basketball Selections
First team
- Eddie Gonzalez Ed North HS 6’7
- Jayson Cantu Raymondville HS 6’4 16.6 ppg 12.8 rpg 4.5 assist 2.8 steals
- Ray De Leon Economedes 6’3 27.0 ppg 11 rpg 5.3 assist 4.7 steals
- Jaylon Chappell McAllen 6’3
- Isaiah Reyes, Pioneer HS 6’2 14 ppg 8 rpg *Raul Bejarano IDEA Mission North HS 6’2
Second team
- Elijah Alcantar McAllen Rowe 6’4
- Chase Morales Bro Pace 6’5
- Joseph Camacho Bro Veterans 6’3
- Zecheriah Rios Rio Hondo 6’2
- Ethan Moya La Joya HS 6’1 junior
Third team
- Tony Requena Edinburg Vela 6’2
- Matthew Cruz 6’0 Palmview 14.0 ppg
- McAllen HS Jordon Chappell 6’3
- McAllen HS Robert Canul 6’2
- McAllen Memorial Arian Elizondo 6’0 *Christian Guarjardo 5’11 Bro Pace 18.0 ppg 4.0 apg
Fourth team
- McA Mem Jayden Muhammad 5’11
- Adrian Zamora Santa Rosa 6’3
- Gianni Beltran PSJA North 6’2
- Jayden Rendon Harlingen 6’3 jr
- Steven Ortegon Harlingen South 6’0