By RAUL GARCIA

Junior Guard Joaquin Gonzales was selected for the Most Valuable Player Award. Gonzalez helped carry the Mercedes Tigers to a winning season. His dedication to the team and hard work and expert basketball skills made him a lethal weapon on both sides of the court. Gonzales performed at his best in all games during the regular season. In multiple game he averaged in double digits making his teammates better along the way with sharing the ball on the fast break, finding the open man and scoring on first and second opportunities.

Senior Guard Danielle Barroso was selected Most Valuable Player for helping lead the Lady Tigers into the playoffs with her leadership on the floor and scoring ability during the regular season. Barroso relentlessly worked with her teammates and pushed them to be better. Barroso shared the ball and was always ready to fire a shot or drive to the hoop when the Tigers were in need of a basket. Barrosos’ ability to knock down the three point shot, take care of the ball and dish it to her open teammate for an easy bucket made games look easy for the Tigers.

Junior Point Guard David Clower was selected Offensive Player of the Year for his ability to beat his defender or defenders and make buckets. Clower had multiple 30-plus point games throughout the season. Clower made games exciting for the fans as he blew by defenders and scoring almost at will with his finger roll finishes and two handed slam dunk. On multiple occasions Clower came in clutch to help lift the Tigers to victory with last second lay-ups, jump shots and free throws.

Senior Point Guard Danielle Barroso was selected Offensive Player of the Year for her ability to knock down three pointer. She was successful slashing to the basket and finishing coast to coast lay ups throughout the season on the way to racking up plenty of points for the Tigers.

Junior Guard Joaquin Gonzales was selected Defensive Player of the Year for his ability to disrupt opponents’ offensive attack. He broke up passes in the lane that ended in fast break lay ups for the Tigers. If the offense was not quick enough Gonzales was there to block their shot. And Gonzales didn’t shy away from guarding the best offensive player on any night. Gonzales was responsible for Tiger buckets made off steals, turnovers and block shots throughout the season.

Junior Center Jayda Luna made it look easy on the defensive side for the Tigers. She was successful stoping the offenses in the paint and picked up big rebounds on defense all season. She made her opponents work hard for shots down low in the paint and she didn’t shy away from fighting for the loose ball falling out of bounds or on the floor.

Junior Center Kemper Ledesma was selected Teammate of the Year. Throughout the season Ledesma proved to be a leader on the floor, and always ready to make a quick bucket off a pass from his teammates. Ledesma proved to be an excellent go to guy for easy buckets down low and helping his team protect the basket on defense.

Sophomore Guard Randi Lara was selected Teammate of the Year for helping the Lady Tigers do what it took to win games. Lara had a key role in the Tigers offensive attack with her ability to drive to the basket using precision ball handling to help her finish in the paint.

Senior Forward J.J. Alvarado was selected the Sportsmanship Award for always keeping the respectful tradition of the Mercedes Tigers Basketball Program at a high standard. Alvarado never lost his cool, or was disrespectful to any of his opponents and always worked hard to help the Tigers win.

Senior Guard Cerina Limas was selected the recipient of the Sportsmanship Awards for always representing the team and school with a high standard on the floor. Limas worked hard every game and was never disrespectful to opponents throughout the season proving to be a good role model for the Lady Tigers.

Senior Point Guard David Clower was the recipient of the Floor General Award for his ability to lead the offense, take care of the ball and find a way to score when the Tigers needed a basket.

Senior Point Guard Danielle Barroso is the recipient of the Floor General Award for her ability to lead the offense, take care of the ball and find a way to score when the Tigers needed a basket.

Junior Forward Noah Villanueva is the recipient of the Most Improved Award for showing his ability to play better on each and every game and knocking down key shots to help the Tigers to victory throughout the season.

Sophomore Guard Leah Adame is the recipient of the Most Improved Player Award for playing a better game every game and knocking down key shots to help the Tigers to victory throughout the season.

Senior Guard Joseph Rocha is the recipient of the Ironman Award for playing the most minutes per game all season. Rocha provided leadership and a wining mindset to help the Tigers basketball team all season.

Sophomore Guard Leah Adame is the recipient of the Ironman Award for playing the most minutes per game all season. Adame provided leadership and a wining mindset to help the Tigers basketball team all season.

Junior Guard Joaquin Gonzales is the recipient of the Heritage Award for continuing his family’s and the Tigers’ family wining tradition. Gonzales’ father and sister played at the varsity level for the Tigers.

Senior Point Guard Danielle Barosso is the recipient of the Heritage Award for continuing her family’s and the Tigers’ family wining basketball tradition. Barroso’s brother and sister played at the varsity level for the Tigers.