By PETE BANDA
Special to the NEWS
The effect Head Coach Luis Garza has had on the basketball program in San Benito has been undeniable.
A successful coach for nearly two decades in his hometown of Brownsville before joining the ’Hounds, Garza was the highest profile hire for the Greyhound basketball program since nabbing Valley legend Roy Garcia back in 2006.
Akin to Garcia, Garza took over a program in need of revival. While Garcia — an eventual Hall of Fame inductee — delivered San Benito to the postseason for the first time in over 40 years, Garza took just two seasons to lead the Greyhounds to their first district championship in over 60 years.
Now, in his third season, Garza has established San Benito as a potential powerhouse with sky high expectations and a community expecting nothing less than a return trip to the playoffs.
“I’ve been happy with the direction and participation we’ve had in the program, but it will always be a continuous process” said Garza. “The permanent goal is to have a solid foundation of basketball-focused players and then just be able to reinforce that with players from other sports. We’re on the right track to building up this program and once we get that strong foundation, we will become a solid basketball program.”
This season has gotten off to somewhat of a rocky start with Garza’s squad dealing with several injuries in the early season. In addition to their lone returning starter — Peter Jackson — recovering from a football injury that required surgery, the ’Hounds have dealt with various injuries to key players that contributed to a rough 5-8 record through their non-district schedule. With only one game left before their 32-6A slate of games kicks off in January, the Greyhounds are assured to head into the second half of their season with a losing record.
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