Nate Garcia honored for 1,000th career point with Brahmas
Nathan Garcia walks out of pre-game shootaround with basketball in hand. (Photo by Frank Cardenas)
By Frank Cardneas, South Texas Community News
It was a career night for junior Nate Garcia from the H.M. King basketball team on Tuesday night, as he led the Brahmas with 38 points en route to a 103-76 victory over the Calallen Wildcats.
However, it was the celebration before the contest, which possibly added a spark to Garcia’s big game when the tip-off went up at center court.
Nate Garcia’s basketball with the date and game he reached 1,000 points in his career. (Photo by Frank Cardenas)
Before the game on Tuesday, Garcia was honored and presented with a commemorative basketball in celebration of his 1,000th point scored as an HMK Brahma.
Granted, since reaching that feat against Flour Bluff in November, he’s now one bucket away from 1,350-plus points in his career with no chance of slowing down.
“I am extremely proud of him,” Garcia’s mother, Nancy Alaniz, said of her son’s accomplishments. “He’s very humble and he’s such a good kid. We weren’t sure how this season was going to go because of COVID, and what looked to be a rough season for him and all our boys. But he’s doing great and the boys have done well, and I couldn’t be happier for them.”
HMK’s head coach Moses Mora said Garcia is an incredible athlete who continues to amaze him since he started coaching Garcia when he was a seventh grader.
“I’m not sure what more I can say about Nate; he’s hard working, disciplined, never misses a workout,” Mora said. “I mean, even his diet, what kid his age actually follows a diet to make sure his body is right? He’s always the first kid at practice and the last one to leave. He’s one of the hardest working athletes I’ve ever had and one of the most talented athletes I’ve ever had.”
Mora said Garcia is a major part of the team’s game-plan every week both offensively and defensively, and he’s excited that he still gets to coach him for another season after this one.
H.M. King Head Coach Moses Mora handing Nate Garcia a basketball that signifies his 1,000th career point. (Photo by Frank Cardenas)
“He’s only going to get better,” Mora added.
Over his career, Garcia has earned a District 31-4A All-District honorable mention award in his freshman season, but improved enough the next year to earn a spot on the All-District First-Team.
Garcia said he’s been playing basketball since he was 3-years-old, and after he took his first dribble, he fell in love with the sport “and just kept playing.”
As for the ceremony on Tuesday, Garcia said it meant a lot to be honored for his accomplishment, but the work was not finished.
“I sacrificed a lot for this moment and just to keep reaching the other goals I have in mind. I just can’t thank all my supporters enough,” Garcia said. “I can’t wait to keep going. All Glory to God, man.”
The Brahmas currently hold a 13-5 overall record this season, and are currently 4-1 in district play.
The Brahmas were unable to come out victorious in a loss to TABC ranked Tuloso-Midway on Wednesday night, 71-65, for their first loss in District 31-4A.
