Lubbock ISD Celebrates Lady Plainsmen for State Win

On March 13, 2025, Lubbock ISD held a meeting recognizing various students around the district who qualified for state. This included a variety of different competitions and state championships, one of which includes the recognition of Monterey High School’s girls’ basketball team. 

The Lady Plainsmen of Monterey High School, under the coaching of Jill Schneider, received the official title of Class 5A Division II state champions after a 64-35 win over Liberty Hill High School on March 1. 

This is the first time since 1981 in which Monterey has won the title in girls basketball. Their previous championship had included a 72-71 win over Duncanville High School over 40 years ago.

Mike Meeks, Lubbock ISD executive director of athletics, congratulated the 2025 team for their historic win. He went on to say how the 1981 team is still remembered fondly to this day after they were inducted into the Lubbock ISD Hall of Honor back in 2021.

“Ladies, there will be a day for you,” Meeks said. “There will be a day for you to come back and be inducted in the Lubbock ISD Hall of Honor and we look forward to that day.” 

Meeks continued with his congratulations, insisting every member of the team deserved the title of state champion before receiving their recognition. He also praised the team work of senior point guard Aaliyah Chavez, who led the team with 19 points, along with junior guard Ambrosia Cole and junior center Ari Johnson who helped score during the game.

“If you watched the game or saw the game,” he said. “You know that it was truly a team effort.”

Chavez was named the most valuable player during the game. She is Monterey’s top scorer, having earned a total of over 4,777 points during her high school career. 

Chavez herself was unable to attend this meeting as she was chosen to compete in the 2025 McDonald’s All-American Games. The games will be held in Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, on April 1.

The McDonald’s All-American Games, created in 1977 to showcase high school athletes on a national scale, pits East vs West against each other. Chavez will play for the West team.

 As a long standing tradition within the games, Chavez was presented with the signature jersey which will hang in Monterey High School. Meeks went on to say that the jersey will showcase Chavez’s accomplishments and serve as inspiration for future athletes to come. 

This event has hosted many players who would go on to compete in the WNBA including Candace Parker, Skylar Diggins, and Breanna Stewart. This is yet another title added to Chavez’s impressive record. 

Chavez’s titles include the Texas MaxPreps 2024-25 High School Girls Basketball Player of the Year and the 2025 Gatorade National Girls Basketball Player of the Year.

In a video from Monterey High School, Chavez was presented the Gatorade trophy for player of the year by 2016 WNBA MVP Nneka Ogwumike on March 19. Chavez joins a historical list of players for this award which includes Ogwumike herself who played at Cy-Fair high school in 2007 in Cypress, Texas.