Brownwood High School (BHS) 2019 graduate, Mallory Garcia, was presented with a $3000 scholarship awarded from the Mike Garcia Scholarship Fund on Thursday, July 25 at the Brownwood ISD Central Support Center.  Some might notice the scholarship fund bears the same Garcia name, and it is with good reason; it was set up three years ago in honor of Mallory’s father, Mike Garcia.

“Mike passed away when Mallory was a freshman,” said BHS Lady Lions Basketball Coach, Heather Hohertz. “He was always at the games and was a huge fan. He died in a car accident and the scholarship was created to keep his memory alive. I can’t think of a more fitting recipient for this scholarship.”

Above: BHS Basketball Coach, Heather Hohertz (left) and Mallory Garcia (right).

Mallory, who was recently featured in a Brownwood ISD article series entitled, “Overcoming the Odds,” provided some additional insight into her relationship with her father and the role he played introducing her to different sports.

“My dad got me started in both [basketball and golf],” Garcia said. “He coached me—he’s always been my mentor.”

Mallory finished her time as a Lady Lion with an impressive record. All four years at BHS she was a varsity starter on the basketball team. She earned 2015-16 New-Comer of the year, 2016-17 Offensive MVP, 1st team All-District, 2016 Regional Semi-finals Team, 2017 District Champions Team, 2014-19 Texas Association of Basketball Coaches 4A Region 1 – All-Region, TGCA All-State (2018-19), TGCA Academic All-State.

“I have played basketball since I was in first or second grade,” added Garcia. “Picked it up here and there. I play point guard and shooting guard. My favorite is probably shooting guard.”

Mallory’s time on the court is far from over. She has been accepted to Howard Payne University where she plans to continue playing basketball well into her college career.