JEFF FIELDER Editor
ALLIANCE – JJ Garza, who will be a senior at Alliance High School this fall, is this week’s Nspire Today! Male Athlete of the Week, sponsored by Kristy Culek Agency, LLC-American Family Insurance. Garza, one of the top baseball players in the region, pitches and also plays catcher, third base, second base and shortstop for the Alliance Spartans senior Legion team. His pitching record this season is 7-1, and he’s batting about .390. Alliance entered Sunday with a 28-7 record. His parents are Jerry and Esmeralda Garza.
Q: Describe how things have been going for Alliance so far this season.
GARZA: “Everything has been going well so far. Pitching has been a huge key for us and so has our defense and timely hitting. I think our sticks are getting hot right now.”
Q: Has the team met your expectations up to this point?
GARZA: “I think we’ve been doing really well considering the schedule we have. We have a lot tougher schedule this year. So, I’m proud of our record right now.”
Q: What do you think Alliance is capable of achieving the rest of this season?
GARZA: “I think we have a chance to make it to state. We’re looking really strong right now. I think we have something that a lot of other teams don’t have, and that’s our bond with each other – the way we can bring each other up. Most of us have been playing since we were about 8, so we know each other really well. I think that’s been a huge key in the way we’ve been playing.”
Q: How has your season been going individually?
GARZA: “Pitching has been huge for me this year, and I have a good defense to back me up, so that’s been a huge key as well. Batting-wise, I’m sitting around a .390 average, and that’s what I was looking for this year.”
Q: You’re able to play a lot of infield positions. Which position is your favorite?
GARZA: “Pitching is my favorite. I’ve been pitching since I was 8.”
Q: How did you develop your skills and become the pitcher that you are today?
GARZA: “I’ve had a lot of coaches, but I think my dad [Jerry Garza] has taught me the most. He’s taught me how to develop my arm strength.”
Q: So did your dad play baseball a lot growing up?
GARZA: “Yes, he used to play for the Spartans, too.”
Q: How much are you looking forward to your senior year at Alliance High School?
GARZA: “I think it’s going to go by fast, but I hope it doesn’t.”
Q: Are you involved in other sports besides baseball?
GARZA: “No, I’m all into baseball. In middle school, I played football, but then I moved away from playing football and just focused on baseball.”
Q: Are you hoping to play baseball in college?
GARZA: “Yes. I’m not sure where I’ll play yet, but I’m considering WNCC. I haven’t thought a lot about it yet, but WNCC would be close to family, and it has a good baseball program.”
Q: Talk about how your coach, Carlos Palomo, has helped you grow as a player.
GARZA: “He’s been a big influence on me for the past two years.”
Q: Outside of baseball, what are some other things that you enjoy doing?
GARZA: “I like working on cars, hunting, and fishing – just being outdoors.”
Q: What kind of car do you drive?
GARZA: “I have a 2013 Mustang.”
Q: Is that the kind of car you’ve always wanted to have?
GARZA: “I’ve always liked Mustangs, and I really liked the body style of 2012 and up. They caught my eye.”
Q: What would you like to pursue as a career?
GARZA: “I would like to go into physical therapy/sports medicine.”
Q: Have you lived in Alliance your whole life?
GARZA: “Yes, I have.”
Q: What do you like best about living in Alliance?
GARZA: “I like all the sports you can play here. There’s always sports going on, and it’s neat seeing the community come together to cheer on the teams.”
Q: For someone who hasn’t been to Alliance before, what’s one place that you would recommend he or she visit?
GARZA: “I would say the fountain or Carhenge.”
Q: In your opinion, where is the best place to eat in Alliance?
GARZA: “La Villa or Mi Ranchito.”
Q: On the Alliance seniors baseball team, who do you think is the funniest player on the team?
GARZA: “Devin Garcia and Trevor DuBray. They’re always telling jokes and messing around with each other. They’re always finding a way to make you laugh.”
Q: Do you have any siblings?
GARZA: “Yes, I have two older sisters [Jennifer Korth, 25; and Jazlyn Garza, 20] and a younger sister [Emily Garza, 15].”
If you would like to nominate someone for Nspire Today!’s Athletes of the Week, sponsored by Kristy Culek Agency, you may do so by sending an email to jeff.fielder@nspiretoday.com or by mailing a letter to Nspire Today!, P.O. Box 454, Scottsbluff, NE 69363. Nominations may also be submitted by sending a text to 308-220-8865.
In addition to being recognized online, athletes of the week will also be recognized in Nspire Today! magazine. To sign up for a one-year subscription (12 issues) to the magazine, please send $15 to Nspire Today!, P.O. Box 454, Scottsbluff, NE 69363. To pay with a credit card, please call 308-220-8865. If you would like to increase your subscription to $20, Nspire Today! will donate the extra $5 in July to the local DOVES program.
For all your insurance needs, visit The Kristy Culek Agency, LLC-American Family Insurance, located at 1012 Ave. I in Scottsbluff, or call 308-632-8598.
