By ROY HESS, Staff Writer
The Hanna Golden Eagles and St. Joseph Academy Bloodhounds are two local boys basketball teams that have gotten off to strong starts this season.
With competition in their respective districts coming up in January, the Eagles are 10-2, while the Bloodhounds are 10-6.
Each team was open Tuesday and next plays tonight.
SJA plays host to Port Isabel at 5:30 p.m., while Hanna also will be at home against Macedonian Christian Academy of Alamo at 6 p.m.
One of the season highlights thus far for Hanna was winning the Brownsville ISD Tournament on Nov. 22. The Eagles defeated Los Fresnos 51-39 in the final.
“I’m pleased with our performance and results,” said Hanna coach Todd Barckholtz, whose Eagles are coming off a 65-60 win over McAllen Rowe on Dec. 12 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio. “I like the way our guys are working together and learning how to make our offense work. They’re working as team defensively by helping each other out and picking each other up.
“We need to add more depth and flexibility as we get ready for district,” Barckholtz added.
The Hanna coach said District 32-6A action starts for his team Jan. 3 at home against Brownsville Veterans Memorial. After Friday, the Eagles play their last non-district game at home against SJA on Dec. 30.
Barckholtz said guard Alex Herrera (12.1 points per game) and forward Ed Messbarger (11.8) are sparking the squad.
“They’re our most experienced players, and they’re leading the team,” Barckholtz said. “(Guard) Andy Lopez is picking up his game (and averaging 11.2 points per game), while (freshman point guard) Gabe Martinez is learning and doing a good job (while averaging 6.6 points per game).”
One year ago, it came down to the end of district and the Eagles squeaked into the playoffs, where they suffered a 57-55 double-overtime loss at PSJA High in bi-district. This year, their goal is to make the playoffs again and go farther than last season.
GETTING DEFENSIVE
More than anything at this point of the season, SJA first-year coach Samuel Lucio is happy with the way his Bloodhounds are playing strong defense.
“Our defense has been pretty good lately,” Lucio said. “We’re working on trying to pick up our offense.
“We’ve been playing some of the bigger schools, and our boys have been competitive in every game,” Lucio added. “I like that our effort has been good, and what I’m most proud about is our defense.”
After tonight’s home game against Port Isabel, the Bloodhounds will go to Hanna on Dec. 30. SJA won’t start TAPPS district play until Jan. 17 at home against San Antonio St. Anthony’s.
On the offensive end, the Bloodhounds are led by point guard Sean Cantu-Rudder (11.3 points a game), shooting guard Jorge Villarreal (9.4 points) and center Julio Garcia (8.0 points).
The Bloodhounds are averaging 49.2 points per game, and Lucio wants to see that figure improve.
“That’s one of the things we’re working on,” he said.
The Bloodhounds have gone against primarily bigger schools so far this season and have posted wins over Brownsville Veterans, Pace, Rivera, Porter, Mission High, Rio Grande City, Donna North, Weslaco High, PSJA North and Hidalgo.