By ANDREW CRUM, Staff Writer
Kelcie Swink provided the offense when her team needed it the most.
Led by 21 points and 16 rebounds from Swink, the Port Isabel Lady Tarpons opened up a double-digit lead during the second half and cruised to a 43-18 victory over the Santa Rosa Lady Warriors on Tuesday at Port Isabel.
After Port Isabel raced out to a 13-3 first-quarter lead with help from their full-court pressure defense, both squads struggled from the floor and combined for just five points.
“We came out flat and not as aggressive (as we did in the first quarter),” Port Isabel coach Blake Ramsey said. “I give (the Lady Warriors) credit, they were able to break our press a little bit, and a lot of our offense comes from our defense. We weren’t getting easy layups from those steals.”
The Lady Tarpons maintained a 14-7 lead by halftime. But the Lady Warriors didn’t take advantage of Port Isabel’s struggles enough to get much closer. The seven-point deficit was doubled by the end of the third quarter.
“I think we’re just like a light switch, on and off, we play good at times and then we play horrible,” Santa Rosacoach Amos Salas said.
“I’m trying to get them to play consistently, it’s been a process.”
Swink took over and scored 16 of her points after halftime to get the Lady Tarpons’ offense going. She also finished with a pair of steals and an assist.
Port Isabel found its offense, outscoring Santa Rosa 29-11 during the second half.
Alex Martinez had six points, three rebounds and four steals, but played limited minutes because of foul trouble and eventually fouled out. Larissa Torres had five points, two rebounds and two steals, and Karina Vela added two points, eight rebounds, two steals and two blocks for the Lady Tarpons.
The Lady Warriors kept pace during the first half but didn’t make up for a slow start. Sunny Vela led Santa Rosa with eight points, three rebounds and two steals, but Santa Rosa didn’t have the firepower to match the Lady Tarpons offense in the second half.
“We’re improving, but they are adjusting to what we are trying to do,” Salas said. “I emphasize defense, and the offense will take care of itself. We have to keep playing at a consistent level. We have to play from the first whistle to the end.”
Magda Mireles had five points, four rebounds and two steals, and Jennifer Guerra added three points and eight rebounds for the Lady Warriors.
Santa Rosa also had no answer for Swink.
“They switched up their defense, a box-and-one to isolate Kelcie, so we drew something up to hide her down in the post,” Ramsey said. “(We took) advantage of the mismatch and it worked, her offense came alive in the second half.”
Ramsey was happy with the easy non-district win but even moreso about the adjustments that had to be made due to foul trouble.
“(Foul trouble) hurt us, but it was good for us to get other girls bringing the ball up, getting everyone involved,” he said. “And it opened up Kelcie on the block.”
With Port Isabel resuming district play Friday, the Port Isabel coach was happy to see his senior flourish.
“Kelcie’s full of pride,” Ramsey said. “She’s set a goal (for her team). She wants to do well in district and advance far into the playoffs. And she’s very dedicated to that goal.”
Andrew Crum covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him at (956) 982-6629 or via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @andrewmcrum.