By MARIO AGUIRRE | STAFF WRITER
EDINBURG — There were four instances last year in which Edinburg Vela scored 100 or more points in a game.
The SaberCats are now hoping to hit that on a nightly basis.
“I don’t know how we’re going to do it,” senior Hector Ruiz said, “but we’re going to try.”
Edinburg Vela enters the year as the No. 1-ranked team by RGVSports.com, and it carries with it plenty of lofty goals. The SaberCats are the favorites to repeat as District 31-5A champions, and they would like to remain unbeaten against Valley competition in the process. There’s also whispers about a potential trip to the UIL state tournament, after going to the regional tournament last season.
“With us here, we’re always looking to set the bar high,” coach Lalo Rios said. “It’s expectations that we have as coaches in this program, that we want to be the best that we can be. Whatever goals we have for them — whether we hit it or not — they know the goals are there and we’re going to do whatever we can to get there.”
In 38 games last year, the SaberCats had four 100-point outings — three in the final month of the season — including a 102-48 triumph over Laredo Martin in the opening round of the playoffs.
Alec De La Cruz recalls those games playing out like all the rest: with a relentless push up the court, relying on fast-break points and outside shooting, and then bringing in a five-man platoon off the bench for relief.
“We preach going hard for 32 minutes and not taking a break or taking the foot off the gas pedal,” Rios said. “That’s just what we want. They love that uptempo style of play, and this is the best way we know how to do that.”
The SaberCats feel they have the pieces to do it. They return 10 players from last year, including three starters in De La Cruz, Ryan Garza and Ruiz. Each averaged double figures in scoring, combining for 41.2 of the team’s 71.9 points.
They went 31-7 overall, losing to San Antonio Houston, 66-57, in the third round of the playoffs. During the offseason, they showed up at 6 a.m. for open gyms and often stayed after school to refine their game. Outside of AAU ball, which took them throughout the state and Las Vegas, the trio had individual trainers who worked with them on their weaknesses.
Already one of the team’s best defenders, De La Cruz was asked to focus on his shot. Ruiz grew his confidence doing the same, while working on his drives to the basket. And Garza worked to take better command of the offense, which he will orchestra for a second straight season.
Year round, they worked on trying to meet and exceed the expectations that will undoubtedly fall on them the moment they open the season at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at La Joya Palmview.
“For us, we don’t see it like work,” Garza said. “We love what we’re doing, and we’re trying to get better at it.”
Their regimen has been infectious, and the catalyst for SaberCats’ spirited practices. No longer are the reserves timid, as they were last season, Rios said. Instead, “it’s more like big brother and little brother going at it, and it’s fun to watch.”
From top to bottom, Vela has arguably its best team in Year 4. With two different lineups, the starters can play to near-exhaustion before an entirely new batch is substituted. The SaberCats relied on this method last year, and it’s part of the reason why Rios is trusting in his players’ ability this season.
“The leadership, the mere fact that they’re going to be able to take over the game when they’re ready to, I think that’s why we’re going to give them a little more leeway,” Rios said. “Last year, we controlled the guys a little bit. So this year, we’re kind of letting the reins go a little bit to see, ‘What can you do for us to be successful?’”
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Five Other Players to Watch
Daniel Sotuyo, sr., guard, McAllen Rowe: Last year, Sotuyo averaged 11.2 points in guiding the Warriors to the playoffs. The 30-6A Newcomer of the Year is expected to help lead a small, 3-point shooting lineup once again.
D.J. Johnson, sr., wing, McAllen Memorial: At 6-foot-6, Johnson is one of the Valley’s tallest and most athletic players. A 30-6A first-team selection last year, Johnson averaged 9.2 ppg and helped the Mustangs clinch a postseason berth last season.
Andrew Cantu, sr., guard, Edinburg High: Cantu averaged 14.9 ppg last season and was named the 31-6A Offensive Player of the Year. The outside shooter looks to avenge last year’s bi-district ouster.
Jason Morales, sr., guard, Weslaco High: A 31-6A first-team pick, Morales was among the leading scorers on a Panthers team that won the district title. Morales is one of Weslaco’s biggest threats.
Kobe Patterson, jr., guard, Edinburg North: A capable shooter and ball-handler, Patterson helped lead the Cougars to the playoffs last season. He’ll be a key piece in the team’s switch to an uptempo offense.