BY JON R. LaFOLLETTE | STAFF WRITER
Mission Veterans Memorial kick-started its turkey downtime on a good note Wednesday with a lively practice session fresh off a 36-23 win over McAllen Rowe on Tuesday.
“It’s tough with the holidays,” Veterans coach Rafael Cantu said of maintaining mental focus. “We just got off a game, and you never know what will happen in practice. They’re up for the game and you just hope the intensity level is there the next day.”
The brief holiday break comes at a time when the Lady Patriots (7-6) are trying to find cohesion and chemistry on their roster. The team returns six players from last year’s varsity squad and is looking to mesh JV call-ups and freshmen into the mix.
Among the new faces, sophomore guard Gaby Gallardo is the lone starter. Cantu praises Gallardo for her ball-handling skills.
“That’s a premium to have,” he said. “Ball-handling is so important. (Senior) Ashley (Smith) is a good one, too. If you’re lucky, you’ll have three ball-handlers on your team. That’s where success comes from.”
With Gallardo’s presence, the demands placed on Smith have diminished. Last year, the All-Valley second teamer was asked to carry the bulk of the ball-handling and scoring duties.
“That was a lot of work for her,” Cantu said. “Having other people help contribute allows a person to stay fresh for more of the game.”
Smith scored a game-high 18 points during Tuesday’s win over Rowe.
Aside from spreading the workload for his guards, Cantu is looking for an improved scoring attack from his post players, including D.D. Ibarra. A standout for the Mission Vets volleyball team, Ibarra was the team’s best rebounder a year ago and had the green light to shoot when she was open.
“She’s a selfless player and does whatever is necessary,” Cantu said. “She can rebound and defend well. But this year, we want her to take what the defense gives her. We want her to put the ball on the floor and finish at the rim.”
STRONGVILLE
In just his second year as coach, La Villa’s Sam Rodriguez has made his aspirations for the Lady Cardinals known.
“The goal for us, no doubt, is to win a district title,” Rodriguez said. “I’m not telling the girls that we’re going to win it, but that’s something we feel like we can certainly compete for.”
La Villa has won six of its first nine games after going 9-14 a season ago. The Lady Cardinals missed the playoffs after losing a play-in game to Santa Maria. La Villa has already notched a notable victory over District 32-2A foe San Perlita, winning 38-30 during tournament play.
Rodriguez returned nine of his 10 varsity players from last year, and is already noticing his emphasis on weight-training paying off.
“I’m seeing a huge difference in our strength,” he said. “We’re a physically strong team. We overpower people. We have more court awareness, too. All the shooting and passing we’ve done over the last year is starting to pay off for us physically and mentally.”
The Lady Cardinals starting lineup is Nikki Montelongo, Rudie Jo Garcia, Savannah Rubalcaba, Zabrina Guerrero and Ruby Mireles.
QUICK LEARNERS
Roma has taken its lumps during the early part of the season, both by design and by unfortunate circumstance.
At 4-8, the Lady Gladiators’ record is a reflection of tough tournament play in Laredo and San Antonio, as well as the absence of senior Krysynthia Rocha, who has missed every game with a shoulder injury.
“The girls are grinding and we’re trying to build up fast,” coach Romeo Rios said. ‘We’re learning on the go, but we’re getting after it. Hopefully we’ll be in good shape by the time district rolls around.”
Rocha is scheduled to return in December. Rios has tinkered with lineups and given playing time to junior Samantha Alaniz and Jeselle Guerra.
“Everyone is getting their opportunities,” Rios said. “Everyone is learning and getting time on the court. We’re learning quick and fast.”