By ROY HESS, Staff Writer
LOS FRESNOS — It’s a much better way to start a basketball season on a positive note rather than a negative one.
The Los Fresnos Falcons would have to agree.
The Falcons enjoyed a season-opening 59-48 triumph at home Tuesday against Weslaco East.
Even though Los Fresnos coach Marco Hinojosa wasn’t all that pleased with his team’s play during its opener, he’s still glad it was a win.
“I’m not happy with the way we played, and actually I’m kind of disappointed,” Hinojosa said. “But of course, I’ll take an ugly win any day compared to a pretty loss, so I guess I’m OK (with it).”
The Falcons, coming off a District 32-6A tri-championship campaign and a trip to the second round of the playoffs, hope Tuesday’s victory was the first of many more to come this season.
They led 18-7 after the opening quarter and held a 32-21 advantage at the intermission. Los Fresnos was up 45-32 going into the final period.
The closest the Wildcats came to the lead during the second half was eight points, 52-44, with 4:59 remaining when D.J. Ramirez scored from underneath after grabbing an offensive rebound.
From there, the Falcons quickly restored their double-digit lead to 15 points, 59-44, with three straight baskets to win handily, eventually by 11 points, 59-48.
Earlier, the Falcons led by as many as 17 points, 42-25, when Jordan Urbina hit a 3-pointer from the left corner with 2:57 showing in the third quarter.
Leading the way for Los Fresnos were Urbina, Albert Alarcon, and Andrew Carrizales, all with 12 points. Urbina hit four 3-pointers, and Alarcon and Carrizales each had two. Also for the Falcons, Hugo De La Cruz had 10 points.
De La Cruz left the game with an injury at the end of the third quarter, was helped to the locker room and did not return. Hinojosa wasn’t quite certain about the severity of the injury but said his standout point guard, a returning starter, might miss some time.
The Falcons next play at the St. Anthony’s Tournament in San Antonio starting Thursday.
For the Wildcats, who next play at the Edcouch-Elsa Tournament, also starting Thursday, the scoring leader was Ramirez with 17 points. Felix Jimenez added 12 points, including three 3-pointers.
They were the only ones scoring in double figures for the Wildcats, who also were playing their season opener.
“We need to clean up a lot of things,” Weslaco East coach Jorge Martinez said. “Los Fresnos came out with a good crowd (supporting the home team). You have to play extremely well when you’re on the road and playing against a good opponent.
“We did make (some) stops, but we were still giving them too many second chances on offensive rebounds,” Martinez added. “We didn’t capitalize on our stops, so we have to clean up some things.
“It’s early in the season, and this is our first game of the year. Hopefully we can learn from this experience and get better as the season goes on.”