BY JON R. LAFOLLETTE | STAFF WRITER
After stumbling to an 0-3 start in District 31-5A, the Sharyland High Lady Rattlers have won four of their last five games, and have pulled themselves into the district’s final playoff spot with four games remaining. The team’s most recent victory came against Mission Veterans by a score of 35-27 on Jan. 23.
“That was one of those really big wins,” coach Dale Whitaker said. “It meant a lot to the kids and a lot to the program. It doesn’t give us any breathing room, however.”
Sharyland’s remaining opponents are Roma, Sharyland Pioneer, Valley View and Rio Grande City. Against those teams, the Lady Rattlers are 3-1.
We’re pretty clear on what we have to do,” Whitaker said. “We know we have to win three of the last four. There is a very good opportunity for us to make the playoffs and even possibly catch Roma or Mission Vets for third place.”
Last year, Sharyland (17-12, 4-4) missed the playoffs for the second time in Whitakers’ 18-year tenure. This season’s squad wants no part in another postseason absence.
“The girls said, ‘Coach, this is not last year’s team,’” Whitaker said. “They felt the pressure coming in this season.”
It’s been an up-and-down year for the Lady Rattlers. The team has an impressive resume, including victories against Brownsville Veterans, Mercedes and Harlingen South. Despite the notable wins, the team is only 5 games above .500.
“Some games they play harder than others,” Whitaker said. “They’re high school kids, you get what you get, and you love them and you do the best you can. But, this is the time of year where we improve on everything we do.”
MENTAL EDGE
Earlier this month, the Edinburg Economedes Lady Jaguars were competing for first place in District 31-6A, the Valley’s most competitive collection of teams. Since losing to PSJA North 65-38 on Jan. 6, however, the team has lost four of six and sits a half game out of the playoffs.
“We had a good long talk after (Tuesday’s loss to Weslaco East,)” coach Marina Campos said. “Everyone is tired and hurting and aching. We’re as conditioned as we’re going to get, but we still have to give everything we have left in the tank.”
The Lady Jaguars (15-12, 4-4) suffered another ache when starting junior forward Marixa Viera broke her nose last weekend during non-basketball activities. Though the Viera has not been officially ruled out for the rest of the season, Campos says the team is operating “as if she is not going to be back.”
Campos knows how important making the playoffs would be to a team devoid of hoops pedigree.
“I have six seniors with me,” she said. “I asked them, ‘Do you really want this regret? That you didn’t give everything you have?’ We don’t have a lot of tradition with our basketball program and we’re still working on our mental toughness.”
Toughness will indeed be a requirement for the Lady Jaguars on Friday, when the team hosts PJSA North (25-4, 8-1).