By Jon R. LaFollette | Staff Writer
Coach Anisa Reyna had her work cut out for her two years ago upon her arrival at La Joya Palmview.
“When I got here, Palmview was a doormat,” she said.
This year, the Lady Lobos are out for more than a playoff spot and an improved record. Palmview is on a crusade for legitimacy and respect from its opponents. Winning the District 30-6A crown would be a great place to start.
With five weeks left in the regular season, the Lady Lobos are firmly in the district driver seat. The team is 14-7 overall with an unblemished 3-0 mark in district. The team’s most recent win came in a 60-48 win over Mission High on Tuesday.
“I think we want to control our own destiny at this point,” Reyna said. “We’re looking to take care of us. … We’re looking to improve our turnover ratio and shooting with more accuracy. … As far as the standings, we wanted an opportunity to show the kind of team we are. We’re excited, yes, but we’re not satisfied.”
Though Reyna is pleased with her team’s success, including the rebounding of Cyndar Magallon and Martha Bocanegra – who average 9.3 and 7.7 boards respectively – her and the Lady Lobos have a one-track mind in terms of end-of season goals.
“We’re on the same page,” Reyna said. “We see the light at the end of the tunnel.”
Scouting Report
With an open date Tuesday, Rio Grande City coach Gustavo Valenciana scouted the competition by attending the Roma-Sharyland High game.
The Lady Rattlers (14-10, 2-1 District 31-5A) kick off a four-game stretch which could make or break their playoff aspirations. Starting Friday, RGC hosts Edinburg Vela before traveling to Mission Veterans next week and hosting Sharyland and Roma.
“Realistically, we have to win two of those games to try and put ourselves in a good situation. This district is tough,” Valenciana said.
Rio Grande City is a young team and starts only one senior. The bulk of its offensive load is carried by freshman post Josie Amaya, a 5-foot-11 player who has grabbed as many as 23 rebounds in a game this season. The post-heavy play is a by-product of the Lady Rattler’s youth.
“Since some of the girls are so young, some of them aren’t the greatest shooters in the world,” Valenciana said.
With Friday’s contest against Vela looming, Valenciana is looking to limit the high-powered Lady SaberCats as opposed to outright shutting them down.
“It’s about containing them,” he said. “(Vela guard) Ariel Rodriguez scored 34 points the other night. We can’t allow that. We have to contain her. We have to rebound and box them out and limit them to one shot.”
‘The Creeper’
The Mercedes Lady Tigers sit atop District 32-5A with a record of 14-8, including a four-game winning streak to remain perfect in district play.
The wins have been spurred by Mercedes’ unyielding press defense, which coach Marissa Gutierrez describes as her team’s “strongest asset.”
Junior point guard Alyssa Marquez is averaging three steals a game. But getting turnovers is a team strategy for Mercedes. Emily Ramirez is affectionately dubbed “The Creeper” by her coach for her ability to sit back and read opposing offenses and swarm to the ball to generate a steal.
When the Lady Tigers aren’t getting easy buckets off turnovers, they’re looking inside to post Summer Vento to facility an inside-out offense.
With the season’s end approaching and district play in full swing, Guiterrez and the Lady Tigers look to remain focused for Friday’s matchup against PSJA North (8-15, 3-1).