By ANDREW CRUM, Staff Writer
Brownsville Veterans Memorial used its guards to its advantage against Weslaco High.
The Lady Chargers received double-doubles from Jordan Rudd (11 points, 11 rebounds) and Briana Cortez (12 points, 10 rebounds) to lead the way during a 41-32 win over the Lady Panthers in a non-district girls basketball game Tuesday night at Brownsville Veterans.
Brownsville Veterans guard Hannah Meyers nearly had one, too. She finished with 10 points and nine rebounds as the trio made the difference against Weslaco High.
“We wanted to get a lead so we could spread the floor,” Brownsville Veterans coach Valentin Paz said. “Their staple is defense, I know (Coach Fino) was going to come out and apply pressure to Jordan. It was important for us to get that lead and allow the other players to be aggressive and find gaps (in the defense).”
During the first quarter, the teams traded buckets and free throws until a 3-pointer from the corner by Ares Muzquiz gave Brownsville Veterans an 11-7 lead. The Lady Chargers grabbed the lead and didn’t let go, taking a 14-9 advantage after one.
In the second quarter, Brownsville Veterans began with a 3-0 run, but Weslaco High answered with its own 4-0 run. The Lady Chargers finished the half on a 7-0 run that was highlighted by a Meyers 3-pointer, and Brownsville Veterans took a 24-14 lead at the break.
“We were trying to wake up all night, and it never seemed to happen,” Weslaco High coach Griselda Fino said. “I told the kids, ‘We need to make a run and get back in it.’ We tried to do that, but we can’t win when we don’t box out. We can’t win when we turn the ball over.”
Weslaco High’s Amy Garcia started a 6-0 run with a bucket during the third quarter and the Lady Panthers seemed to shift momentum. But the Lady Chargers used a 4-0 run to reclaim a 10-point lead.
Cortez had a 3-point play to make it 33-24, but Jazlynn Muniz answered with a 3-pointer for Weslaco High.
Brownsville Veterans used more zone defense during the second half and it showed, as the Lady Chargers went on a 5-0 run to push the lead to nine points. The teams traded free throws down the stretch, but the Lady Panthers did not get any closer.
The Lady Chargers won the rebounding battle 38-27, and the defense forced the Lady Panthers to settle for outside jump shots.
“I think we had a slow game, period, but all the credit to Brownsville (Veterans), they’re a good ballclub,” Fino said. “My team is a lot better than we played (Tuesday). Our shots weren’t falling. And our inside presence didn’t show up until the second half, but it was a little too late.”
Garcia led Weslaco High with 10 points — including seven after halftime — and 11 rebounds, and Shaela Tamez had eight points and five rebounds for the Lady Panthers.
Paz was pleased with the way his team hit the boards against Weslaco High.
“If we don’t rebound, it doesn’t matter how good we do on every other facet, we’re not going to win games,” he said. “I was very happy with the way we played defense and rebounded.”
Andrew Crum covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him at (956) 982-6629 or via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @andrewmcrum.