By JOSHUA McKINNEY and ANDREW CRUM, Staff Writers
District 32-6A is typically a tough district, and this season isn’t shaping up to be different.
With the four playoff spots wide open, Lopez looks to contend and make a postseason trip.
“The kids are ready to start playing for keeps,” Lopez coach Neil Schuster said. “We have showed a lot of fight during the non-district schedule but we need to work on our consistency and protecting the lead.”
The Christmas break came at the perfect time, Schuster said, to allow his players to get fresh legs heading into the district loop Saturday.
“The kids were a little banged up, so the extra rest should go a long way,” he said. “The boys want to put Lobo basketball back on the map, and I think this is a group that has the potential to do just that.”
One thing ailing the Lobos right now is their defensive play. They will need to fix things on that side of the court if they want to challenge for a playoff spot with the likes of Los Fresnos, Brownsville Veterans Memorial and Harlingen South playing strong through non-district.
“We will need to step up on the defensive side of the ball, and we must continue to improve our rebounding,” Schuster said. “We must eliminate mistakes in our defensive rotation. Our leaders and key contributors need to rise to the occasion and be ready to play big minutes.”
‘EXCITED’ TARPONS: Saturday brings the start of district play for Port Isabel, and the Tarpons are ready to go.
“We are excited about it,” coach Anthony Velarde said. “We have worked hard to prepare for the district schedule and look forward to starting the next part of our season.”
The Tarpons, who sit at 6-11, have grown in terms of their confidence in Velarde’s system and their ability to work together as a team.
Port Isabel’s growth in both of those aspects will be key in District 32-4A.
“You have to believe before you achieve, so we know we can be successful and win if we play as a team and execute our plan,” Velarde said. “We know it will be difficult because we are in a very tough district, but we feel like we have prepared to compete every night and we are looking forward to it.”
District 32-4A is deep, and Velarde said he’s treating the entire district as “tough competition.”
Hidalgo went four rounds deep in the playoffs last season, and La Feria made it to the second round. Raymondville and Zapata were the district’s other two playoff teams.
PACE PREPARED: The Pace Vikings still have a District 32-5A title in their sights, and coach Jose Luis Ramirez says the team is taking things day-to-day during the district season.
“We’ve grown as a team during (non-district), but now the new season starts and everyone is better prepared,” Ramirez said. “We will approach the season one game at a time and continue to work. We do have high expectations and expect to perform at our best each game.”
The Vikings were a playoff team one year ago and want to challenge in a district that includes Mercedes, Donna, Edcouch-Elsa and Porter, four teams that Ramirez thinks make the district round tough.
“Don’t overlook any opponent,” he said. “Prepare for each game especially if you’ve beaten them before.”
“We have to be creative at practice to keep the kids challenged and focused, and add twists to our offensive sets and to our defensive plan as well,” he added. “More than anything it’s just constant reminders to not let up.”
GIRLS HOLD COURT: After a holiday break and some tournaments thrown in for good measure, the Metro-area girls team return to district play.
Porter returns to District 32-5A action Saturday with a road trip to PSJA Southwest. Port Isabel, fresh off the West Oso tournament, plays host to Raymondville on Saturday.
St. Joseph Academy, which played in the McAllen Memorial tournament, plays host to First Baptist on Jan. 5, and each will begin district play in different TAPPS divisions soon after that.
Brownsville Veterans Memorial and Los Fresnos also competed at the McAllen Memorial tournament, and the Lady Falcons took the consolation title.
The teams resume play in District 32-6A on Jan 5. Los Fresnos travels to Harlingen High, and Brownsville Veterans hits the road to play San Benito.
Lopez, which visits La Joya High today in non-district action, plays at Hanna with each team seeking its first district win.
Rivera seeks its first district win at home against Harlingen South.
NOT MUCH REST: Pace didn’t get much rest during the holiday break.
The Lady Vikings practiced one last time last week before taking the UIL mandated five-day break, and then went headfirst back into the season.
Pace also competed in the McAllen Memorial tournament, going 2-2 with its wins over Los Fresnos and Valley View. The Lady Vikings will return to practice to get ready for their next District 32-5A game against PSJA High on Saturday.
After that, the Lady Vikings hit the road to face their city and district rival Porter on Jan. 5.