BY JON R. LaFOLLETTE | STAFF WRITER
McALLEN — There was never any doubt concerning Renee Flores’ talent, not from her coaching staff or the La Joya Palmview freshman herself.
Despite her youth and lack of varsity experience, Flores’ skillset was apparent as she blossomed from a fourth-grade novice to a budding middle school prospect: the length and agility, her soft shooting touch, court vision and ability to finish at the rim. Coupled with a quiet confidence, Flores’s play is cool but controlled and commanding.
“I’ve put a lot of time and effort into the game,” Flores said. “I’m dedicated and I know that I can be here helping my team.”
Flores was certainly a help for her team Tuesday at the McAllen Memorial girls basketball tournament. Though the Lady Lobos dropped their opening-round game to PSJA North 44-32, Flores scored 19 points on 8-of-12 attempts and was one reason the Lady Raiders were unable to completely pull away.
The freshman guard collected buckets from downtown, at the rim, the charity stripe and off fast-break opportunities generated by takeaways. At one point, Flores made five consecutive attempts, fueling a second-half Palmview comeback.
“I think she’s growing into what type of player she wants to be,” caoch Anisa Reyna said. “She wants to be more aggressive and get to the line. She wants to be able to get off the dribble and take it and score. She wants to showcase those little skills that aren’t always taught or emphasized, but are things we hammer home at our program.”
Flores has assimilated well with her new team. Through 19 games, Flores is averaging a team-high 13.7 points per game along with 2.5 steals and 1.8 assists. Alongside teammates Samantha Gutierrez and Brittany Cano, Palmview (13-6) boasts a guard attack predicated on balance.
“I just want to fit in on the team,” Flores said. “I’m just trying compliment the talent that’s already here and help get this team to where we want to be.”
Reyna and others on Palmview’s staff often describe Flores as unselfish, a capable threat that’s still able to work within the confines of a particular system. But Flores and the rest of the Lady Lobos are being counted on to do more than contend once more for a District 30-6A title. They bear the burden of establishing a winning foundation at a program without one.
“Last year was a good year for us,” Reyna said. “But we don’t want to be a flash in the pan or some one-hit wonder. We still need to improve decision making, cut back on turnovers and work on our consistency in order to get to where teams like PSJA North are.”