BY JON R. LaFOLLETTE | STAFF WRITER
During last night’s 31-29 district-opening win over Brownsville Pace, Mercedes coach Monica Meza had a wish that has recurred throughout the season.
“After (Tuesday), it would be nice to have a little bit of height inside,” the first-year coach said.
But barring a sudden and miraculous growth spurt, the Lady Tigers will remain an undersized team heavy on guard-play. Despite playing without a go-to post threat, however, Mercedes (13-8) has proven the early-season favorite in District 32-5A and are the only team in the district with an overall winning record.
But Meza isn’t allowing her team to overlook the competition.
“We’re back-to-back district champions,” Meza said. “We know that people are going to play at a higher level against us. Our kids know the situation, but they also know the goals we have and are ready.”
The Lady Tigers’ lack of size means an increase in physicality in all facets of the game. On defense they often swarm to the ball, setting traps in hopes of generating turnovers into transition buckets. And though they give up their share of offensive rebounds, that doesn’t deter Mercedes
“We still play really physical,” Meza sid. “We’re undersized, but we want to be the most physical person down low.”
Exerting so much energy on both sides of the ball has mean an added focus on endurance during practices. The Lady Tigers often begin with running exercises. Only when they’re winded will they begin drills.
“We get them winded before we get into the heavy stuff, because that’s the way it’s going to be during game time,” Meza said. “I told some of the girls before the season that they had to be in shape because they were going to play 32 minutes a night. If they do get a break, it’s usually just a few minutes.”
The Lady Tigers host Donna North at 7:30 p.m. on Friday.
ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT
The season did not begin the way PSJA High coach Stephanie Cantu imagined. The Lady Bears began their season with an 0-5 record. Since then, however, PSJA has gone 7-6, and have rounded into shape for District 32-5A competition.
“I think the biggest difference is a change in attitude,” Cantu said. “The girls are starting to believe in the system and are starting to play as a team. They play hard and they play together. Everyone has a specific role. Our leading defensive girl is not going to be our leading scorer, they know that now.”
Cantu says the catalyst for the Lady Bears’ improved play was a 50-38 win over La Joya High during the Tommie Wiseman Tournament earlier this month at La Feria.
“They came out and just played,” Canut said. “They looked like a million dollars, and they saw how dangerous we can be. There was just a different atmosphere on the court, but in a good way.”
The leading scorer for PSJA High is Mariah West, a senior post who averages nine points per game. West, a tennis and volleyball player, has been a strong finisher in the paint and has served as the focal point for the team’s press defense, accumulating steals whenever she can.
“Her confidence has really come a long way,” Cantu said. “I’ve seen her potential and I know what she can do. She can really be the standout player in our district.”
WE’RE NEW HERE
Los Fresnos and Rio Grande City are newcomers to the RGVSports.com Top 10 this week, after being unranked during the preseason. The Lady Falcons are 12-6, 1-0 District 32-6A. Rio Grande City is 14-6, 1-0 District 31-5A. Sophomore post Jocy Amaya leads the Lady Rattlers in scoring with 20.7 points per game.