By JOSHUA McKINNEY, Staff Writer
Friday brings a rematch of District 32-6A’s top two teams: Los Fresnos and Brownsville Veterans Memorial.
Brownsville Veterans’ 63-61 loss to Harlingen High on Tuesday gave Los Fresnos a one-game lead in the district heading into the game, which will be held at Los Fresnos.
Los Fresnos (9-1 in district) won the previous game 71-65 in double overtime at Brownsville Veterans (8-2 in district).
Larry Gibson, the Chargers’ coach, knows his team will be ready to face the challenge after Tuesday’s loss.
“They know what’s at stake,” Gibson said. “They will be ready, I promise you. These are great kids, and they will give their all.”
Los Fresnos will have to watch out for Aaron Villarreal, the Chargers’ junior point guard who averages 13.3 points and 3.2 assists per game.
“Vets is a great team with great coaches,” Los Fresnos coach Marco Hinojosa said. “They have a lot of threats in the floor, but we really need to find a way to slow down Aaron (Villarreal). He is one of the toughest guards in the (Rio Grande) Valley, and he does a good job of scoring and getting everyone involved. But with that being said, we still need to take care of the basketball and find a way to outrebound them also.”
The Falcons have an outstanding point guard of their own in Hugo De La Cruz. The senior averages 19.8 points a game and has the ability to take over a game.
PORTER CONTENDS: A stinging loss to Pace last Friday won’t stop Porter from contending for a postseason spot.
The Cowboys beat Donna High 52-47 on Tuesday to move to 5-5 in District 32-5A, tied with Edcouch-Elsa for fourth place and one game back from PSJA High (6-4) in third.
Coach Luis Garza says his team continues to grow, and Tuesday’s result is the proof
“Definitely we can say we saw that (growth) today,” Garza said. “We were down 15 at one point in the third and we chipped away at it, and managed to seal the win in what was almost identical to Friday’s heartbreak. That’s basketball growth.”
“We just keep preaching belief in our team system.” he added. “Don’t change a thing. Play with confidence and leave it all on the floor. Deserve to win. Believe in our journey and trust every game we’ve played prepared us for this. Let the dominoes fall.”
PUSHING THROUGH: Pace continues to run full steam through District 32-5A, despite not having one of its top scorers at 100 percent.
Andres Salgado suffered a knee injury during last Tuesday’s 72-51 loss to PSJA High, and has seen minutes in the last two games but is still limited on how much he can do.
The Vikings are first in the district at 9-1, one game over Mercedes. They are led by Esteban Garza, one of the Rio Grande Valley’s best inside-out post players, and strong outside shooting by Luis Rodriguez.
Randy Aguilar and Mario Salinas have added strong presence from Pace’s bench, which might be the team’s unknown strength.
“It makes our team that much better (having strong depth),” Pace coach Jose Luis Ramirez said. “We have outside shooters and Mario and Esteban can establish an inside game, both elements for a fundamentally balanced team.”
Metro-area notebook: 32-6A heavyweights meet again
By JOSHUA McKINNEY, Staff Writer
Friday brings a rematch of District 32-6A’s top two teams: Los Fresnos and Brownsville Veterans Memorial.
Brownsville Veterans’ 63-61 loss to Harlingen High on Tuesday gave Los Fresnos a one-game lead in the district heading into the game, which will be held at Los Fresnos.
Los Fresnos (9-1 in district) won the previous game 71-65 in double overtime at Brownsville Veterans (8-2 in district).
Larry Gibson, the Chargers’ coach, knows his team will be ready to face the challenge after Tuesday’s loss.
“They know what’s at stake,” Gibson said. “They will be ready, I promise you. These are great kids, and they will give their all.”
Los Fresnos will have to watch out for Aaron Villarreal, the Chargers’ junior point guard who averages 13.3 points and 3.2 assists per game.
“Vets is a great team with great coaches,” Los Fresnos coach Marco Hinojosa said. “They have a lot of threats in the floor, but we really need to find a way to slow down Aaron (Villarreal). He is one of the toughest guards in the (Rio Grande) Valley, and he does a good job of scoring and getting everyone involved. But with that being said, we still need to take care of the basketball and find a way to outrebound them also.”
The Falcons have an outstanding point guard of their own in Hugo De La Cruz. The senior averages 19.8 points a game and has the ability to take over a game.
PORTER CONTENDS: A stinging loss to Pace last Friday won’t stop Porter from contending for a postseason spot.
The Cowboys beat Donna High 52-47 on Tuesday to move to 5-5 in District 32-5A, tied with Edcouch-Elsa for fourth place and one game back from PSJA High (6-4) in third.
Coach Luis Garza says his team continues to grow, and Tuesday’s result is the proof
“Definitely we can say we saw that (growth) today,” Garza said. “We were down 15 at one point in the third and we chipped away at it, and managed to seal the win in what was almost identical to Friday’s heartbreak. That’s basketball growth.”
“We just keep preaching belief in our team system.” he added. “Don’t change a thing. Play with confidence and leave it all on the floor. Deserve to win. Believe in our journey and trust every game we’ve played prepared us for this. Let the dominoes fall.”
PUSHING THROUGH: Pace continues to run full steam through District 32-5A, despite not having one of its top scorers at 100 percent.
Andres Salgado suffered a knee injury during last Tuesday’s 72-51 loss to PSJA High, and has seen minutes in the last two games but is still limited on how much he can do.
The Vikings are first in the district at 9-1, one game over Mercedes. They are led by Esteban Garza, one of the Rio Grande Valley’s best inside-out post players, and strong outside shooting by Luis Rodriguez.
Randy Aguilar and Mario Salinas have added strong presence from Pace’s bench, which might be the team’s unknown strength.
“It makes our team that much better (having strong depth),” Pace coach Jose Luis Ramirez said. “We have outside shooters and Mario and Esteban can establish an inside game, both elements for a fundamentally balanced team.”