By MARIO AGUIRRE | STAFF WRITER
With a deeper roster, Valley View’s Miguel Angel Garcia doesn’t have to shoulder the type of offensive load he did a year ago.
This season, Garcia is averaging 10.0 points per game since moving from the lead guard role to the post. Looking to take advantage of some mismatches on Tuesday, the senior slid back to his former position and erupted for a career-high 33 points as the Tigers posted a 60-55 overtime win over Mission Veterans Memorial to forge a two-way tie for second place in District 31-5A along with Sharyland Pioneer.
Garcia scored a combined 16 points in the final period and extra session, showing much of the offensive versatility that allowed him to become the team’s primary scorer and ball handler in 2014-15.
“Yesterday was the first time he brought the ball up the court, and he looked comfortable. He was able to take over the game more easily,” Valley View coach Robert Guerra said. “He brought out his guard skills, and that really helped him shine.”
Filling out his 6-foot-2 1/2 frame, the Tigers have utilized Garcia in the post. Against bigger players, Garcia can drift around the 3-point arc and bury a shot. When he’s guarded by smaller players, the senior goes to work with his back to the basket on the low block.
With point guard Ricky Gomez flourishing as the point guard, and Mission Veterans transfer Adam Solis adjusting to his new surroundings, the Tigers have vaulted themselves into the playoff mix, where they trail only Edinburg Vela, the No. 1-ranked team in the RGVSports.com poll, for the top spot.
FINDING A RHYTHM
Heading into this week, PSJA High had won three in a row, including a 21-point over the top team in District 32-5A.
The catalyst for that has been senior point guard Mike Mares, who has averaged 20 points per game during that stretch. Coach James Jauregui calls his 5-foot-11 ball handler “a one-man press breaker,” who zips and down the court and finds teammates with relative ease.
He’s dribbled the length of the court in 3-4 seconds, Jauregui said, and it’s allowed the Bears (11-20, 6-4) the break from taps from teams like Edcouch-Elsa, Brownsville Porter and Donna High.
“That’s his style of play,” Jauregui said. “He’s an open-court player. He’s very good with the basketball. Attacks well. Tall and lanky kid. He has this extended dribble that helps him run the floor — and the kids understand spacing — so it helps them fill the lanes and pick up easy assists.”