BY JON R. LaFOLLETTE | STAFF WRITER
EDINBURG — The game plan for the Edinburg Vela Lady SaberCats is simple.
Let Jaida Muhammad take control.
Though Vela sports an athletic and balanced lineup complete with interior size and capable perimeter threats, the junior guard is the catalyst for a Lady SaberCats team pushing for a third district title in as many years.
Muhammad’s skills were displayed from start to finish Friday during Vela’s 49-20 win over Roma. Employing her speed, length, deft hands and patience, she scored 21 points, collected 11 steals, nabbed four rebounds and committed just one turnover.
The SaberCats’ win improves them to a 5-3 record in District 31-5A, one game behind Sharyland High and Rio Grande City for first place with four regular-season games remaining. Roma falls to 4-4 but remains in playoff contention.
Aside from Mission Veterans’ Ashley Smith, Muhammad proves a difficult matchup for every district opponent. Her combination of size, quickness and decision-making ranks her as one of the best guards in the Valley. But aside from her raw talent, Muhammad impresses with her maturity and leadership.
“She’s grown a lot for us,” Vela coach Lottie Zarate said. “She knows how to control her team and demonstrate calm, to always feel her way through the course of a game. She knows the importance of controlling her team. She’s always on the court leading them.”
Though Vela enjoyed a 15-5 lead after the first quarter that would only mushroom as the evening progressed, Muhammad never relinquished her commanding mentality. She rallied her team during timeouts and took ownership of her mistakes — be it a bad pass or a missed defensive
assignment.
But that player-as-coach attitude was limited to the sidelines for much of the season. During a November tournament game, Muhammad suffered a right high ankle sprain that kept her in street clothes until a Dec. 28 contest against Devine.
Though stuck on the bench, Muhammad kept her spirit high and voice present.
“When I was out, I was still talking to the girls,” Muhammad said. “My competitive muscles were still going. It was just working on communication. I’ve gotta keep my team going.”
Without Muhammad and sophomore post Bianca Cortez, who also suffered an ankle injury around the same time, the Lady SaberCats took their lumps. After a 53-42 loss to Roma on Dec. 18, Vela sported a forgettable 9-15 record and were 0-2 in 31-5A. Hopes of claiming another district crown appeared bleak.
But the team’s fortunes turned with the return of Cortez and Muhammad. Of the 12 games in which Muhammad has played, the Lady SaberCats are 8-4 with only a pair of losses to Valley teams (Brownsville Veterans Memorial and Rio Grande City).
When asked about her impact on the team, Muhammad doesn’t mention numbers. She’s a captain first and foremost. But she leads on the stats page, too. Muhammad ranks first on the team in points per game (11.2) assists (2.3) and steals (3.9).
Despite having won eight of their last nine, Vela needs help in order to win the district championship. But given the way the season has played out, the team is happy to be in the position they’re in.
“We’re getting ready for the playoffs,” Muhammad said. “But coach always tells us that you never know what can happen. We’re just taking things one game at a time, and we’ll see how everything looks when all is said and done.”