By MARIO AGUIRRE | STAFF WRITER
WESLACO — It was around the Christmas break that Weslaco High coach Gabe Valdez noticed some regression in his team’s defense, and a couple weeks later he picked up on some of their offensive inconsistencies, as well.
So as the Panthers prepared to close in on the halfway point of their District 31-6A schedule, they reiterated one motto — “failing to prepare is preparing to fail” — as motivation in practice this week.
In its first game since then, Weslaco beat rival Weslaco East, 73-33, to break out of a three-way for second place in the standings Friday.
Valdez called it the most complete game Weslaco (18-7, 3-1) has played all season. The Panthers had three players score in double figures, including Justice Free, who poured in a season-high 22 points. Jason Morales had 19 points, including three 3-pointers in the final period, and Braxton Bloomquist added 11 points.
Nick Mora also scored 5 points in his return from a high-ankle sprain.
“Everyone brought a little bit of something to help us get here,” Valdez said.
Much of their success was a result of their defense, where the Panthers surrendered double digits in points in only one quarter, when they gave up 10 points during the second. They held Weslaco East to just two field goals during the final period, as Weslaco High outscored them 29-6.
“They just came out wanting it more,” Weslaco East coach Jorge Martinez said. “They came out with a lot more energy, a lot more intensity. We didn’t match today, and that was the result.
“I think that (this loss) needs to be a wakeup call that district is another level. That everybody’s fighting for a spot, and nothing’s going to be given. We’ve got to go back to the drawing board, work harder, work on our flaws, and hopefully we get it done.”
Weslaco East (17-8, 2-2) entered the game with identical overall and district marks as Weslaco High, drawing a three-way tie in the 31-6A standings, along with PSJA North.
The Panthers broke loose with one of their better defensive efforts of the season, while turning to Free on the offensive end. His effectiveness in the paint allowed Weslaco to operate with an inside-outside game that complemented the outside shooting of Morales, who finished with four 3-pointers.
“They threw the ball inside very effectively, and we didn’t do a good job of helping,” Martinez said. “They capitalized on easy baskets in the paint, and that got them going.”
Morales pointed to the team’s weeklong efforts in practice as the catalyst for their all-around effort play, from players diving for loose balls to boxing out rebounds and manning the paint.
“We did a great job in practice, doing the little things to become a better team, and it showed tonight,” Valdez said.
More than a week removed from their lone district loss, Valdez said he’s seen his team make strides on both ends of the court. After losing by 3 points to Edinburg North last Tuesday, Valdez said his team needed to execute better, especially if shots weren’t falling.
On Friday, the Panthers never let their foot off the pedal, as they scored more than 60 points for the fourth time this season.
“I have a really good squad, and I’ve always felt from the beginning that we have a team capable of competing for a district title,” Valdez said. “Hopefully we’re doing the right things at the right time to get us to where we need to be at the end.”