FREDDY GONZALEZ | Staff Writer
The message to the San Benito Lady Greyhounds from head coach Abel Moreno Jr. was simple: “Play loose because you’ve got nothing to lose.”
Obviously coach Moreno would be ecstatic to see his team close out the regular season with back-to-back wins, but he also understands the caliber of opponents his squad will be up against heading into the final part of the District 32-6A schedule.
San Benito has been on roll as of late as they head into tonight’s matchup against the league-leading Weslaco Lady Panthers. They are currently riding a four-game win streak that includes a big 31-23 victory over Harlingen South. In their first encounter the Lady Hawks had held on for a one-point win.
“They asked me ‘why can we play loose,’” added Moreno. “I told them, ‘You’re playing a team that at this point has solidified themselves as the possible district winner. You have nothing to lose; you have more to gain rather than lose.’
“That win (against South) came from the team’s back being against the wall,” continued Moreno. “After the loss to Los Fresnos the girls quickly realized that the possibility of not making the playoffs became real. We knew a win against South could be the difference between being in the playoffs and not being in the playoffs.
“I think that win was the best team ball the girls had played all year. They are playing with a lot of confidence and it scares me a little, but they have shown they can get things done. I don’t think anything that happens here at the end will break their confidence.”
After Tuesday’s win over Brownsville Hanna, the Lady Hounds (8-4) moved into a tie for third place with Harlingen South (8-4). Meanwhile, Weslaco (11-1) heads into tonight’s game looking to clinch a share of the district title.
SAN BENITO’S PLAYOFF SENARIOS: Should the Lady ’Hounds drop their final two games against Weslaco and Harlingen High, and Los Fresnos wins both of its against Weslaco and Brownsville Rivera, the two would be tied, setting up a potential play-in game.
However, should the Lady ’Hounds win out and should Weslaco East beat Harlingen South tonight, that scenario would give San Benito the third seed and the Lady Hawks would fall to fourth.
Any other outcome would give San Benito a fourth seed.
32-4A STANDINGS: The race for positioning is officially underway in District 32-4A.
Hidalgo leads the group with a record of 11-1 heading into tonight’s game against Port Isabel (6-6).
La Feria sits in second place at 10-2 with sights firmly set upon the Hidalgo-PI game. The Lionettes are at Raymondville (6-6) tonight. However, should the Lady Tarpons defeat the Lady Pirates, La Feria would move even with Hidalgo.
In third place are the Grulla Lady Gators with a record of 7-5. The Lady Gators have both Zapata and La Feria left on their schedule.
Raymondville, Port Isabel and Rio Hondo sit one game behind Grulla at 6-6.