FREDDY GONZALEZ | Valley Morning Star
HARLINGEN — While the temperatures kept dropping into the low 30s outside, the Harlingen Lady Cardinals kept their five-game hot streak going inside the Cardinal gymnasium as they defeated crosstown rival Harlingen South 56-35 on Tuesday evening.
Harlingen won almost every quarter 16-4,17-12, 10-6, and 13-13. With the win, the Lady Cardinals remained 7-1 and tied for first place in the District 32-6A title race with Weslaco after San Benito fell to Los Fresnos 49-39.
“Anytime crosstown rivals play each other you will always get each other’s best and tonight was no different,” said Harlingen head coach Ashley Moncivaiz. “Our team did well tonight and I was able to play various combinations.”
Taegan Dickey led the team with 15 points, Alyssa Cervantes added 11 points, Nadia Flores scored nine, Andrea Cortez had eight and Ariel Leal contributed seven on the night as Harlingen kept a steady rotation of players throughout the game.
Julieann Garza might have only contributed four points to the scoreboard, but Moncivaiz singled her out as an integral part of team.
“While Julie didn’t really score because she only had four points, she is always hustling and diving on the floor,” said Moncivaiz. “She is al-ways that player that sacrifices her body and never wants to get pulled out. She’s a senior and a captain, and is just somebody that always cre-ates on attacks and tonight she was holding everyone together.”
For the Lady Hawks, Cameron Del Angel scored a team high 15 points, Brittani Sauceda scored four points, and Jamie Ambriz and Dolores Mendoza added three a piece.
Despite the loss, it was Harlingen South that got on the scoreboard first with Allyah Guevara leading the way. Unfortunately for the Lady Hawks, Harlingen went on an offensive run to finish the first period up 16-4.
The schedule doesn’t get any easier for the Lady Hawks as they host the Los Fresnos Lady Falcons on Friday. Meanwhile, the Cardinals head to Brownsville for a game against the Rivera Lady Raiders.