BY NATE KOTISSO | THE MONITOR
During Edinburg Vela’s first five seasons as a program, the SaberCats have been known to start district competition with a bang. Vela began district play 5-0 in three of those seasons and was no worse than 2-3 in the other two.
Two weeks ago, the SaberCats were in unchartered territory. Following the team’s 13-point home loss to PSJA North on Jan. 5, Vela dropped to 1-4 in District 31-6A for the first time in program history. The SaberCats were getting beat by an average of 18.8 points per game in district play.
“We talked to the girls about what we needed to do to regroup for the second round and get into the playoffs,” Edinburg Vela coach Lottie Zarate said. “They can win ball games. They’ve proven that with how well they did in preseason tournament play. There’s no reason why we can’t beat the teams that we need to beat.”
Six from Vela’s 10-player rotation, including two freshmen, are playing varsity basketball for the first time this season. The young core needed to get back to what made the SaberCats a district champion in the past: stingy defense.
“My assistant, Coach (Monica) Rodriguez, is a great coach. I trust her with the offensive side of our team. I take the bull by the horns on the defensive end,” Zarate said. “A lot of the time, defense can create your offense. Good defense can also get into the mind of your opponent. A little pressure can shake them up a bit.”
Aided by defensive standouts Julia Cordon (3.7 steals) and Kayleen Rios (3.1 steals), the SaberCats (21-10) have rattled off three wins in a row to get back to 4-4 and a fourth-place tie in 31-6A.
The tie for fourth was secured after Edinburg Vela defeated Edinburg North by 16 points on Tuesday, avenging a six-point loss to the Cougars on Dec. 15. The SaberCats will contend with the Edinburg High Bobcats at 6 tonight.