By ANDREW CRUM | THE BROWNSVILLE HERALD
PORT ISABEL — Port Isabel wanted to bounce back against Progreso after back-to-back losses in District 32-4A.
The Lady Tarpons did just that using a pair of runs in the first quarter to build a lead they wouldn’t relinquish in a 53-20 victory over the Lady Red Ants in a District 32-4A girls basketball game Friday.
Sabrina Garza led the way for Port Isabel (3-2 in District 32-4A) with 19 points, six rebounds, three assists and three steals in the win over Progreso (0-5). Garza had 11 points by the break, including a 3-pointer, and eight points in the third quarter to pace the offensive output.
“It was important to start the game good so everything else goes well,” Garza said. “It’s a district game and we felt like we had something to prove to keep us in the top four (in district).”
The Lady Tarpons started the opening quarter on a 5-0 run until the Lady Red Ants’ Briana Martinez hit a layup to break the streak. Then Port Isabel started a 6-0 run with the help from a pair of buckets from Gabby Murchison before Martinez hit a bucket to make it 11-4. Garza hit a 3 to push the lead to 14-4 and Murchison finished with seven points in the first quarter as the Port Isabel took a 16-4 edge.
“That was a goal coming in to set the tempo from the tip and I think we did a pretty good job,” Port Isabel coach Hannah Burleson said. “We missed a lot of easy shots early on, but we got it together … I think we did a better job defensively and usually where our offense comes is generated from.”
Ryley Galvan started the second quarter with back-to-back buckets and Garza had a steal and a layup and another bucket as part of a 10-0 run for the Lady Tarpons. Sydney Alaniz hit a free throw for Progreso to stop the run, but the Lady Red Ants couldn’t find a consistency on offense and Port Isabel took a 29-8 advantage into the break.
“We couldn’t execute,” Progreso coach Lydia De Leon said. “When it comes to a little bit of pressure, we handle it some games and other games we don’t … it’s been on-and-off. I expected a good game against PI with the same intensity (we had against La Feria), but we cracked (under the pressure).”
Garza started the third quarter where she left off in the first half, hitting a jumper to start another run for the Lady Tarpons. Sabrina Gonzalez hit a 3 as Port Isabel took a 38-8 lead after a 9-0 run. Alaniz hit a free throw and put back from Martinez helped Progreso chip away at the lead, but Garza got a three-point play as the Lady Tarpons built a 45-13 edge after three.
“Sabrina has really stepped up coming back from Christmas break,” Burleson said. “Looking at the second half of the season … she’s determined. She wants to make the playoffs and sometimes she takes the ball into her hands and makes something happen. That’s what we need to happen from an upperclassman, that leadership, as we get ready to start the second half of district after next week.
“This is a great time for her to start coming together and she’s more than capable of making that happen.”
Alaniz got a bucket and Galilea Pecina hit a pair of free throws to start the fourth quarter for the Lady Red Ants, but Port Isabel traded baskets with them the rest of the way to seal the district victory.
Alaniz finished with nine points, three rebounds and four steals and Martinez added seven points and 12 rebounds for Progreso.
It was another tough game for the Lady Red Ants who have been off-track since district play started.
“We had a good preseason,” De Leon said. “So hopefully we catch back up (in district).”
Murchison finished with nine points and six rebounds and Galvan added six points, seven rebounds and a pair of steals for the Lady Tarpons.
Port Isabel was happy to end a two-game skid after it started District 32-4A with a pair of wins.
“It’s huge … any time you get a (district) win, it’s good,” Burleson said. “A win is a great morale booster … it’s a step in the right direction for sure.”
Andrew Crum covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him at (956) 982-6629 or via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @andrewmcrum.