By MARK MOLINA | STAFF WRITER
After two rounds of playoff basketball, not only do are the Port Isabel Tarpons and Pace Vikings still kicking, but both are on historic runs for their programs.
Both will look to keep the ride going to their respective Region IV tournaments, but will each have a state-ranked team in their way.
PACE
In Class 5A, the Pace Vikings are on the heels of a thrilling 86-79 overtime victory over King (Corpus Christi) on Friday night and reach the third round for the first time since 1993 where they fell 64-63 to Miller (Corpus Christi).
Despite a long hiatus from the third round, the Vikings approach is business as usual and don’t feel like they’re playing with house money.
“It’s been a lot of film, review and trying to stay off the legs after a couple of tough games with Roma and (King),” Pace head coach Jose Luis Ramirez said. “You go through some tough games, but the team’s attitude today has been that they expected to be here. It’s not like we’re surprised and have done something we didn’t expect. They don’t think about not being (in the third round) for the first time since 1993.
“It’s a big accomplishment, I know, but the kids seem like they aren’t satisfied or happy.”
The Vikings now face No. 16 Nixon (Laredo), which has looked sharp in two playoff games, beating Porter 93-45 in bi-district and Ray (Corpus Christi) 87-73 in area.
“They bring a lot of pressure defense and are in your face all game long whether they make a bucket or miss a bucket,” Ramirez said. “They are also big scorers and they play a fast game. It’s a style we haven’t seen much of, but as far as size and speed, I don’t think we’re outmatched, it’s all a matter of adjusting and setting the tone.
“We have our work cut out for us, but we’re willing to do it.”
In terms of scoring, Pace has gotten huge production from seniors Randy Aguilar and Julio Ortega.
Ortega has been steady, scoring 18 against Roma and 17 against King, but Aguilar has taken the scoring burden off of him.
Aguilar has 47 points combined in the two playoff games, including 31 against King.
“Randy was that scorer in his junior and senior year, but this year he struggled because of injuries after football season took their toll,” Ramirez said. “As of late he has been playing with more confidence. He’s persevered and put in extra work and it has been huge to take some of the scoring load off of Julio, who we rely on quite a bit.”
Pace and Nixon tipoff at 7 p.m. tonight at H.M. King High School.
PORT ISABEL
In Class 4A, the Tarpons are in the regional quarterfinals for the first time in their history after knocking off Carrizo Springs 71-62 Friday night.
Head coach Mike Hazelton said while it’s been a tiring playoff stretch, the atmosphere has been special.
“The turnaround has been pretty quick and traveling on 3 1/2 hours on a bus one-way takes a lot out of kids who have played their hearts out,” he said. “I think the players are enjoying each other’s company and are playing basketball. It’s all positive, good vibes and the kids are getting a lot of attention from the school.”
Up next for Port Isabel is the No. 22 Somerset Bulldogs, who defeated Lytle and Aransas Pass during its playoff run and are in the midst of a 14-game winning streak.
The Bulldogs bring size to the table and makes trying to defeat them a daunting task, but Hazelton hopes his team’s speed can be the deciding factor.
“They were a team that advanced to the quarterfinal matchup last year,” Hazelton said. “They are a very big team with players that are 6 foot, 10 inches, 6 foot, 7inches and they have a guard that is 6 foot, 1 inch and averages 21 points a game. They have the size, but hopefully we will have the speed advantage.”
A couple of Tarpons are coming off big games Friday, including junior Tommy Zurrita, who scored 20 points in the first half against Carrizo Springs and finished with 28.
Senior Chuy Saldivar finished with 14 points and Fernie Lopez pitched in nine.
The Tarpons and Bulldogs tipoff at 7 p.m. tonight at Texas A&M University Kingsville.