BY TJ GARCIA | SPECIAL TO THE MONITOR
MERCEDES – The Mercedes Tigers’ sharp-shooter Jordan Ovalle exploded in the second quarter with 17 points and Mercedes put on a shooting clinic in an 89-68 blowout victory over Sharyland High on Friday night.
The 5-foot-7 Ovalle bottomed four threes in leading the Tigers’ offensive onslaught in the second period, during which Mercedes outscored scored Sharyland 35-11 and never looked back.
“That was our best first half, scoring 52, this year,” said Mercedes coach Rick Trevino. “We had a really good offensive performance. Even stuff we were missing guys were picking them up and putting them back in.”
Mercedes went on a 24-7 run to close out the second and missed just four shots the entire period, going 12 for 16 from the floor. The Tigers also grabbed all four missed shots and scored eight second-chance points.
It was about as perfect a period as a team could have. The Tigers forced 13 Sharyland turnovers in the first half, often leading to quick baskets on the other end. Their passing was sharp and communication was obvious. The win improves Mercedes’ overall record to 16-5, and sets the Tigers up to begin district play in a couple of weeks.
The only bad news for the Mercedes was the injury to talented forward Brandon Lozoya, who appeared to hurt his ankle. He had 13 points and four rebounds before he was carried off the court midway through the third quarter. No word was immediately available regarding the extent of the injury.
Still, it was nearly all smiles for the Tigers, who built leads of up to 34 points in the third quarter before emptying the bench for the fourth quarter.
All but one player on the roster scored. In addition to Ovalle, Caleb Arthur posted 14 points with an array of inside shots and put backs, while Jesse Fuentes added 10 points to round out those in double digits.
The game started slowly with Mercedes hanging on to a small 17-15 lead after one. Sharyland got all its points from five treys and was hot from the arc, especially junior guard Nazier Moore. But all that was before Ovalle threw gas on the basketball flame. He said he knew he was on almost immediately.
“I’m on fire. Give me the ball. I’m going to make them,” said the junior guard of his mentality that quarter. “Everyone has the green light. If you see an open shot take it.”
Ovalle finished with 23 points, didn’t play the fourth quarter, and had several assists and steals. Ovalle and Trevino both said they like where the Tigers are at this point in the season, but know they have a difficult district schedule ahead of them.
For Sharyland, it was paced on offense by senior forward Andres Abrego’s 15 points and junior guard Johnny Escamilla’s 14. Much of Sharyland’s points came in the final quarter with Tigers’ starter already out. Moore added 12.