By KEVIN NARRO | STAFF WRITER
PHARR—The Tri City Classic got off to a thrilling start when Harlingen South squared off against Brownsville Veterans Memorial.
The Chargers led by as many as 10 points in the final quarter, but a late fourth-quarter comeback led by Grant Lowery and Mark Becerra help put the game within reach for the Hawks.
Brownsville Veterans held a slim lead and after a missed layup in the final seconds, Harlingen South’s Grant Lowery pushed the ball and missed the potential game-tying three-pointer, giving the Chargers a 54-51 victory.
“I told the kids to keep trusting the process and for us to be more aggressive on the defensive end and limit the turnovers,” said Harlingen South coach Brian Molina. “We turned it over early and we tried to limit those two things, but Veterans is a tough team and I’m proud of the effort.”
The Chargers got off to a strong start that helped fuel them for four quarters. Justin Anaya led the way with 19-points and Dax Delgado finished with 10 points and Damian Maldonado netted 11 points.
“I think we came out pretty relaxed and got off to a good start early,” Chargers head coach Larry Gibson said. “They (South) had to battle back and that helps when you are able to build a lead early.”
South only led once when Lowey’s 3 gave them a 13-12 lead at the end of the first quarter. Lowery paced the offense with 15 points, while Becerra finished with 18 points.
The Hawks battled back in the third quarter cutting into the lead 39-36 late in the third quarter, but the Chargers had an answer for every shot South made.
“We use this tournament to find out where we are as a team and to prepare us for district. You know who your starting five are, you are looking for who is going to help you down the road, and you get to district and play two games a week — you want to build backups,” said Gibson. “Any time you can beat a Brian Molina-coached team you have done something; they are very well coached.”
Sharp Shooter
At last week’s Tournament of Champions in Los Fresnos, Harlingen’s Tony Aguilar brought home the three-point contest crown.
In his all-red jump suit and a pair of Vans on, Aguilar found his stroke and could not miss.
“It is just my mind set,” I always picture the ball going in,” Aguilar said.
Well, Aguilar nailed four three-pointers in the first quarter against McAllen Memorial and finished with 14 points, as Harlingen cruised to a 97-49 tournament-opening win against McAllen Memorial.
Batterymate Michael Arellano netted 13 points. The Cardinals got off to a hot start and led 37-11 at the end of the first quarter, and did not look back from there.
All of Aguilar’s points came in the first quarter, with the big lead, leading to him and the rest of the starters getting a rest throughout the game.
“We always come in ready to play and today was no different,” Aguilar said. “It was just business as usual for us and now we are getting ready for our next game.”
After their win against Memorial, the Cards fell to Sharyland Pioneer 62-60. Arellano scored 17 and Aguilar netted 16 points in the loss.