BY SAUL BERRIOS-THOMAS | STAFF WRITER
The final four is set in both Valley tournaments taking place this weekend.
Sharyland Pioneer and Harlingen South battled into the night to determine the final team that will still be in the running for the PSJA Tri-City Classic title on Saturday, while the City of Palms tournament has tantalizing matchups now lined up for the final day.
The highlight of the day was the chance for the Running Bobcats of Edinburg High to go toe-to-toe with the Panthers of Weslaco High in a what could be a preview of the District 31-6A title race.
The Bobcats got off to a strong start, but the Weslaco High defense clamped down and prevented the Bobcats from getting the shots they wanted.
EHS seniors Antoine Woodard and Ricky Alaniz found their range early. Alaniz knocked down two triples and Woodard scored 10 points, including two 3s, all in the first quarter.
The Bobcats would hit just one 3-pointer in the final three quarters.
While Caleb Ybarra was the anchor on defense for the Panthers, the other two-thirds of the Weslaco High trio of senior guards, known as the Rugrats, Safi Fino-A-Laself and Isaiah Garcia carried the load on offense.
The two combined for 19 points in the second half to power the Panthers to the win, 57-40.
The Panthers join Brownsville Veterans, South San Antonio and Sharyland Pioneer as the four teams left standing in the PSJA tournament.
Pioneer got a great game from senior forward Taggart Chandler who finished with 11 points. Junior Luke Padilla added 12 points and Aaron Cuevas and Eddie Lee Marburger each scored 8 to get the Diamondbacks past the Hawks and into the final.
BOOTY FOR THE PIRATES
The Hidalgo Pirates won a big matchup Friday night, 62-54 over McAllen Memorial, to continue their quest toward the treasure that is the Silver Bracket title.
The Pirates got a clutch performance from Gus Sanchez, who buried two baskets while being fouled, late in the fourth quarter. Sanchez converted both three-point plays.
Sanchez finished with 15 points. Saul Arjona led the Pirates with 17.
Juniors Kobe Gushwa and Zyan Gregory led the way for the Mustangs in a heartbreaker.
ALL PALMS ON DECK
The City of Palms Tournament may have some of the best matchups scheduled for the final day of the tournament.
McAllen High and Los Fresnos will meet in the early semifinal, before McAllen Rowe and Edinburg Economedes square off to determine the other finalist.
The championship game is set for 6 p.m. at McAllen Rowe High School.
McAllen High went through San Benito and Tamaulipas, both on Thursday, to reach the semifinals. Los Fresnos beat Donna North and Pace. Economedes was in a scrap with Donna High in the opening round, before getting by Brownsville Rivera to reach the final day. McAllen Rowe also pulled double duty on Thursday, topping La Feria and U-ERRE.
Grulla and Donna High will each face a team from Mexico, U-ERRE and Tamaulipas, respectively. The winners of each game will meet for the consolation title.