By ROY HESS, Staff Writer
It’s become pretty much a tradition for Los Fresnos to capture the district championship in boys basketball.
With a 57-39 victory Tuesday at Brownsville Rivera, the Falcons claimed the outright District 32-6A record with a 10-0 record. It was their sixth district championship in a row.
Los Fresnos, 30-3 on the season, is the Rio Grande Valley’s top-ranked team.
Falcons coach Marco Hinojosa said his players developed have high expectations long before the season begins.
“Our guys have been locked in (to doing well) since the end of last year,” Hinojosa said. “With half the starters back and the addition of freshman Gerry Martinez, the guys not only wanted that sixth title, they also wanted to be the first team to do it with an undefeated record.
“This title is just as special as all the others,” the Falcons coach added. “But if you ask me what makes this team different, it’s the guys’ attention to detail and their disciplined play on the court.”
This season’s Falcons are a team with balanced scoring. Leading the way with double-digit scoring averages are Ricky Altamirano (16.2), Martinez (16.1), Elian Gonzalez (13.1) and Luis Gonzalez (12.3). All are seniors but the freshman Martinez.
“I think our players being committed in the offseason, with all the work they invest, and the stability in my assistants is what has carried the teams every year,” Hinojosa said. “Coach (Enrique) Hernandez has been with me all seven years and six titles. Coach (Alex) Lucio has been here four years now.
“We all work together well and bring something to the table,” Hinojosa added. “I would say we have all grown as coaches just by working together.”
The Falcons go against District 31-6A fourth-place Edinburg North in the Class 6A bi-district playoffs. The game is scheduled at 7 p.m. Monday at North.
OTHER 32-6A QUALIFIERS
The other three teams from 32-6A in the bi-district playoffs are district runner-up Harlingen High, third-place Harlingen South and fourth-place San Benito.
Also playing at 7 p.m. Monday is San Benito at Edinburg Vela. On Tuesday, it’s Weslaco High at Harlingen South at 7 p.m., and Harlingen High at Edinburg High at 7:30 p.m.
32-5A UPDATE
Brownsville Veterans Memorial finished as the District 32-5A champion with a 13-1 conference mark, and Brownsville Pace wound up as the 32-5A runner-up with a 12-2 record.
Both have Class 5A bi-district games scheduled at home at 7 p.m. Tuesday as Brownsville Veterans plays host to La Joya Palmview, and Mission Veterans Memorial comes to Pace.
Regarding the other two playoff teams from 32-5A, fourth-place Mercedes is at District 31-5A champion Sharyland Pioneer at 7 p.m. Monday, and 32-5A third-place Donna High is at home against PSJA Memorial at 7 p.m. Tuesday.
32-3A SHOWDOWN
Brownsville Jubilee defeated traditional Valley power Santa Rosa 77-60 on Tuesday to earn a district co-championship with the Warriors. The teams finished league play with 17-1 records.
The teams both advance to next week’s Class 3A bi-district playoffs with Jubilee facing San Diego at 6 p.m. Monday. Santa Rosa faces Falfurrias at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Sharyland Pioneer.
32-4A UPDATE
Besides District 32-4A champion Hidalgo, two other area teams from 32-4A also qualified for the Class 4A bi-district playoffs. They are Port Isabel and Rio Hondo.
Port Isabel plays Kingsville King at 7 p.m. Monday at Edcouch-Elsa and Rio Hondo takes on Sinton at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Harlingen High.
Zapata also qualified from 32-4A.