By ROY HESS, Staff Writer
Monday’s announcement of the new University Interscholastic League biennial district realignment has come and gone, and for the most part, has been welcomed by area coaches.
New district realignments affecting all sports during the next two school years, starting with August 2020, were announced in Harlingen.
For District 32-6A, it basically will be an expansion from six to eight teams with the addition of Weslaco High and Donna North to go along with Harlingen High, Harlingen South, San Benito, Brownsville Rivera, Brownsville Hanna, San Benito and Los Fresnos.
As far as the basketball coaches go, Clayton Cretors of the Harlingen High boys is willing to give the new district alignment a try.
“I can’t say it’s good or bad,” Cretors said. “I think our district is (going to be) more competitive. Schedules have to be adjusted to accommodate for the larger districts. But I don’t think it’s good or bad, just something every team has to adjust to.”
The Cardinals are 18-12 on the season and 4-2 in 32-6A. They are tied for second place in the district with Harlingen South, with their next game coming up at 7:30 p.m. today against the Hawks at the South gym in another “Bird Bowl” matchup.
Cretors likes the way his team has been playing.
“I like our efficiency on the offensive end as well as our communication on defense,” the Cardinals coach said. “I think we have steadily improved over the season.”
When asked about his top players, Cretors said they include senior guard-forward Mike Vasquez and junior point guard Eric Quilantan plus senior shooting guard Ashton Adams, who has been helping off the bench.
32-6A UPDATE
Los Fresnos continues to lead 32-6A with a 6-0 record as the Falcons close in on a sixth straight district championship. Harlingen High and Harlingen South come next at 4-2, San Benito and Hanna are 2-4, and Rivera is 0-6.
Los Fresnos, the Rio Grande Valley’s top-ranked team with a 26-3 season record, is coming off Tuesday’s 54-40 win at Harlingen High and will be at home to face Hanna at 7:30 p.m. today.
32-5A UPDATE
Brownsville Veterans Memorial and Brownsville Pace are the co-leaders in District 32-5A with 9-1 records. Donna High is third at 7-3, followed by Mercedes and Edcouch-Elsa, both at 5-5, Valley View at 3-7, Brownsville Porter at 2-8 and Brownsville Lopez at 0-10.
Donna High beat Pace 61-42 last Friday to create a tie for the top spot in the standings.
Brownsville Veterans plays host to Pace in a rematch Feb. 14 during the second round of district.