The race for district championships and playoff berths are heating up with two weeks left in the high school boys basketball regular season.
While some perennial contenders are back in the title conversation, some new teams have inserted themselves into the playoff picture and hope to make some history while they’re at it.
DISTRICT 31-6A
La Joya High, which sits atop the 31-6A standings with a two-game lead at 19-2 overall and 11-1 in district, has put itself in position to capture a district title for the first time since 2005. The Coyotes are one of the hottest teams in the Rio Grande Valley, riding an 11-game winning streak after beating PSJA High 45-42 Tuesday.
Two more wins now stand in between the Coyotes and clinching at least a share of the District 31-6A championship. On deck for La Joya is a rivalry game tonight against La Joya Juarez-Lincoln, and a huge district game Tuesday against Edinburg Economedes (15-5, 8-3) slated for a 7 p.m. tip-off in La Joya.
DISTRICT 32-6A
Weslaco High made the title race in 32-6A a lot more interesting Monday by handing Los Fresnos its first district loss of the season in an overtime thriller. Both the Panthers and Falcons, who split their season head-to-head series, are now tied for No. 1 in 32-6A at 8-1 with five district games remaining.
Los Fresnos (19-2) is set to take on Harlingen High at 8 tonight in Harlingen, while Weslaco (15-3) will look for a win at home over Brownsville Hanna, also for an 8 p.m. tip.
DISTRICT 30-5A
Rio Grande City beat Mission Veterans 76-51 in a makeup game Thursday night to improve to 4-1 in 30-5A competition. The Rattlers’ lone loss in district was an 84-59 defeat against Laredo Martin, who leads 30-5A with a 4-0 record.
Tonight, Starr County hoops will step into the spotlight, as Rio Grande City (9-4, 4-1) is set to travel for a battle against the Roma Gladiators (7-4, 3-2) at 6 p.m. at Roma.
DISTRICT 31-5A
The majority of District 31-5A has been waiting in the wings due to COVID-19 concerns the past couple weeks, which has set up a sprint to the finish.
For example, PSJA Southwest is facing a string of 10 games in just nine days, which includes two double-headers against McAllen High and McAllen Rowe.
The Bulldogs, who are tied with the Rowe Warriors for No. 1 in 31-5A with matching 5-1 district records, have eight games scheduled to be played in the next two weeks. Meanwhile, Rowe remains firmly in the hunt for its fifth consecutive district championship, while the Bulldogs hope to stake their claim for the top spot in 31-5A and the city of McAllen.
DISTRICT 32-5A
After dropping its district opener to Edcouch-Elsa, Donna High (8-5, 6-1) has gone on a six-game winning streak to move into the No. 2 spot in the 32-5A standings.
Senior point guard Eddy Epperson has been getting the job done on both ends of the floor for Donna, averaging 17.1 points, 4.9 assists and 4.5 steals a game, which ranks No. 1 in the RGV in thefts. Roger Rodriguez and Javier Calvillo also give Donna a triple-threat offensively as Rodriguez is scoring 14.2 points per game, while Calvillo is averaging 13.8 and 5.9 rebounds in 13 games.
DISTRICT 32-4A
Tuesday’s marquee matchup in District 32-4A between Port Isabel and Hidalgo was postponed, but the Pirates and Tarpons have rescheduled their game during the final week of the regular season Feb. 11.
A few pieces of the puzzle still need to come together, but the Pirates (4-5, 3-1) and Tarpons (6-1, 4-0) regular-season finale could be with the District 32-4A trophy on the line.
DISTRICT 31-3A
North Mission IDEA has been a head above the rest of District 31-3A as the Warriors remain No. 1 in the league at 13-0. Making the unbeaten district run so far even more impressive is the fact that it’s North Mission IDEA’s first season at the UIL level.
Within striking distance, however, is a pair of teams with 11-2 district records in Lyford and Monte Alto.
They’ll both get their crack at North Mission (15-3, 13-0) as the Warriors are set to host Monte Alto (12-2, 11-2) on Feb. 2 before traveling to face Lyford (14-3, 11-2) on Feb. 5 in Lyford.