By EDWARD SEVERN, Staff Writer
HARLINGEN – Tragedy struck the Harlingen High Cardinals boys basketball team in the fall when a key player, starting point guard Christopher Perales, was killed.
This season is for Christopher.
“It’s all for him. Everything we do, it’s all for him. That is our mindset,” junior point guard and co-captain Ryan Sanchez said.
Added senior small forward Johnathan Salinas, “The goal is for everyone to get better and, of course, win district for our boy Beaver (Perales). I know that is in everybody’s head right now. It is in my head all day everyday.”
When the players walk in the locker room they see a picture of Perales, his locker is retired and his jersey hangs in the gym.
“It is obviously a tough situation that nobody expects to happen,” coach Clayton Cretors said. “We are dedicating this season to Chris and his family, and we always keep them in our memory and in our minds. It has been very difficult but kids are resilient, and I think that basketball is their refuge and being out here on the court gives them peace.
“(Perales) was one of the hardest-working players I have ever seen. He was a leader of our team, and it is very tough to fill that void. We play in his memory, honor, and try and play as hard as we can for Chris,” he added.
The Cardinals finished tied for second in district last season and open their district season with the defending district champion Weslaco High Panthers on Friday at home.
The players understand the challenge and revel in the opportunity to play against the Panthers in their opening district game.
“It is a whole different year, nobody is the same from last year,” senior and co-captain Ian Solis said. “We are going to be stronger this year.”
Said Salinas, “Of course we feel pretty confident going into every game, but we know this district is tough, a lot of good teams. We just got to get wins, and I have to help make everyone better.”
The Cardinals have the recipe of success for any basketball team. Sanchez can shoot from anywhere, Salinas gets to the basket as good as anyone in the district, Solis is tough and can knock down a mid-range shot, Jayden Rendon has some sweet moves down low and they have a decent bench.
The Cardinals are ready for the Panthers on New Year’s Eve.