FALFURRIAS — Santa Maria, the last Rio Grande Valley boys basketball team left standing in the UIL state playoffs, had its season come to an end in a 65-42 Region IV-2A quarterfinal loss to Port Aransas on Tuesday at Falfurrias High School.
The matchup between the two playoff teams pitted the No. 22 Cougars against the No. 15 Marlins, according to the latest Texas Association of Basketball Coaches Class 2A top 25 rankings.
Port Aransas came out flexing its muscle with a distinct size advantage and shooting from deep for a 13-4 lead after one.
Santa Maria responded with a furious second-quarter rally with 18 points. Cameron Wood sparked the cmeback with seven points during the second. Chris Ibarra helped slice the Port Aransas lead to 24-22 at the half after being fouled on a 3-point attempt and knocking down all three free throws.
It was all Marlins after the break, however. Port Aransas put together an 18-point third quarter and a 23-point fourth to bring an end to Santa Maria’s season.
Ibarra finished with a game-high 18 points and Wood chipped in with nine. Juan Morales, Matias Saldivar and Kiani Zamaniego all scored four points.
Port Aransas’ Kris Jones finished with 15 points and Jaden Harris had 14.
Port Aransas moves on to the Region IV-2A semifinal round this weekend in Buda.