McAllen High and McAllen Memorial both put together playoff runs a season ago with a combined five postseason victories between the crosstown rivals.
They each lost key pieces due to graduation, and McAllen High saw its entire starting five either walk the stage or transfer to another school. Memorial lost its top three players but returned a few players with valuable experience.
Now, both the Bulldogs and Mustangs find themselves on the verge of another playoff run in 2023 as they prepare for their area-round games.
McAllen Memorial (27-6, 15-3) will take on Laredo Nixon (24-11, 13-1) at 7 p.m. Friday at Roma High School. McAllen High (19-17, 12-6) is set to face Corpus Christi Veterans (24-11, 8-1) at 8 p.m. Friday at Falfurrias High School.
Memorial senior post Rose Martinez is a three-year letterman who knows what it takes to win in the postseason — being locked-in.
“We have to be mentally strong because I know the ticky-tack stuff (fouls) that these guys keep asking for, they’re not going to call in the playoffs because everybody is twice as big and twice as fast. In the playoffs, we’re going to be playing the best of the best,” he said. “They’re in that playoff position for a reason, just like us. We have to keep going, not cry, be mentally tough, physically tough and give it everything we got — win or lose.”
The young Bulldogs squad began the year 2-11 overall but did a lot of growing up during the season under head coach Ryan Flores. McAllen High trailed early in the playoff race for the No. 4 seed, but the Bulldogs made up ground late and earned two head-to-head wins against McAllen Rowe. The Bulldogs and Warriors finished with 12-6 records in district, giving McHi the playoff berth on a tiebreaker.
It then stunned District 32-5A champion Harlingen South 43-41 in overtime Tuesday at McHi. The Bulldogs are as defensively sound as they come, which will be crucial to their success in the area round.
CLASS 6A
It was not the best night for Brownsville area teams. Most were eliminated, and it could have been all if not for District 32-6A’s Brownsville Hanna and Los Fresnos.
Los Fresnos beat Edinburg High 53-52 at home to set up a meeting with San Antonio Taft, the fourth-place team in District 29-5A. Brownsville Hanna’s reward for beating La Joya is San Antonio Brennan, District 29-5A’s champion.
Los Fresnos’ JJ Salazar, Gio Galvan and Luis Ramirez have been key all season for the Falcons. Sophomore Jude Barreda continues to grow, and senior Luis Guerra also has played well throughout the year.
San Benito, the District 32-6A champ, cruised by Edinburg Economedes 57-36 on Tuesday night. The Greyhounds also have their hands full when they face San Antonio Warren.
Edinburg North took care of business against Weslaco High with a 58-39 win at home. The District 31-6A tri-champion Cougars will be making their second area-round appearance in three seasons as they prepare for San Antonio Harlan.
CLASS 5A
District 32-5A would have been swept if not for a late comeback by Weslaco East. The Wildcats continued their impressive season by nearly shutting out Sharyland Pioneer during the fourth quarter. The Wildcats outscored the Diamondbacks 23-3 in the frame.
The Wildcats are set to face Corpus Christi Miller in the second round. The Buccaneers are 10-2 against the Valley. McAllen Memorial and Los Fresnos are the only two teams to beat the District 29-5A champions.
Edinburg Vela is on to the area round in its first year at the Class 5A level after a 54-47 win against Brownsville Pace on Tuesday. The SaberCats are slated to play Corpus Christi Flour Bluff next.
CLASS 4A
The La Feria Lions saved their district from being swept as well when they handled Corpus Christi Tuloso-Midway on Monday. Sinton is next for La Feria, the only team remaining from District 32-4A.
Port Isabel ended the season as the District 32-4A champ by losing a close one to Alice, 66-63. Zapata finished runner-up and lost to Corpus Christi Calallen. Grulla finished its season against Bishop after a fourth-place finish in district.
CLASS 3A
Progreso won its first playoff game since the late 1990s and will look to build on a big, history-making bi-district victory after the Red Ants rolled by Pharr Vanguard 77-53 on Tuesday.
When coach Raul Rivera took over the program four years ago, his goal was to turn things around. Progreso’s done precisely that with a number of seniors leading the way, including Vlady Rivera, the coach’s son. He’s averaging 18.6 points per game, Sergio Moreno is scoring 15.3 per game, and Isaiah Aleman adds 11.9 points.
The Red Ants are set to face Corpus Christi London in Round 2.
Edinburg IDEA Quest won its first district championship in 2023, and now they’ll look to win their first area-round playoff game in program history. The Trailblazers blew past Lyford 65-47 on Tuesday to draw Santa Gertrudis Academy next. Senior guard Jeffrey Nguyen also crossed the 1,000-point mark in the bi-district win.
Santa Rosa and Rio Hondo cruised by their District 31-3A opponents. The Warriors take on San Diego in Round 2, and Rio Hondo is set to face Aransas Pass today.
CLASS 1A and 2A
Santa Maria and San Perlita destroyed their first-round opponents as well. The Cougars take on Goldthwaite, the second-place team out of District 29-2A, in the area round. The Trojans meet District 29-1A champions Fayetteville in Round 2.
The Lower Valley had one team make a state tournament this season. Harlingen Marine Military Academy made it to the TCSAAL final four. Seniors Ken Jones and Frank Ratliff were awarded all-state honors.