By EDWARD SEVERN, Staff Writer
HARLINGEN — The Harlingen High Lady Cardinals defeated the La Joya High Lady Coyotes 58-31 on Monday night, claiming a bi-district victory.
“We did really well,” Harlingen High coach Ashley Moncivaiz said. “I think we also kept our composure. Especially the way it got physical and aggressive, we tell them to play smart and we need to keep ourselves focused for each round.”
Lady Cards junior forward Juli Bryant scored six of her 13 points during the first quarter to give Harlingen High a cushion early.
“I could have done a lot more, but with the performance, I am proud of myself,” Bryant said.
Harlingen High pounced on the Lady Coyotes during the second quarter. Guards Emery Scoggins, Avery Hinojosa and Rosa Zapata were instrumental in giving the Lady Cards a 31-8 lead going into the halftime break.
“We did really good,” Bryant said. “I was expecting more of a really hot game, but once we pulled off that lead going into the half, I felt great about how we would end the game.”
La Joya High gained a little momentum going into the fourth. Forward Isabella Garcia finished at the rim and converted her free throw to cut the Harlingen High lead to 43-20.
“We have a lot of girls returning. We had two seniors contribute to get us here,” La Joya High coach Juan Gonzalez said. “Next year we do not want to be the fourth seed. We lost against a good Harlingen team. We do not want to build a good team … we want to build a good program.”
Hinojosa led the Lady Cards in scoring with 20 points. Scoggins had 12, and Zapata finished with 11.
“My team played great,” Zapata said. “I am proud of them, and hopefully we can make it past the second round. I can do better. Hopefully next game I pop off.”
Harlingen High will face either Laredo Alexander or Northside Stevens in the area round.
“I think both of those teams are great teams,” Moncivaiz said. I know they are going to play exceptionally well, so we need to be ready for what they bring. They are both competitive.”