By EDWARD SEVERN, Staff Writer
PORT ISABEL — The Port Isabel Tarpons defeated the Raymondville Bearkats 72-61 in a District 32-4A meeting Friday night.
The Tarpons (13-10, 8-1) leveled the standings at the top of the district with the Bearkats (23-6, 8-1). Only one game remains in district play.
“It was a great game,” Tarpons coach Gilbert Rodriguez said. “We have been waiting for this rematch. The first game was a tough game, and we fell short. This game was a battle, and we had to play well to finish off the win.”
Port Isabel came out firing early. Seniors Gilbert Medina and Danny Zamarron both hit from beyond the arc, and Medina converted free throws to give the Tarpons a 16-4 lead.
Raymondville responded before the end of the quarter and cut the Tarpons’ lead to 17-16 when forward Diego Gutierrez hit a mid-range buzzer-beater.
During the second quarter, the Bearkats and Tarpons traded baskets. Raymondville seniors Jayden Garza and Jayson Cantu often found space and drained open looks.
Port Isabel senior Kaiden Martinez banked a 3-pointer to beat the halftime buzzer and level the game at 31.
The Bearkats came out of the half with a 3-pointer by Garza and senior Ethan Tagle finished an easy layup in transition, giving Raymondville a quick 36-31 lead.
The Tarpons responded with Zamarron and Martinez to take it back, going up 39-36.
With a six-point advantage and the clock winding down to end the third quarter Martinez stole an inbounds pass and buried a 3-pointer.
“At practice we try those shots every day, just messing around, so it is not a tough shot because we take them all the time,” Martinez said.
On the next inbounds pass, Medina intercepted and hit a floater to send the Tarpons into the fourth quarter up 51-40.
“Like Kaiden said, we try stuff like that at practice every day,” Medina said. “It was a big win for us. This time we came out with fire in us and practiced hard all week.”
Port Isabel then held off Raymondville during the fourth quarter.
“It was a good team win, and on to the next one,” Zamarron said.
Medina and Zamarron led the Tarpons in scoring with 24 points. Martinez finished with 16.