By EDWARD SEVERN, Staff Writer
HARLINGEN — The Harlingen High Lady Cardinals blew out the crosstown rival Harlingen South Lady Hawks 58-27 on Friday night.
The Lady Cards (15-9, 7-2) set up their zone defense at halfcourt to deny the Lady Hawks (20-13, 7-2) an ability to set up their halfcourt offense. They also double-teamed when South tried to dribble out of the zone.
The traps were effective in creating plenty of turnovers and fastbreak opportunities for the Lady Cards.
Avery Hinojosa was the biggest benefactor early, scoring multiple easy layups. Harlingen High jumped out to a 12-5 first-quarter lead. All of the Lady Hawks’ points came from guard Isabella Marez.
“We felt great, and we came out here and we gave it our best. We are waiting for Weslaco next game,” Hinojosa said. “Our press gets us everywhere, and we all played together tonight. It was amazing.”
Lady Cardinals guard Rosa Zapata got in on the action, crossing up her opponent and finishing to open the scoring in the second quarter. Hinojosa was feeling it, hitting a deep 3-pointer and following it up with a great drive to give Harlingen High a 21-7 lead.
The Lady Hawks adjusted to the Lady Cardinals’ defense and cut the lead to 21-10 after Jasmine Ortiz finished down low and converted her free throw.
Harlingen High went into the half up 21-12.
Ortiz continued her success in the paint to begin the third quarter, but Lady Cardinals guard Emery Scoggins answered with great shooting on offense and some defensive plays that led to fastbreak opportunities. Another Hinojosa 3-pointer gave Harlingen High a 35-18 lead.
“I got some defensive stops and that boosted my confidence a bit, and I started shooting making my shots,” Scoggins said. “We feel pretty confident. We need a lot more practice, but after this win we have a lot better chance of getting that district title.”
After Alexes Rocha’s 3-pointer cut the lead to 35-21, the Lady Cardinals opened it up again. Zapata, Hinojosa, Scoggins and Julie Bryant were all playing out of their minds as they went up 46-21 into the fourth quarter.
Hinojosa finished with 16 points, and Zapata scored 12.
The win sets up a huge game for the Lady Cardinals next week at Weslaco High. The Lady Hawks have a big game as well, at home against San Benito.