LA FERIA — Santa Maria, out of Class 2A, went into the second day of the C.E. Vail tournament as the team in the lowest classification that was left remaining in the gold bracket of the tournament.
The Cougars, from District 32-2A, could not pull off the win against District 31-5A’s Edinburg Vela. The Sabercats defeated the Cougars 58-38 on Friday at La Feria High School.
“We played well, other than, of course, turnovers,” Santa Maria head coach Johnny Cipriano said. “I keep preaching to them to maximize possessions, and every time you turn the ball over, you minimize possessions. We missed some easy shots that could have kept it closer than what it was.”
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| Edinburg Vela’s E.J. Avelar (10) tries to round the corner against Santa Maria’s PJ Alaniz (24) Friday at the C.E. Vail tournament at La Feria High School. Edward Severn |
Growing pains and Vela not being in the same district makes Cipriano not worried about the loss to the Class 5A school, he said. Santa Maria opened with a hard press that kept it in the game for the first quarter with the score 13-10, but in the second quarter Vela opened it up.
“Their full-court pressure, that is something we need to work on,” Edinburg Vela head coach Lucio Rodriguez said. “Also, their zone defense, we are going to see a lot of zone in our district, so it was good preparation for us.
The Sabercats outscored the Cougars 24-7 in the second quarter, often scoring points by breaking the press or working it down low.
| Edinburg Vela’s Samuel Sepulveda (1) pulls the ball away after Santa Maria’s PJ Alaniz (24) goes for a steal Friday at the C.E. Vail tournament at La Feria High School. Edward Severn |
The Cougars had a hard time stopping Edinburg Vela’s Axel Garza. The power forward finished with 27 points, and guard Sam Sepulveda chipped in with 13 points.
“I think we are improving as this tournament and the season goes on,” Rodriguez said. “I think we are making the strides we need to, going into district Tuesday.”
| Edinburg Vela’s Axel Garza (13) prepares for his next move against Santa Maria Friday in the C.E. Vail tournament at La Feria High School. Edward Severn |
Santa Maria’s Esiah Gracia led the team in scoring with eight points. Chris Ibarra and PJ Alaniz each had six points.
“Honestly, we just need to practice more,” Cipriano said. “We have not had too many days of practice. Football went to the playoffs, so I think we have practiced a total of 15 days and already had 12 games.”
| Santa Maria’s Juan Morales (2) prepares to make a move against Edinburg Vela Friday at C.E. Vail tournament in La Feria. Edward Severn |
Edinburg Vela defeated La Feria 57-53 to set up a match with Edinburg High at 11:30 a.m. Saturday at La Feria High School.