By MARIO AGUIRRE | STAFF WRITER
EDINBURG — For as long as he has played at Edinburg High, Andrew Cantu has always been a capable scorer.
Even on a senior-laden ballclub last year, Cantu, then a junior, was the Bobcats’ leader in points, field goals made and attempted, free throws made and attempted, and just about any statistical measure of offensive fluency. That he is carrying the team once again, as one of two returning starters, is of little surprise to anyone who has watched Cantu play the past couple of seasons.
But what’s been most impressive about his game now is the manner in which he is scoring: by driving to the basket, slashing and cutting and drawing enough contact to get to the free-throw line more frequently.
Once known as a spot-up shooter, Cantu has taken on the challenge of developing into a complete offensive weapon for Edinburg High, which has its sights set on another postseason berth.
“This is his club, his team, and I think he realizes that we’ll go as far as he takes us,” coach Zeke Cuellar said. “He’s doing it by putting the team on his back.”
Previously utilized as a catch-and-shoot guard, Cantu has added a different dimension to his game. Rather than wait for open looks, Cantu now scores off the dribble, and gets to the foul line about 8-10 times a game, where he shoots at an 86-percent clip.
Cantu is averaging a career-high 22.1 points— a bump from his 14.9 mark last year — and he’s doing it while shooting 48 percent. He’s taken nearly twice as many shots (215) as R.J. Rocha (116), second on the team attempts, and has improved in virtually every statistical category from a year ago, from rebounds (3.1) and assists (1.6) to steals (1.2) and blocked shots (0.1).
The added responsibilities are a result of the current makeup of the roster. Since graduating seven seniors, Edinburg High was left with only four returners, two of those starters. Where in past years he waited for the offense to come to him, Cantu now is being asked to play the role of distributor as freshman Matthew Cruz develops as a point guard.
“The transition is drastic because the load is on me, but I like it,” Cantu said. “Every year, it’s something more. More scoring, more defense, most assisting. But I feel like it’s coming naturally.”
Cantu spent the offseason working out on the track and in the weight room. Cuellar also devised offseason workouts in which he would go through a series of drills and exercises to help expand his offensive game, and it appears to be paying dividends.
As a four-year starter, Cantu is a known commodity among Valley hoops circles. Cuellar understands that. So in an effort to help him get open looks this season, especially considering the high volume of shots he’s taking now, Cuellar devised offensive sets that have helped Cantu get his shots coming off of two or three screens.
It’s helped ease his transition this year as the undisputed leader of the team, with a host of other players between Jesus Cantu (9.1 points per game), Rocha (8.9) and Antonie Woodard (8.1) trying to do their part for the team.
“He’s improved a lot,” Rocha said Andrew Cantu. “He’s attacking more often than last year. He’s driving more. It’s a big plus because we need drivers that can create for other people like that.
“You could just see from him it in the preseason, he was making big developments. Just the responsibility as being a leader of the team, it opened my eyes, like now I need to step my game to be up to his level.”