BY JON R. LaFOLLETTE | STAFF WRITER

CORPUS CHRISTI — From non-district play to the postseason, Weslaco High looked to test itself against the speed of its opponent. Coach Tony Villarreal knew his team’s season would continue as long as it could handle the athleticism on the other side of the field.

During Friday’s area round game against Laredo United at Cabaniss Stadium, the Panthers appeared over matched from the get-go. The taller, faster, stronger Longhorns torpedoed their way up-and-down the field for much of the night, handing Weslaco a 48-14 loss.

The defeat ends a seven-game winning streak for the Panthers, who finished the season with a 9-3 overall record and won the District 31-6A championship for a second-straight season.

“That’s football,” Villarreal said. “It’s a 50-50 chance every time. You could win or you could lose. They’re a very good football team, and we didn’t help ourselves any. … I thought we had enough speed. I just don’t know if our schemes were better.”

Friday found Weslaco playing its worst level of football of the season. While the Panthers’ slot-T offense amassed a 400 yards per-game average, they were out-gained by United 433 yards to 253. Weslaco also lost three fumbles with two coming in the red zone when the game was still in reach.

“We changed the tempo up at that point,” Villarreal said. “We had them on their backs, we were doing what we needed to do. If we punch it in twice, it’s a tied game.”

Things appeared in Weslaco’s favor during the first quarter when United quarterback Ignazio Tellez went down with an injury to his lower left leg. He was assisted off the field and would not return.

Tellez is the focal point of the Longhorns offense, totaling 3,402 yards and 42 touchdowns before Friday. He was replaced by David Sanchez II, a wide receiver and son of United coach, David Sanchez.

Sanchez II was responsible for United’s first four touchdowns. The junior capped a seven-play drive with a 2-yard scoring run to put the Longhorns up 7-0 with 4:35 left in the first quarter. Though Weslaco answered with a 10-yard touchdown run from Jonathan Martinez to even the game after the first 12 minutes, the second quarter was all United.

The Longhorns (11-2) displayed their potent passing attack with three touchdowns through the air before halftime. Sanchez II found Daniel Ruiz twice in the quarter, the first coming from 23 yards and the next coming from 39. Sanchez II finished the first half with a 44-yard lob to Jorge Murillo to make it 27-7.

“A lot of those plays came on third and short or second and short,” Villarreal said. “You have to respect their running game, so we played a lot of man, and guys just got beat. They made good moves.”

CHANGING THE DEFENSE

Facing a three-score deficit, the Panthers changed their defensive scheme, adding an extra defender in the secondary and playing with five men in the box.

“That’s not what we want to do,” Weslaco defensive coordinator Ross Moore said. “It’s not your base defense, but we had to make some adjustments to try and slow them down and limit their passing game. We just got out-athleted. They came and ran their sets, and they were the better team.”

FINISHING FUMBLE

The game was effectively put out of reach during the third quarter when the Panthers fumbled on United’s 8-yard line. Defensive end Oliver Rodriguez scooped up the ball and returned it for the score to put Laredo up 34-7.

CHEAP SHOT

Late in the second quarter, Desi Rodriguez was hit in the head on a quarterback keeper. Rodriguez tried to get up under his own power, but needed assistance. Rodriguez returned for one play in the second quarter and played the entirety of the third before being sat in the fourth.

Villarreal says he thinks Rodriguez was deliberately targeted.

“The defender extended his arm as he left the turf and hit him right under the jaw,” he said.

[email protected]

Thursday’s Games
At Cathey Middle School
Game 1: McAllen Memorial 56, PSJA Memorial 28
Game 18: Brownsville Pace 50, Rio Hondo 38
Game 28: PSJA Memorial 55, Lyford 24
Game 32: Brownsville Rivera 52, Brownsville Porter 34
Game 41: McAllen Memorial 53, Valley View 33

At McAllen High Gym A
Game 13: McAllen High 63, Brownsville Lopez 26
Game 12: Cedar Park 60, Weslaco East 15
Game 10: San Diego def. Brownsville Porter
Game 25: Tuloso Midway 69, Edinburg IDEA Quest 17
Game 49: Arlington Sequin 59, Brownsville Pace 13
Game 47: McAllen High 63, Zapata 45
Game 24: San Antonio Churchill 67, Harlingen South 36
Game 42: Laredo United 71, Laredo Martin 57
Game 40: Rio Grande City 73, Edinburg IDEA Quest 20

At McAllen High Gym B
Game 19: Sharyland High 57, Edinburg North 26
Game 9: Mercedes 31, Brownsville Rivera 27
Game 14: Zapata 51, C.C. Miller 31
Game 26: Port Lavaca Calhoun 46, Rio Grande City 17
Game 34: Brownsville Lopez 52, C.C. Miller 45
Game 33: Weslaco East 45, La Feria 36
Game 20: San Antonio Clark 73, Donna High 18
Game 48: Laredo LBJ 52, La Joya Juarez-Lincoln 42
Game 39: Harlingen South 43, Edinburg Vela 31

At McAllen Memorial
Game 2: Valley View 55, Lyford 28
Game 17: Arlington Seguin 59, Los Fresnos 28
Game 4: Laredo United 70, PSJA Southwest 22
Game 45: Mercedes 34, San Diego 32

At McAllen Rowe
Game 16: La Joya Juarez-Lincoln 37, Sharyland Pioneer 22
Game 5: McAllen Rowe 58, Port Isabel 25
Game 21: C.C. Moody 70, Mission High 20
Game 31: Brownsville St. Joseph Academy 36, Raymondville 33
Game 51: Laredo Cigarroa 69, C.C. Moody 43
Game 43: McAllen Rowe 44, Alice 40
Game 46: Cedar Park 70, Brownsville Hanna 25
Game 35: Sharyland Pioneer 33, Hidalgo 27
Game 37: Edinburg North 34, Donna High 28
Game 50: San Antonio Clark 67, Sharyland High 28

At Travis Middle School Gym A
Game 8: Edinburg High 45, Brownsville St. Joseph Academy 35
Game 27: Harlingen High 65, La Joya Palmview 41
Game 15: Laredo LBJ 41, Hidalgo 22
Game 38: PSJA High 59, Mission High 19
Game 30: Edcouch-Elsa 41, Port Isabel 41
Game 52: Weslaco High 54, San Antonio Churchill 52

At Travis Middle School Gym B
Game 7: Mission Veterans 45, Raymondville 14
Game 6: Alice 56, Edcouch-Elsa 29
Game 3: Laredo Martin 61, San Benito 51
Game 36: Los Fresnos 56, Rio Hondo 39
Game 53: Port Lavaca Calhoun 37, Tuloso-Midway 22

At Morris Middle School
Game 11: Brownsville Hanna 52, La Feria 40
Game 22: Laredo Cigarroa 45, PSJA High 29
Game 23: Weslaco High 65, Edinburg Vela 28
Game 29: San Benito 57, PSJA Southwest 35
Game 44: Edinburg High 51, Mission Veterans Memorial 34

Friday’s Games
At Cathey Middle School
Game 64: Brownsville Pace vs. Sharyland High, 9:20 a.m.
Game 72: Winner Game 40 vs. Loser Game 27, 10:40 a.m.
Game 73: McAllen Memorial vs. Laredo United, noon
Game 89: Winner Game 59 vs. Edinburg IDEA Quest, 1:20 p.m.
Game 97: Winner Game 69 vs. Winner Game 70, 2:40 p.m.

At McAllen High Gym A
Game 54: Lyford vs. C.C. Miller, 8 a.m.
Game 63: Zapata vs. La Joya Juarez-Lincoln, 9:20 a.m.
Game 68: Brownsville Rivera vs. Welsaco East, 10:40 a.m.
Game 76: McAllen High vs. Laredo LBJ, noon
Game 87: Winner Game 54 vs. Winner Game 55, 1:20 p.m.
Game 93: Winner Game 62 vs. Winner Game 63, 2:40 p.m.
Game 80: Loser Game 68 vs. Loser Game 69, 4 p.m.
Game 82: Loser Game 75 vs. Loser Game 76, 5:20 p.m.
Game 99: Winner Game 74 vs. Winner Game 75, 6:40 p.m.
Game 100: Winner Game 76 vs. Winner Game 77, 8 p.m.

At McAllen High Gym B
Game 55: PSJA Southwest vs. Hidalgo, 8 a.m.
Game 62: San Diego vs. Brownsville Hanna, 9:20 a.m.
Game 69: Brownsville Lopez vs. Sharyland Pioneer, 10:40 a.m.
Game 75: Mercedes vs. Cedar Park, noon
Game 84: Loser Game 54 vs. Loser Game 55, 1:20 p.m.
Game 91: Loser Game 62 vs. Loser Game 63, 2:40 p.m.
Game 81: Loser Game 70 vs. Loser Game 71, 4 p.m.
Game 83: Loser Game 77 vs. Loser Game 78, 5:20 p.m.
Game 96: Winner Game 67 vs. Winner Game 68, 6:40 p.m.
Game 101: Winner Game 78 vs. Winner Game 79, 8 p.m.

At McAllen Rowe
Game 58: Brownsville Porter vs. Mission High, 8 a.m.
Game 65: C.C. Moody vs. San Antonio Churchill, 9:20 a.m.
Game 67: Edcouch-Elsa vs. Brownsville St. Joseph, 10:40 a.m.
Game 74: McAllen Rowe vs. Edinburg High, noon
Game 95: Winner Game 65 vs. Loser Game 53, 1:20 p.m.
Game 98: Winner Game 71 vs. Winner Game 72, 2:40 p.m.

At Morris Middle School
Game 57: Raymondville vs. Donna High, 8 a.m.
Game 61: Alice vs. Mission Veterans Memorial, 9:20 a.m.
Game 71: PSJA High vs. Harlingen South,10:40 a.m.
Game 78: Laredo Cigarroa vs. Weslaco High, noon
Game 86: Loser Game 58 vs. Loser Game 59, 1:20 p.m.
Game 93: Winner Game 60 vs. Winner Game 61, 2:40 p.m.

At Travis Middle School Gym A
Game 60: Valley View vs. Laredo Martin, 9:20 a.m.
Game 66: McAllen Memorial vs. San Benito,10:40 a.m.
Game 77: Arlington Seguin vs. San Antonio Clark, noon
Game 88: Winner Game 56 vs. Winner Game 47, 1:20 p.m.
Game 90: Loser Game 60 vs. Loser Game 61, 2:40 p.m.

At Travis Middle School Gym B
Game 56: Port Isabel vs. Rio Hondo, 8 a.m.
Game 59: La Feria vs. Edinburg Vela, 9:20 a.m.
Game 70: Los Fresnos vs. Edinburg North, 10:40 a.m.
Game 79: Port Lavacca Calhoun vs. Harlingen High, noon
Game 85: Loser Game 56 vs. Loser Game 57,1:20 p.m.
Game 92: Loser Game 64 vs. Loser Game 65, 2:40 p.m.

Saturday’s Games
At Cathey Middle School
Game 103: Winner Game 87 vs. Winner Game 88, 8 a.m.
Game 104: Winner Game 58 vs. Winner Game 89, 9:20 a.m.
Game 113: Loser Game 85 vs. Loser Game 87 10:40 a.m.
Game 131: Winner Game 103 vs. Winner Game 104, noon
Game 143: Winner Game 116 vs. Winner Game 117, 1:20 p.m.

At De Leon Middle School
Game 105: Winner Game 90 vs. Winner Game 91, 8 a.m.
Game 120: Loser Game 80 vs. Loser Game 81, 9:20 a.m.
Game 114: Loser Game 86 vs. Loser Game 88, 10:40 a.m.
Game 115: Loser Game 103 vs. Game 104, noon
Game 137: Loser Game 124 vs. Loser Game 125, 1:20 p.m.

At McAllen High Gym A
Game 118: Loser Game 73 vs. Loser Game 99, 8 a.m.
Game 106: Winner Game 93 vs. Winner Game 94, 9:20 a.m.
Game 108: Loser Game 90 vs. Loser Game 95, 10:40 a.m.
Game 128: Winner Game 73 vs. Winner Game 99, noon
Game 139: Winner Game 118 vs. Winner Game 119, 1:20 p.m.
Game 132: Winner Game 105 vs. Winner Game 92, 2:40 p.m.
Game 133: Winner Game 106 vs. Winner Game 107, 4 p.m.
Game 144: Consolation Gold: Winner Game 127 vs. Winner Game 126, 5:20 p.m.
Game 136: Third Place Game: Loser Game 128 vs. Loser Game 129, 6:40 p.m.
Game 145: Championship Gold: Winner Game 128 vs. Winner Game 129, 8 p.m.

At McAllen High Gym B
Game 119: Loser Game 100 vs. Loser Game 101, 8 a.m.
Game 107: Winner Game 64 vs. Winner Game 95, 9:20 a.m.
Game 109: Loser Game 91 vs. Loser Game 93, 10:40 a.m.
Game 129: Winner Game 100 vs. Winner Game 101, noon
Game 138: Loser Game 118 vs. Loser 119, 1:20 p.m.
Game 110: Loser Game 92 vs. Loser Game 94, 2:40 a.m.
Game 111: Loser Game 106 vs. Loser Game 107, 4 p.m.
Game 141: Loser Game 127 vs. Loser Game 126, 5:20 p.m.

At Morris Middle School
Game 102: Winner Game 84 vs. Winner Game 85, 8 a.m.
Game 123: Loser Game 82 vs. Loser Game 83, 9:20 a.m.
Game 112: Loser Game 84 vs. Loser Game 89, 10:40 a.m.
Game 127: Winner Game 66 vs. Winner Game 98, noon
Game 142: Loser Game 115 vs. Loser Game 117, 1:20 p.m.

At Travis Middle School Gym A
Game 116: Loser Game 66 vs. Loser Game 96, 8 a.m.
Game 124: Loser Game 74 vs. Winner Game 82, 9:20 a.m.
Game 121: Loser Game 67, vs. Winner Game 80, 10:40 a.m.
Game 126: Winner Game 97 vs. Winner Game 98, noon
Game 134: Winner Game 121 vs. Winner Game 122, 1:20 p.m.
Game 135: Winner Game 124 vs. Winner Game 125, 2:40 p.m.

At Travis Middle School Gym B
Game 117: Loser Game 97 vs. Loser Game 98, 8 a.m.
Game 125: Winner Game 83 vs. Loser Game 79, 9:20 a.m.
Game 122; Rio Grande City vs. La Joya Palmview, 10:40 a.m.
Game 130: Winner Game 102 vs. Winner Game 86, noon
Game 140: Loser Game 121 vs. Loser Game 122, 1:20 p.m.

Pool A: San Perlita, Donna IDEA, La Villa, Edcouch-Elsa JV, IDEA Pharr
Pool B: Donna North, Brownsville First Baptist, Brownsville IDEA Frontier, Lasara, San Isidro
Thursday’s Games
Gym 1
La Villa 28, San Perlita 20
Donna IDEA 24, Edcouch-Elsa JV 13
Donna North 66, San Isidro 17
San Perlita 35, Edcouch-Elsa JV 27
Gym 2
Donna North 40, Brownsville IDEA Frontier 18
San Isidro 29, Lasara 21
Brownsville First Baptist 52, Lasara 18
La Villa 42, IDEA Pharr 29
Brownsville First Baptist 47, Brownsville IDEA Frontier, 45
Donna IDEA vs. IDEA Pharr, not reported

Friday’s Games
Gym 1
San Isidro vs. Brownsville First Baptist, 11 a.m.
Brownsville IDEA Frontier vs. Lasara, 12:30 p.m.
Brownsville First Baptist vs. Donna North, 5 p.m.
IDEA Pharr vs. Edcouch-Elsa JV, 6:30 p.m.
Donna North vs. Lasara, 8 p.m.
Gym 2
Edcouch-Elsa JV vs. La Villa, 11 a.m.
San Perlita vs. IDEA Pharr, 12:30 p.m.
Donna IDEA vs. San Perlita, 5 p.m.
San Isidro vs. Brownsville IDEA Frontier, 6:30 p.m.
La Villa vs. Donna IDEA, 8 p.m.

By JON R. LaFOLLETTE | STAFF WRITER

McALLEN — Roy Gonzalez didn’t have to try too hard to convince Sydney Pemelton to return to the court for McAllen High. A brief conversation between coach and player was all that was needed.

“I didn’t know what to expect,” Gonzalez said. “But I called her in around the beginning of the season and told her how much the team needed her, and she didn’t need too long to think about it. It was her decision to make, though.”

Last year was a series of unfortunate circumstances for the Lady Bulldogs. Before the season, McHi’s roster was balanced, healthy and ready to compete for a district title. By the postseason, however, it was marred with injuries en route to a 15-19 record.

Senior post Savanna Weaver missed significant time with a knee injury and guard Stacy Solis suffered a torn ACL during a game against La Joya Palmview. Pemelton, a volleyball and track athlete, played just five games before leaving the team due to personal reasons.

“Suddenly I was giving a lot of minutes to players who otherwise wouldn’t get that kind of playing time,” Gonzalez said. “We went from an inside-outside team to a jump-shooting team. That was a big change for us.”

Gonzalez didn’t expect Pemelton to rejoin the team this year, but the junior post rediscovered the urge to play while watching the team from the stands during last week’s McAllen High round robin tournament.

She rejoined the team Monday and played during the team’s 55-37 win over PSJA High on Tuesday, scoring seven points and grabbing double-digit rebounds. Though just a few weeks removed from volleyball season, Pemelton paid her dues for time away from the court.

“I felt fine until the end,” she said. “Then I started feeling like I was dying. I was so exhausted.”
Though Pemelton has yet to start, Gonazlez says she will work her way into the starting five as she gets back into basketball shape. Once she’s up to speed, Pemelton will be one of the Lady Bulldogs’ key defensive pieces in a district known for its size.

“We’ve got a big girl to go against the other big girls we play against,” Gonzalez said. “McAllen Memorial has Ebony Johnson, McAllen Rowe has Mayda (Garcia). Any time a McAllen team plays each other, it’s going to be a tough, physical game.”

Pendleton admits scoring is the area of her game in need of the most work and that rebounding and defense are her strongest skills.

“There will be teams we play where they’ll be half her size,” Gonzalez said. “I tell the girls, ‘Let’s not be stupid, give Sydney the ball.’ They know that if the matchup is there, she has to be our go-to. But she’s such a presence inside, she can draw attention and allow some of our shooters to get open.”

jlafollette @themonitor.com

BY JON R. LaFOLLETTE | STAFF WRITER

Edcouch-Elsa senior distance runner Krysta Martinez signed her National Letter of Intent to compete for UTRGV on Wednesday at Edcouch-Elsa High School.

“I was very excited,” Martinez said. “This is something I’ve always wanted. I’ve always thought about running in college. I know it will be tougher competition, but I’m ready to work hard.”

Martinez has ranked among the Valley’s elite distance runners since her freshman year. She has competed at the state cross country meet three times, placing as high as 12th in 2013 with a time of 19 minutes, 4.7 seconds. Martinez has also competed in the state track and field meet, placing fifth in the girls 1600-meter run in 2014 with a time of 5:01.54.

The senior says she was recruited by other schools in Texas before choosing to sign with the Vaqueros.

“It’s nice because I get to stay close to home,” Martinez said. “And when I visited the campus and met some of the other runners, it felt like family. Everyone got along.”

Martinez will participate in cross country and track and field for UTRGV. She says she has yet to decide what she wants to study.

“She just has natural ability, and she works hard,” Edcouch-Elsa distance coach Juan Perez said. “She’s got a great support group, coaching staff and family behind her. It takes a group to help get someone to the Division I level.”

Martinez placed 17th at the state cross country meet in Round Rock in 20:01.70, and she will continue to run distance events in track and field to conclude her high school career.

“Now was just the right time for her to make the decision,” Perez said. “It was something she discussed with her parents, and she ultimately thought now was a good time to sign with UTRGV and have that pressure off of her. Running while trying to get attention from colleges can be stressful for a lot of kids. She doesn’t have to deal with that anymore.”

[email protected]

The Monitor sports reporters Greg Luca, Mario Aguirre and Jon R. LaFollette preview the area round for Valley football teams.

Click here to listen to the show in your browser.

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McAllen ISD Border Bash Girls Basketball Tournament
Nov. 19-21

Thursday’s Games

At Cathey Middle School

Game 1: McAllen Memorial vs. PSJA Memorial, 9:20 a.m.

Game 18: Rio Hondo vs. Brownsville Pace, 10:40 a.m.

Game 28: Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2, noon

Game 32: Loser Game 9 vs. Loser Game 10, 2:40 p.m.

Game 41: Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2, 1:20 p.m.

At McAllen High Gym A

Game 13: McAllen High vs. Brownsville Lopez, 8 a.m.

Game 12: Cedar Park vs. Weslaco East, 9:20 a.m.

Game 10: Brownsville Porter vs. San Diego, 10:40 a.m.

Game 25: Tuloso Midway vs. Edinburg IDEA Quest, noon

Game 49: Winner Game 17 vs. Winner Game 18, 1:20 p.m.

Game 47: Winner Game 13 vs. Winner Game 14, 2:40 p.m.

Game 24: San Antonio Churchill vs. Harlingen South, 4 p.m.

Game 42: Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 4, 5:20 p.m.

Game 40: Loser Game 25 vs. Loser Game 26, 6:40 p.m.

At McAllen High Gym B

Game 19: Edinburg North vs. Sharyland High, 8 a.m.

Game 9: Mercedes vs. Brownsville Rivera, 9:20 a.m.

Game 14: Corpus Christi Miller vs. Zapata, 10:40 a.m.

Game 26: Rio Grande City vs. Port Lavaca Calhoun, noon

Game 34: Loser Game 13 vs. Loser Game 14, 1:20 p.m.

Game 33: Loser Game 11 vs. Loser Game 12, 2:40 p.m.

Game 20: San Antonio Clark vs. Donna High, 4 p.m.

Game 48: Winner Game 15 vs. Winner Game 16, 5:20 p.m.

Game 39: Loser Game 23 vs. Loser Game 24: 6:40 p.m.

At McAllen Memorial

Game 2: Valley View vs. Lyford, 9:20 a.m.

Game 17: Arlington Seguin vs. Los Fresnos, 10:40 a.m.

Game 4: Laredo United vs. PSJA Southwest, noon

Game 45 Winner Game 9 vs. Winner Game 10, 1:20 p.m.

At McAllen Rowe

Game 16: La Joya Juarez-Lincoln vs. Sharyland Pioneer, 8 a.m.

Game 5: McAllen Rowe vs. Port Isabel, 9:20 a.m.

Game 21: Corpus Christi Moody vs. Mission High, 10:40 a.m.

Game 31: Loser Game 7 vs. Loser Game 8, noon

Game 51: Winner Game 21 vs. Winner Game 22, 1:20 p.m.

Game 43: Winner Game 5 vs. Winner Game 6, 2:40 p.m.

Game 46: Winner Game 11 vs. Winner Game 12, 4 p.m.

Game 25: Loser Game 15 vs. Loser Game 16, 5:20 p.m.

Game 37: Loser Game 19 vs. Loser Game 20, 6:40 p.m.

Game 50: Winner Game 19 vs. Winner Game 20, 8 p.m.

At Travis Middle School Gym A

Game 8: Brownsville St. Joseph Academy vs. Edinburg High, 9:20 a.m.

Game 27: La Joya Palmview vs. Harlingen High l0:40 a.m.

Game 15: Hidalgo vs. Laredo LBJ, noon

Game 38: Loser Game 21 vs. Loser Game 22, 1:20 p.m.

Game 30: Loser Game 5 vs. Loser Game 6, 2:40 p.m.

Game 52: Winner Gane 23 vs. Winner Game 24, 8 p.m.

At Travis Middle School Gym B

Game 7: Mission Veterans vs. Raymondville, 9:20 a.m.

Game 6: Edcouch-Elsa vs. Alice 10:40 a.m.

Game 3: San Benito vs. Laredo Martin, noon

Game 36: Loser Game 17 vs. Loser Game 18, 1:20 p.m.

Game 53: Winner Game 25 vs .Winner Game 26, 8 p.m.

At Morris Middle School

Game 11: Brownsville Hanna vs. La Feria, 9:20 a.m.

Game 22: PSJA High vs. Laredo Cigarroa, 10:40 a.m.

Game 23: Weslaco High vs. Edinburg Vela, noon

Game 29: Loser Game 3 vs. Loser Game 4, 2:40 p.m.

Game 44: Winner Game 7 vs. Winner Game 8, 1:20 p.m.

Friday’s Games

At Cathey Middle School

Game 64: Loser Game 49 vs. Loser Game 50, 9:20 a.m.

Game 72: Winner Game 40 vs. Loser Game 27, 10:40 a.m.

Game 73: Winner Game 41 vs. Winner Game 42, noon

Game 89: Winner Game 59 vs. Loser Game 40, 1:20 p.m.

Game 97: Winner Game 69 vs. Winner Game 70, 2:40 p.m.

At McAllen High Gym A

Game 54: Loser Game 28 vs. Loser Game 34, 8 a.m.

Game 63: Loser Game 47 vs. Loser Game 48, 9:20 a.m.

Game 68: Winner Game 32 vs. Winner Game 33, 10:40 a.m.

Game 76: Winner Game 47 vs. Winner Game 48, noon

Game 87: Winner Game 54 vs. Winner Game 55, 1:20 p.m.

Game 93: Winner Game 62 vs. Winner Game 63, 2:40 p.m.

Game 80: Loser Game 68 vs. Loser Game 69, 4 p.m.
Game 82: Loser Game 75 vs. Loser Game 76, 5:20 p.m.

Game 99: Winner Game 74 vs. Winner Game 75, 6:40 p.m.

Game 100: Winner Game 76 vs. Winner Game 77, 8 p.m.

At McAllen High Gym B

Game 55: Loser Game 29 vs. Loser Game 35, 8 a.m.

Game 62: Loser Game 45 vs. Loser Game 46, 9:20 a.m.

Game 69: Winner Game 34 vs. Winner Game 45, 10:40 a.m.

Game 75: Winner Game 45 vs. Winner Game 46, noon

Game 84: Loser Game 54 vs. Loser Game 55, 1:20 p.m.

Game 91: Loser Game 62 vs. Loser Game 63, 2:40 p.m.

Game 81: Loser Game 70 vs. Loser Game 71, 4 p.m.

Game 83: Loser Game 77 vs. Loser Game 78, 5:20 p.m.

Game 96: Winner Game 67 vs. Winner Game 68, 6:40 p.m.

Game 101: Winner Game 78 vs. Winner Game 79, 8 p.m.

At McAllen Rowe

Game 58: Loser Game 32 vs. Loser Game 38, 8 a.m.

Game 65: Loser Game 51 vs. Loser Game 52, 9:20 a.m.

Game 67: Winner Game 30 vs. Winner Game 31, 10:40 a.m.

Game 74: Winner Game 43 vs. Winner Game 44, noon

Game 95: Winner Game 65 vs. Loser Game 53, 1:20 p.m.

Game 98: Winner Game 71 vs. Winner Game 72, 2:40 p.m.

At Morris Middle School

Game 57: Loser Game 31 vs. Loser Game 37, 8 a.m.

Game 61: Loser Game 43 vs. Loser Game 44, 9:20 a.m.

Game 71: Winner Game 38 vs. Winner Game 39, 10:40 a.m.

Game 78: Winner Game 51 vs. Winner Game 52, noon

Game 86: Loser Game 58 vs. Loser Game 59, 1:20 p.m.

Game 93: Winner Game 60 vs. Winner Game 61, 2:40 p.m.

At Travis Middle School Gym A

Game 60: Loser Game 41 vs. Loser Game 42, 9:20 a.m.

Game 66: Winner Game 28 vs. Winner Game 29, 10:40 a.m.

Game 77: Winner Game 49 vs. Winner Game 50, noon

Game 88: Winner Game 56 vs. Winner Game 47, 1:20 p.m.

Game 90: Loser Game 60 vs. Loser Game 61, 2:40 p.m.

At Travis Middle School Gym B

Game 56: Loser Game 30 vs. Loser Game 36, 8 a.m.

Game 59: Loser Game 33 vs. Loser Game 39, 9:20 a.m.

Game 70: Winner Game 46 vs. Winner Game 37, 10:40 a.m.

Game 79: Winner Game 53 vs. Winner Game 27, noon

Game 85: Loser Game 56 vs. Loser Game 57, 1:20 p.m.

Game 92: Loser Game 64 vs. Loser Game 65, 2:40 p.m.

Saturday’s Games

At Cathey Middle School

Game 103: Winner Game 87 vs. Winner Game 88, 8 a.m.

Game 104: Winner Game 58 vs. Winner Game 89, 9:20 a.m.

Game 113: Loser Game 85 vs. Loser Game 87 10:40 a.m.

Game 131: Winner Game 103 vs. Winner Game 104, noon

Game 143: Winner Game 116 vs. Winner Game 117, 1:20 p.m.

At De Leon Middle School

Game 105: Winner Game 90 vs. Winner Game 91, 8 a.m.

Game 120: Loser Game 80 vs. Loser Game 81, 9:20 a.m.

Game 114: Loser Game 86 vs. Loser Game 88, 10:40 a.m.

Game 115: Loser Game 103 vs. Game 104, noon

Game 137: Loser Game 124 vs. Loser Game 125, 1:20 p.m.

At McAllen High Gym A

Game 118: Loser Game 73 vs. Loser Game 99, 8 a.m.

Game 106: Winner Game 93 vs. Winner Game 94, 9:20 a.m.

Game 108: Loser Game 90 vs. Loser Game 95, 10:40 a.m.

Game 128: Winner Game 73 vs. Winner Game 99, noon

Game 139: Winner Game 118 vs. Winner Game 119, 1:20 p.m.

Game 132: Winner Game 105 vs. Winner Game 92, 2:40 p.m.

Game 133: Winner Game 106 vs. Winner Game 107, 4 p.m.

Game 144: Consolation Gold: Winner Game 127 vs. Winner Game 126, 5:20 p.m.

Game 136: Third Place Game: Loser Game 128 vs. Loser Game 129, 6:40 p.m.

Game 145: Championship Gold: Winner Game 128 vs. Winner Game 129, 8 p.m.

At McAllen High Gym B

Game 119: Loser Game 100 vs. Loser Game 101, 8 a.m.

Game 107: Winner Game 64 vs. Winner Game 95, 9:20 a.m.

Game 109: Loser Game 91 vs. Loser Game 93, 10:40 a.m.

Game 129: Winner Game 100 vs. Winner Game 101, noon

Game 138: Loser Game 118 vs. Loser 119, 1:20 p.m.

Game 110: Loser Game 92 vs. Loser Game 94, 2:40 a.m.

Game 111: Loser Game 106 vs. Loser Game 107, 4 p.m.

Game 141: Loser Game 127 vs. Loser Game 126, 5:20 p.m.

At Morris Middle School

Game 102: Winner Game 84 vs. Winner Game 85, 8 a.m.

Game 123: Loser Game 82 vs. Loser Game 83, 9:20 a.m.

Game 112: Loser Game 84 vs. Loser Game 89, 10:40 a.m.

Game 127: Winner Game 66 vs. Winner Game 98, noon

Game 142: Loser Game 115 vs. Loser Game 117, 1:20 p.m.

At Travis Middle School Gym A

Game 116: Loser Game 66 vs. Loser Game 96, 8 a.m.

Game 124: Loser Game 74 vs. Winner Game 82, 9:20 a.m.

Game 121: Loser Game 67, vs. Winner Game 80, 10:40 a.m.

Game 126: Winner Game 97 vs. Winner Game 98, noon

Game 134: Winner Game 121 vs. Winner Game 122, 1:20 p.m.

Game 135: Winner Game 124 vs. Winner Game 125, 2:40 p.m.

At Travis Middle School Gym B

Game 117: Loser Game 97 vs. Loser Game 98, 8 a.m.

Game 125: Winner Game 83 vs. Loser Game 79, 9:20 a.m.

Game 122; Winner Game 81 vs. Loser Game 72, 10:40 a.m.

Game 130: Winner Game 102 vs. Winner Game 86, noon

Game 140: Loser Game 121 vs. Loser Game 122, 1:20 p.m.

San Perlita Girls Basketball Tournament
Nov. 19-21

Pool A: San Perlita, Donna IDEA, La Villa, Edcouch-Elsa JV, IDEA Pharr

Pool B: Donna North, Brownsville First Baptist, Brownville IDEA Frontier, Lasara, San Isidro

Thursday’s Games

Gym 1

La Villa vs. San Perlita, 10 a.m.

Edcouch-Elsa JV vs. Donna IDEA, 2:30 p.m.

San Isidro vs. Donna North, 5:30 p.m.

San Perlita vs. Edcouch-Elsa JV, 7 p.m.

Gym 2

Donna North vs. Brownsville IDEA Frontier, 10 a.m.

Lasara vs. San Isidro, 11:30 a.m.

Brownsville First Baptist vs. Lasara, 2:30 p.m.

La Villa vs. IDEA Pharr, 4 p.m.

Brownsville First Baptist vs. Brownsville IDEA Frontier, 5:30 p.m.

Donna IDEA vs. IDEA Pharr, 7 p.m.

Friday’s Games

Gym 1

San Isidro vs. Brownsville First Baptist, 11 a.m.

Brownsville IDEA Frontier vs. Lasara, 12:30 p.m.

Brownsville First Baptist vs. Donna North, 5 p.m.

IDEA Pharr vs. Edcouch-Elsa JV, 6:30 p.m.

Donna North vs. Lasara, 8 p.m.

Gym 2

Edcouch-Elsa JV vs. La Villa, 11 a.m.

San Perlita vs. IDEA Pharr, 12:30 p.m.

Donna IDEA vs. San Perlita, 5 p.m.

San Isidro vs. Brownsville IDEA Frontier, 6:30 p.m.

La Villa vs. Donna IDEA, 8 p.m.

Saturday’s Games

Gym 1

Seventh Place Game: Pool A No. 4 vs. Pool B No. 4, 11:30 a.m.

Fifth Place Game: Pool A No. 3 vs. Pool B No. 3, 1 p.m.

Third Place Game: Pool A No. 2 vs. Pool B No. 2, 2:30 p.m.

Championship Game: Pool 1 No. vs. Pool B No. 1, 7 p.m.

Gym 2

Ninth Place Game: Pool A No. 5 vs. Pool B No. 5, 11:30 a.m.

BY JON R. LaFOLLETTE | STAFF WRITER

McAllen Memorial has played just one game during the early part of the season — a 53-48 loss to Sharyland High. After an eight-day layoff, the Lady Mustangs return to the court today at the McAllen ISD Border Bash tournament, where they will play six games in three days.

As coach Clarisse Arredondo readies Memorial for the compact schedule, she’s also acclimating Draik Banks, Kaley Caldwell and Valeria Treviño to the roster after returning to the team from volleyball — a reason for the Lady Mustangs’ week off.

“Draik is doing well at practice,” Arredondo said. “She’s making post moves and working on her inside game. Kaley is getting a lot of shots up. She worked on that a lot this summer.”

Along with guard Victoria Izaguirre and post Ebony Johnson, Banks and Caldwell are two of Memorial’s four returning starters.

Arredondo says the Border Bash will be a time to give players as many minutes as possible. She hopes the weekend’s rigorous workload will get her team in shape and prepare it for a run at the District 30-6A title. One player Arredondo hopes to be a sparkplug is freshman guard Tani Talamantez.

“We’re always looking inside for our big girls to score, but we hope Tani can open up opportunities for some of our other guards to really shine,” Arredondo said. “Last year with Victoria, she spent a lot of time pushing the ball up the floor, and she didn’t always get a chance to score. This year with Tani, she could get more chances.”

GLOWING PERFORMANCE

Before Tuesday’s 60-51 win over Brownsville Hanna, Edcouch-Elsa coach Daniel Richardson received a look from junior point guard Janie Herrera.

“She was really focused before the game,” Richardson said. “During the national anthem, she looked at me and started smiling like, ‘Today is going to be a good time.’”

Whatever Herrera’s premonition was, it was proven prophetic by a 34-point performance in which she went 7-of-9 from behind the arc. Richardson said Herrera had license to shoot whenever Hanna allowed her the space.

“She’s been building her confidence up over the last couple of games,” Richardson said. “In our last two games, she’s scored 17 and 23 points.”

Richardson is in his first year as coach of the Lady Yellowjackets. After six games, the team is 3-3 and still working on finding their identity.

“We’re still trying to figure out the chemistry,” Richardson said. “We’ve been working on developing skills so much, that it took away from the X’s and O’s. We’re still implementing that and learning the little stuff, stuff like boxing out, pivoting. They’re starting to get it and know that there will be a lot more movement on the court.”

SOONER THAN EXPECTED

PSJA North guard Sarah Serrano scored 14 points during Tuesday’s 63-57 win over Brownsville St. Joseph Academy just three weeks after injuring a knee.

Serrano was due to have surgery and miss up to six weeks. After getting a second opinion, the senior guard was instead put on three weeks rest.

“The doctor re-did the X-rays and thought she was too young for the type of surgery she was going to have,” coach Randy Bocanegra said. “There was a torn piece of cartilage, but apparently it just healed itself.”

Though the Lady Raiders (8-0) saw Serrano return, they were without forward Belle Palacios, who sat with a stiff neck suffered during last week’s La Joya ISD tournament.

“We haven’t had our core play together yet,” Bocanegra said. “We haven’t had our three players. We’re taking 10 days off though, so the rest comes at a good time for us. We should have all of our players once we get back on the court.”

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BY JON R. LaFOLLETTE | STAFF WRITER

WESLACO — As Tony Villarreal prepares for another opportunity to extend Weslaco High’s season, he is faced with the same dilemma that has plagued him throughout the year. The catch is, there may not be a wrong answer.

“As a coach, it’s a wonderful problem to have,” Villarreal said. “I’ve got so many kids on the sideline, and only so many plays I can have them out there.”

The Panthers (9-2) are among the deepest teams in the Valley, and have utilized their depth en route to a seven-game winning streak heading into Friday’s area-round game against Laredo United at Cabaniss Stadium in Corpus Christi.

The bulk of Weslaco’s depth, however, rests in their corps of running backs, the most important position of the Panthers’ slot-T offense. During 10 regular season games, Weslaco gained 4,103 yards of offense, with all but 464 coming on the ground.

Though senior Brian Guerra leads the team with 1,090 rushing yards, numbers do not necessarily translate to talent, nor do they reflect abilities. Each of the Panthers’ backs possesses varying skills and is used according to the situation at hand.

“Coach has certain packages for each runner,” running backs coach Domingo Vento said. “Throughout the week each back works in their respective packages and gets them ready for their particular duties for game day.”

While Guerra gets the bulk of the yardage, senior Jonathan Martinez is the muscle, and leads the team in rushing touchdowns with 14. Usiel Gonzalez is the speed demon, and Major Free is the bruising downhill back. Those four combined for 3,051 yards and 34 touchdowns.

Entering preseason practices, Villarreal knew Guerra and Martinez would be contributors from the get-go. As juniors, the pair key members of last year’s district championship team. The biggest unknowns were Gonzalez, who missed his junior year to personal reasons, and Free, who had yet to find a defined role on the team.

“We knew he ran hard,” Villarreal said. “We used him last year as a jet guy. He would run from sideline to sideline because of his speed. He was very fast. But we really thought that if he could run downhill, and have a little bit of that vision, we knew defenses were going to collapse. Every time he goes into the line, defenses have to collapse and that creates space for everyone else on the field.”

Though Free began the season as a project player, he has flourished in the Panthers’ last two games. During wins over Weslaco East and Los Fresnos, Free has combined for 184 yards and three touchdowns on 23 carries.

“He’s the best downhill runner I’ve ever seen,” Guerra said. “He’s just so big and so strong. It’s tough for teams to tackle him.”

Though each rusher plays his role, perhaps no Panther back is as multifaceted as Martinez. Vento lauds Martinez’s vision, speed, hands and blocking abilities before mentioning his strength — Martinez’s greatest asset.

Though he’s listed as a fullback, Martinez does not fit the perception of the position. He’s neither stocky nor slow-footed and lumbering. He is, however, muscular in the right places.

“His legs are so strong,” Villarreal said. “His thighs, knees and calves are like tree trunks. And he’s so hard to bring down because his center of gravity is so low, especially in the end zone. Once he smells the end zone, you’re not going to stop him.”

But while the Panthers’ top four rushers have enjoyed their own measures of success, they are never allowed the luxury of growing complacent. If they don’t produce, there is a bevy of other backs waiting on the sideline and eager to prove their worth. Excluding quarterback Desi Rodriguez, nine Panthers have taken turns carrying the ball.

“They’ve got a quota to meet,” Vento said. “They know that if they don’t get six yards a carry, they’re fired for a quarter. I tell them, ‘Go hang your head and pout on the other side of the sideline.’ We don’t have time for it because there’s too many kids on this team waiting to get their turn.”

Meeting the team’s per-carry goal proved even more difficult during district, where Weslaco outscored opponents by an average margin of 33 points and starters often sat much of the second half.

“We’re all teammates at the end of the day,” Guerra said. “We all push each other in our own ways. But, at the end of the day, our goal is to win by any means possible. It doesn’t matter how many yards any of us get. Getting the win is everything.”

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BY JON R. LaFOLLETTE | STAFF WRITER

ALAMO — With district play still one month away, Jacklynn Flores knew Tuesday’s game carried little weight regarding long term consequences.

Still, the Mercedes junior guard felt apprehensive during the trip to PSJA Memorial High School, where the Lady Tigers faced the Lady Wolverines.

“It was a feeling that was team-wide,” Flores said. “We all wanted to come in really strong. We wanted to bring that ‘W’ home.”

The inspiration for Mercedes’ early season jitters sat on the opposing bench, in Memorial coach Marisa Guiterrez. Gutierrez was the previous girls basketball coach for the Lady Tigers before making the move to Alamo during the summer.

If nerves affected Mercedes, it rarely showed during its 31-17 win over the Lady Wolverines. The Lady Tigers (4-3) never trailed and employed a balanced offensive approach reliant on quickness.

“We have a lot of plays where we’re always moving,” Flores said. “Even though we don’t have size, we still find our ways. We create these little gaps in the defense, and we take them and score.”

Flores finished with six points. Mercedes was led in scoring by Emily Ramirez with eight. Five players scored for the Lady Tigers. Though no one developed a hot hand, each chipped in buckets as they were asked.

“I have a feeling that’s what it’s going to be like this season,” Mercedes coach Monica Meza said. “We’re going to have to get points here and there, and everyone is going to have to bring it every single game.”

The Lady Tigers opened up a 9-1 lead during the first quarter. Though Mercedes lost two posts in Summer Vento and Mere Guevara to graduation, they achieved defensive stops by forcing turnovers.

“We focus our defense at the top of the key around the guards,” Ramirez said. “We know we’re small, but we can get it done.”

Memorial’s Violet Torres and Monique De Leon were the focus of Mercedes’ attention for much of the night. The sophomore guards struggled shooting from the field and combined for just seven points. With their offensive firepower stalled, the Lady Wolverines (4-4) made only six field goals and also missed 15 of 17 free throws.

“We’re still young and we’re trying to find our way,” Gutierrez said. “The biggest thing for us right now is consistency. We missed a lot of easy looks at the basket … But we want our kids to keep shooting.”

The Lady Wolverines started four sophomores, with junior Alex Soto being the only upperclassmen.

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BROWNSVILLE VETERANS MEMORIAL 48, WESLACO EAST 37

Brownsville Veterans 12 13 7 16 — 48

Weslaco East 6 15 10 6 — 37

BROWNSVILLE VETERANS (48) — Not reported

WESLACO EAST 37 (60) — Chylee LeFevre 13, Yaritza Marin 6, Gabriella Kertley 6, Valerie Marquez 5, Giselle Reyes 3, Laruen Marquez 2, Cynthia Treviño 2.

RECORDS: Brownsville Veterans Memorial 7-1; Weslaco East 5-3

EDCOUCH-ELSA 60, BROWNSVILLE HANNA 51

Brownsville Hanna 10 11 8 22 — 51

Edcouch-Elsa 15 17 13 15 — 60

BROWNSVILLE HANNA (51) — C. Moreno 5, D. Reyes 13, H. Penrod 3, S. Salinas 4 M. Baz 18, J de la Rosa 2, R. Ocampo 2, C. Chavez 4.

EDCOUCH-ELSA (60) — Jocelynn Palomin 9, Myra Delgado 2, Alinah Rodriguez 2, Charlene Flores 9, Jamie Herrera 34.

RECORDS: Edcouch-Elsa 3-3; Brownsville Hanna 4-4

EDINBURG NORTH 52, DONNA HIGH 44

Donna High 12 5 10 17 — 44

Edinburg North 15 12 12 13 — 52

Donna High (44) — Celeste Matta 8, Aileen Garza 8

Edinburg North (52) — Jayla Clarissa Lopez 14

RECORDS: Donna High 2-6, Edinburg North 3-3

EDINBURG HIGH 60, LAREOD LBJ 31

Laredo LBJ 8 10 8 5 — 31

Edinburg High 18 20 11 11 — 60

Laredo LBJ (31) — Jackie Balderama 16, Abby DeLeon 4, Michelle Guerra 2, Illiana Vasquez 2, Priscilla Pacho 2, Paola Cruz 2, Deyanira Martinez 3

Edinburg HIgh (60) — Jayla Santa Maria 23, Mercedes Hernandez 16, Jennifer Galvan 10, Emily Acosta 7, Reyna Del Castillo 4

RECORDS: Laredo LBJ, not reported; Edinburg High 6-2

McALLEN HIGH 55, PSJA HIGH 37

PSJA High 6 4 16 11 — 37

McAllen High 22 13 8 12 — 55

PSJA High (37)— Erin Castaneda 12, Sara Jo Hernandez 9, Mariah West 5, Bekah Treviño 4, Elisa Garcia 3, Taylor Calderon 2, Jackie Cano 2

McAllen High (55) — Brianna Coffee 22, Sabrian Guzman 7, Sydney Pemelton 7, Heaven Wilbanks 7, Sandra Murillo 5, Celeste Sanez 4, Lesley Rodriguez 2, Jarizza Villarreal 1.

RECORDS: PSJA High 0-6; McAllen High 3-4

MERCEDES 31, PSJA MEMORIAL 17

Mercedes 9 8 8 6 — 39

PSJA Memorial 1 6 2 8 — 78

Mercedes (31) — Emily Ramirez 8, Kysha Salvidar 7, Victoria Anciso 6, Jacklynn Flores 6, Kayana Garza, 4

PSJA Memorial (17) — Violet Torres 4, Kristi Gomez 4, Monique De Leon, 3, Alex Soto 2, Alyssa Gonzalez 2, Debbie Martinez 2

RECORDS: Mercedes 4-3; PSJA Memorial 4-4

PSJA NORTH 63, BROWNSVILLE ST. JOSEPH 57

St. Joseph Academy 15 12 6 24 — 57
PSJA North 12 17 18 16 — 63

Brownsville St. Joseph (57) — Valeria Tapia 21, Diana Garcia 15, Lauren Salazar 6

PSJA NOrth (63) — Arianna Medrano 26, Sarah Serrano 14

RECORDS: Brownsville St. Joseph, not reported; PSJA North 8-0

RIO GRANDE CITY 67, ZAPATA 38

Zapata 8 11 8 11 — 38

Rio Grande City 12 24 17 14 — 67

Zapata (38) — Not reported

Rio Grande CIty(67) — Josie Amaya 30, Adriana Cruz 13, Roxy Morales 7, Jackie Garcia 6

RECORDS: Zapata 0-1; Rio Grande City 5-1

SHARYLAND HIGH 67, EDINBURG IDEA QUEST 26

Edinburg IDEA Quest 6 10 4 6 — 26

Sharyland High 12 16 13 26 — 67

Edinburg IDEA Quest (26) — Alyssa Cuellar 2, Esmer Rodriguez 2, Joscelyne Varas 8, Carolina Cantu 8, Abigail Gonzalez 5, Marbella Nunez 3, Tanya Reyna 2

Sharyland High (67) — Sonia Treviño 14, Maddie Garza 17, Anna Marshall 22

RECORDS: Edinburg IDEA Quest 1-2; Sharyland High 7-1