VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL SCHEDULE

Saturday, Dec. 16

TOURNAMENTS

Tri City Classic

Saturday’s Games

Platinum Bracket

Championship Game

At PSJA North

Edinburg High 50, Laredo United South 48

Third-Place Game

At PSJA North

Weslaco High 58, Brownsville Hanna 37

Fifth-Place Game

At PSJA North

Laredo Alexander 75, Harlingen High 74

Semifinals

At PSJA North

Edinburg High 59, Brownsville Hanna 41

Laredo United South def. Weslaco High

Fifth-Place Semifinals

At PSJA Memorial

Laredo Alexander def. Edcouch-Elsa

Harlingen High 78, McAllen Memorial 45

Platinum Consolation Bracket

Championship Game

At PSJA Memorial

SA Antonian 77, Harlingen South 75

Semifinals

At PSJA Southwest

Harlinegn South 51, Brownsville Veterans 37

SA Antonian 70, PSJA Memorial 45

Gold Bracket

Championship Game

At PSJA North

PSJA High def. Hidalgo

Third-Place Game

At PSJA Southwest

Weslaco East def. Santa Maria

Gold Consolation Bracket

Championship Game

At PSJA North

SA Veterans def. PSJA Southwest

Third-Place Game

At PSJA Southwest

Donna North def. La Feria

All-Torunament Team

MVP — Antoine Woodard, Edinburg High

Jesus Cantu, Edinburg High

City of Palms Tournament

Saturay’s Games

Championship Game

At McAllen Rowe, main gym

Edinburg North 70, Brwonsville Pace 54

Third-Place Game

At McAllen Rowe, main gym

Los Fresnos 59, McAllen High 53

Semifinals

At McAllen Rowe, main gym

Brownsville Pace 79, Los Fresnos 72

Edinburg North 46, McAllen High 44

All-Torunament Team

MVP — Andrew Nuñez, Edinburg North

Ben Vela, Edinburg North

Izaiah Rangel, Edinburg North

Josias Vasquez, Edinburg North

Julio Ortega, Brownsville Pace

Rnady Aguilar, Brownsville Pace

Andrew Carrizalez, Los Fresnos

Matthew Ibarra, McAllen High

Nathaniel Garcia, San Benito

Angel Salinas, Edinburg Economedes

Patricio Leal, Nuevo Leon

Non-District

Brownsville Lopez at Rio Hondo, not reported

BY SAUL BERRIOS-THOMAS | THE MONITOR

PHARR — Coming into the final game of the Tri-City Classic with his team down a man, Edinburg High junior forward Antoine Woodard knew he would have to have a big game.

“Not just me, as a player, by myself, but everybody on the team had to step up because Marc (Figueroa) was out,” Woodard said. “Especially Jorge Hernandez, he had to do what he does as a sixth man, but also step up at a time like this when we have a player out. He did what we needed him to do and came in to play good defense.”

Woodard scored 11 points by halftime and finished with 17 to lead his team to a tournament championship with a 50-48 win over Laredo United South. Woodard was named All-Tournament MVP.

“We had seen them in pool play, Thursday,” Edinburg coach Esequiel Cuellar said. “We won by 16. But, coming into this ball game, I knew it was going to be a little tougher. It’s tough to play a team twice in three days and expect some of the same stuff we did early in the first game to work. I told them, ‘It’s going to be tough. It gets tougher.’ I think going into the locker room, we knew we could have done better. We were very doubtful on offense in the first half. I think we got a little relaxed in the second half, and we looked for each other in the second half. That made the game a little easier for us.”

When the two teams faced off in pool play, Edinburg also took that matchup 78-67. That first look really helped senior center Jesus Cantu, who was tasked with guarding the much taller Joel Johnson of Laredo United South.

“Yeah, I had seen the looks they were going to give us,” Cantu said. “When we played them earlier, it helped us familiarize ourselves with them, and what they usually run.”

Johnson went off early, scoring the Panthers’ first seven points. But after he was subbed out, he never really found his rhythm again.

“We just switched our big guys, Antoine and Jesus,” Cuellar said. “We had to go to that look, because Antoine had gotten into foul trouble. We couldn’t leave him with the same guy. The other guy was being more aggressive, so we switched that and put Jesus on him.”

Once Cantu started guarding Sergio Vela, defending became more simplified for the frontcourt duo for Edinburg.

“(Johnson) is a good player,” Woodard said. “Jesus and I play on an AAU team. We travel, and we go play against really tough competition in Houston, San Antonio and Las Vegas. So, this was a challenge, but not the biggest challenge, so we just had to do what we do.”

Woodard and Cantu, an All-Tournament Team selection, both came into the game fired up.

“Jesus had a heck of a tournament,” Cuellar said. “He easily could have been the MVP, if it weren’t for Antoine’s play. Him and Antoine compliment each other very well. He does so much for us around the paint. He is a great guy on and off the floor. He is very unselfish player. That’s what Jesus brings to our game on top of hitting those midrange shots and being a great defender. He is a great rim protector and does it all for us.”

Cantu scored 14 points, including the first four for Edinburg to get the team rolling.

“It’s great to have started the game off on a run instead of the other way around,” Cantu said. “Yesterday, we started one of the games off on a 15-0 run, and that just led us throughout the whole game.”

Figueroa, a junior guard, sat out the tournament final due to the flu. In his stead, Hernandez, a plucky sophomore, was called on to start. Hernandez totaled six points, but his efforts went far beyond the box score.

“Jorge hadn’t played much,” Cuellar said. “Jorge did a tremendous job for us. It doesn’t show in the stats, but his defensive presence, his pressure on ball against the better players on the opposite teams, he did a tremendous job. He got it done, and we are very proud of him on that.”

Woodard was the star, though. When his team needed a basket, he found a way. He also did his part on defense, coming up with steals and helping to limit Johnson.

The Tri-City Classic marked the second tournament win for the Bobcats. On Dec. 3, they won the Craig Smith Classic. Now, the Bobcats head into the holiday season with two trophies.

“We are feeling really confident,” Woodard said. “Coming into district play, we just have to keep doing what we have been doing and just keep it going.”

“It feels pretty good,” Cantu added. “It helps us, especially as we head into district. It helps that we are rolling now.”

Edinburg doesn’t use very many players off the bench. During the championship game on Saturday, Cuellar sat Woodard for four minutes due to foul trouble, and got the young Hernandez about a minute on the bench during the fourth quarter. Other than that, the starters played the entire of the game. So after anther long weekend featuring six games in three days, the Bobcats were focused on some much needed rest and recovery.

“It’s pretty exhausting playing six games in three days,” Cantu said. “I’m definitely going to take an ice bath when we get back to school. But it will feel just a little bit better with this win.”

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BY SAUL BERRIOS-THOMAS | THE MONITOR

MISSION — From sleeping in the bleachers during tournaments to hitting game-winning free throws, Elijah De La Garza has grown up as a coach’s son, and he got a special payoff on Friday night.

De La Garza scored the winning points as his father, Mission Veterans coach Romeo De La Garza, picked up his 400th career win, beating the Sharyland Pioneer Diamondbacks 47-42 in overtime on Friday at Mission Veterans High School.

Romeo De La Garza has been at Mission Veterans since the school opened in 2002, and his parents were in the stands Friday to watch his milestone victory.

“It felt good to have my boys step up the way they did and have my son redeem himself,” Romeo De La Garza said. “He hit those two big free throws. I’m just happy. It’s taken a lot of hard work. We have a great group of kids, a young group of kids, and I am very proud of them.”

Romeo’s son, freshman guard Elijah De La Garza, came up big in the overtime to lead his team to the win. Elijah finished the game with 18 points, going 8 of 12 from the free throw line. But he was 1 for his last 4 attempts coming into overtime.

“I’m tough on him, but he is even harder on himself,” Romeo De La Garza said. “To see him struggle, it is heartbreaking, because of all the time he puts in. All the work, all the sacrifices, missing birthday parties, missing family get-togethers, just to put work in the gym. But there was no doubt in my mind that he was going to step up when he got the opportunity. And he did.”

For Elijah, being a part of the special night for his father came with plenty of emotion.

“It felt amazing,” Elijah De La Garza said. “That’s honestly awesome. I’ve been to just about every game he has coached, and to get his 400th win with me on the team is amazing.”

The win wasn’t as easy to come by as it should have been. The Patriots charged out to a 14-2 lead and led 14-6 at halftime. Pioneer would not go away, and a strong third quarter allowed the Diamondbacks to pull within seven to start the fourth quarter.

“(The Diamondbacks) are a young team,” Romeo De La Garza said. “Coach Gonzalez does a really good job with them over there. I knew. I knew they would come back. What made the situation more difficult for us was we knew they would make their push, but if we weren’t in the foul trouble we were in, we would have been able to maintain it. We made some mental mistakes that we usually don’t make, but we found a way, when we had to, to get it done.”

Elijah De La Garza combined with a strong effort from junior guard Noe Cantu to seal the deal down the stretch. Cantu finished with 14 points.

“Noe is a great point guard,” Elijah De La Garza said. “He can score. He can shoot. He can distribute the ball to his teammates. He’s just a great point guard.”

Pioneer jumped out to a lead in the first two minutes of overtime. With 1:21 left in the period, Elijah De La Garza stepped to the line in the midst of a cool spell, but he shook it off and knocked down both shots.

“I felt composed on those shots,” Elijah De La Garza said. “I take one dribble and a spin before each free throw. That routine helps a lot. I definitely made a difference on those last couple shots.”

On the ensuing possession, Vets came away with a steal, and Cantu found senior forward Josh Acosta open running to the net. Acosta scored his first and only two points of the night to extend the Patriots’ lead. Perfect trips to the foul line for Elijah De La Garza and Cantu sealed the win for Mission Veterans.

“As a freshman, that was good to see from him,” Cantu said of Elijah De La Garza’s effort. “That is a very difficult moment to have to shoot those free throws. He knocked them down, and then I knocked them down, so that was good.”

Sophomore center Lavar Lindo had a team-high 12 points for Sharyland Pioneer. Sophomore Luke Padilla added nine, and freshman Eddie Marburger scored six.

Elijah and Romeo De La Garza have spent countless hours on courts all over the Valley. Romeo coached Elijah from the time he began playing basketball.

“He always had a ball in his hands,” Romeo said. “I just pushed him to be the best player he could be.”

Elijah also cherished the time they spent together.

“It was awesome,” Elijah said. “I was extremely excited for him to get his 400th win, because we have a special relationship. We go everywhere together — camps, tournaments, things like that.”

Romeo fought back tears after the game as he talked about his son with billowing pride.

“I usually don’t keep track of things like this, but it’s a tribute to the kids I have had in this program,” Romeo said. “All the hard work those guys put in. We have won a lot of big games here with our program. I am just thankful to the good lord for the opportunity to coach kids and not only prepare them for basketball but prepare them for life.”

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VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL SCHEDULE

Friday, Dec. 15

Non-District

Raymondville 65. Lasara 47

Progreso at Agua Dulce, not reported

Monte Alto at Juan Diego Academy, not reported

Premont at San Isidro, not reported

District 31-5A

Mission Veterans 47, Sharyland Pioneer 42, OT

Laredo Martin 95, Valley View 47

Laredo Cigarroa 66, Rio Grande City 61

Roma 72, Sharyland High 64

Saturday, Dec. 16

Non-District

Brownsville Lopez at Rio Hondo, 12:30 p.m.

TOURNAMENTS

Tri City Classic

Thursday’s Games

Pool Play

At PSJA North

Brownsville Hanna 63, PSJA North 62

At PSJA Memorial

Weslaco High 54, PSJA Memorial 32

Edcouch-Elsa 57, La Joya Juarez-Lincoln 52

City of Palms Tournament

Friday’s Games

McAllen High 51, Edinburg Economedes 38

Los Fresnos 76, San Benito 22

Edinburg North def. McAllen Rowe

Brownsville Pace 58, Mercedes 43

San Benito 50, Mercedes 36

Saturay’s Games

Semifinals

At McAllen Rowe, main gym

Brownsville Pace vs. Los Fresnos, 9 a.m.

McAllen High vs. Edinburg North, 10:30 a.m.

VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL BOYS BASKETBALL BOX SCORES

Friday’s Game

District 31-5A

ROMA 72, SHARYLAND HIGH 64

Roma 16 17 22 17 — 72

Sharyland High 9 17 21 17 — 64

ROMA (72):Armando Rodriguez 5, Giberto Garcia 23, Dario Gonzalez 3, Leonardo Alaniz 17, Jesus Ramirez 3, Cesar Contreras 11, Noe Garza 7, Tony Mejorado 3.

SHARYLAND HIGH (64): Neto Robinson 13, Brandon McCormick 7, Johnny Escamilla 13, Andres Abrego 5, David Vela 2, Mauro Fernandez 22.

LAREDO CIGARROA 66, RIO GRANDE CITY 61

Laredo Cigarroa 10 14 22 20 — 66

Rio Grande City 13 18 11 19 — 61

LAREDO CIGARROA (66): Barry Callahan 3, Miguel Gallegos 21, Jesus Meza 5, Edgar Fraga 19, Jorge Salazar 18.

RIO GRANDE CITY (61): Rodrigo Nuñez 13, Aaron Marroquin 11, Jaime Covarrubias 3, Frank Gonzalez 15, Mario Gonzalez 12, Izrael Lambert 7.

Non-District

RAYMONDVILLE 65, LASARA 47

Lasara 7 19 11 10 — 47

Raymondville 17 16 18 14 — 65

RAYMONDVILLE (65): Jaden Tagle 2, Jacob Posas 10, Aaron Castillo 14, Xavier Ledesma 8, Anthony Najera 2. Eliseo Cerda 9, Daniel Gutierrez 13, Aaron Villalobos 3, Rudy Ambriz 4.

LASARA (47): A. Vasquez 7, J. Garcia 21, L. Alvarado 2, R. Gonzalez 5, J. Carrera 3, M. Cartagena 9.

VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL SCHEDULE

TOURNAMENTS

Tri City Classic

Thursday’s Games

Pool Play

At PSJA North

La Joya High 46, PSJA Southwest 38

Harlingen High 94, PSJA High 37

PSJA North 65, La Feria 35

Harlingen South 45, San Antonio Veterans 38

San Antonio Antonian 96, Weslaco East 34

La Joya Juarez-Lincoln 61, Harlingen South 43

PSJA North 75, New Way Christian 65

Weslaco High 75, La Joya High 59

Harlingen High 66, Edcouch-Elsa 40

At PSJA Memorial

PSJA Memorial 46, Hidalgo 33

Brownsville Veterans 65, Weslaco East 53

Edinburg High 78, Laredo United South 67

Laredo Alexander 65, Brownsville Hanna 50

McAllen Memorial 48, PSJA Memorial 43

Brownsville Hanna 56, Santa Maria 47

Laredo United South 66, Donna North 23

McAllen Memorial 53, Hidalgo 51

Edinburg High 80, Donna North 30

At PSJA High

Weslaco High 66, PSJA Southwest 44

New Way Christian 58, La Feria 56

Edcouch-Elsa 60, PSJA High 46

San Antonio Antonian 86, Brownsville Veterans 57

Laredo Alexander 79, Santa Maria 36

La Joya Juarez-Lincoln 51, San Antonio Veterans 37

Friday’s Games

Platinum Bracket

At PSJA North

PSJA North vs. Brownsville Hanna, 9 a.m.

McAllen Memorial vs. Harlingen South, 10:30 a.m.

Harlingen High vs. La Joya, noon

Edinburg High vs. Brownsville Veterans, 1:30 p.m.

At PSJA Memorial

New Way Christian vs. Laredo Alexander, 9 a.m.

PSJA Memorial vs. Weslaco High, 10:30 a.m.

Edcouch-Elsa vs. La Joya Juarez-Lincoln, noon

Laredo United South vs. SA Antonian, 1:30 p.m.

Gold Bracket

At PSJA High

La Feria vs. Santa Maria, 9 a.m.

Hidalgo vs. PSJA Southwest, 10:30 a.m.

PSJA North vs. SA Veterans, noon

Donna North vs. Weslaco East, 1:30 p.m.

City of Palms Tournament

Thursday’s Games

Pool Play

At McAllen Rowe, main gym

Edinburg North 74, Grulla 38

Los Fresnos 65, Edinburg Economedes 64

Brownsville Pace 88, Grulla 53

McAllen Rowe 72, Brownsville Rivera 48

Nuevo Leon 38, Donna High 33

Brownsville Pace 70, Edinburg North 65

Edinburg Economedes 51, La Joya Palmview 39

McAllen Rowe 65, Mercedes 40

At McAllen Rowe, back gym

McAllen High 61, San Benito 41

Los Fresnos 64, La Joya Palmview 42

Mercedes 84, Brownsville Rivera 66

San Benito 56, Nuevo Leon 53

SA Holy Cross Tournament

Mission High

Friday, Dec. 15

Non-District

Progreso at Agua Dulce, 7 p.m.

Monte Alto at Juan Diego Academy, 5:20 p.m.

Lasara at Raymondville, 6:30 p.m.

Premont at San Isidro, 6 p.m.

District 31-5A

Roma at Sharyland High 7 p.m.

Laredo Martin at Valley View, 7 p.m.

Laredo Cigarroa at Rio Grande City, 7 p.m.

Sharyland Pioneer at Mission Veterans, 7 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 16

Non-District

Brownsville Lopez at Rio Hondo, 12:30 p.m.

VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL SCHEDULE

Friday, Dec. 15

Non-District

Progreso at Agua Dulce, 7 p.m.

Monte Alto at Juan Diego Academy, 5:20 p.m.

Lasara at Raymondville, 6:30 p.m.

Premont at San Isidro, 6 p.m.

District 31-5A

Roma at Sharyland High 7 p.m.

Laredo Martin at Valley View, 7 p.m.

Laredo Cigarroa at Rio Grande City, 7 p.m.

Sharyland Pioneer at Mission Veterans, 7 p.m.

PSJA Tri-City Tournament

City of Palms Tournament, McAllen

SA Holy Cross Tournament

Mission High

Saturday, Dec. 16

Non-District

Brownsville Lopez at Rio Hondo, 12:30 p.m.

TOURNAMENTS

Tri City Classic

Thursday’s Games

Pool Play

At PSJA North

La Joya High vs. PSJA Southwest, 8:30 a.m.

PSJA High vs. Harlingen High, 10 a.m.

PSJA North vs. La Feria, 11:30 a.m.

San Antonio Veterans vs. Harlingen South, 1 p.m.

San Antonio Antonian vs. Weslaco East, 2:30 p.m.

Harlingen South vs. La Joya Juarez-Lincoln, 4 p.m.

New Way Christian vs. PSJA North, 5:30 p.m.

La Joya High vs. Weslaco High, 7 p.m.

Edcouch-Elsa vs. Harlingen High, 8:30 p.m.

At PSJA Memorial

Hidalgo vs. PSJA Memorial, 8:30 a.m.

Weslaco East vs. Brownsville Veterans, 10 a.m.

Laredo United South vs. Edinburg High, 11:30 a.m.

Laredo Alexander vs. Brownsville Hanna, 1 p.m.

PSJA Memorial vs. McAllen Memorial, 2:30 p.m.

Brownsville Hanna vs. Santa Maria, 4 p.m.

Donna North vs. Laredo United South, 5:30 p.m.

McAllen Memorial vs. Hidalgo, 7 p.m.

Edinburg High vs. Donna North, 8:30 p.m.

At PSJA High

PSJA Southwest vs. Weslaco High, 1 p.m.

La Feria vs. New Way Christian 2:30 p.m.

PSJA High vs. Edcouch-Elsa 4 p.m.

Brownsville Veterans vs. San Antonio Antonian 5:30 p.m.

Santa Maria vs. Laredo Alexander 7 p.m.

San Antonio Veterans vs. La Joya Juarez-Lincoln 8:30 p.m.

City of Palms Tournament

Thursday’s Games

Pool Play

At McAllen Rowe, main gym

Grulla vs. Edinburg North, 9 a.m.

Los Fresnos vs. Edinburg Economedes, 10:30 a.m.

Brownsville Pace vs. Grulla, noon

McAllen Rowe vs. Brownsville Rivera, 1:30 p.m.

Donna High vs. Nuevo Leon, 3 p.m.

Edinburg North vs. Brownsville Pace, 4:30 p.m.

Edinburg Economedes vs. La Joya Palmview, 6 p.m.

McAllen Rowe vs. Mercedes, 7:30 p.m.

At McAllen Rowe, back gym

McAllen High vs. San Benito, 10:30 a.m.

Los Fresnos vs. La Joya Palmview, 1:30 p.m.

Brownsville Rivera vs. Mercedes, 4:30 p.m.

San Benito vs. Nuevo Leon, 7:30 p.m.

BY SAUL BERRIOS-THOMAS | THE MONITOR

PHARR — When fans see PSJA North junior point guard Daunte Galvan’s black and silver No. 10 Raiders jersey flash across the court, one word instantly comes to mind: compete.

The No. 10 is the same number his father, Miguel Galvan, wore when he played for the Raiders in the late 1990s, which is fitting because Daunte got his hunger for battle on the court from his father.

Daunte Galvan has seen a lot in the gym in the last year. During his sophomore season, he put up 14.2 points and 6.2 assists per game while surrounded by veterans on a team ready to compete for a district crown.

This year, Galvan’s team looks a lot different. But the same word — compete — still applies to these Raiders, and Galvan has turned up his level of play to try to push those around him. Nine seniors graduated from last year’s Raiders, and Galvan is one of only a few holdovers.

“There are a couple of guys here who are barely getting their feet wet, but it’s a process, and we are feeling pretty good about it,” Galvan said. “I’m a competitor. I felt pretty good about stepping up and embracing the leadership role. I am pretty excited about this season with my teammates.”

Galvan exploded into the start of the year, averaging 25.5 points, 7.4 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 3.6 steals per game. On Nov. 25, during the Mission Thanksgiving Classic, Galvan set a career high with 35 points in an 85-66 win over IDEA Weslaco. Four days later, North faced Rio Hondo in non-district action, and Galvan went off for 40 points to lift the bar even higher in a 95-63 win.

North coach Jaime Gongora attributes much of Galvan’s growth to his dedication to playing during the summer and his parents’ assistance in getting him to tournaments.

“I think all of that summer play, combined with the confidence that he got his sophomore year, he has really taken his game to a different level,” Gongora said. “If he’s not the best player in the Valley, I don’t know who is.”

Daunte grew up playing basketball with Miguel. The father-son activity fit perfectly for the family early on. Daunte began playing when he was 4. He and Miguel, who played for the Raiders from 1995-99 under Gongora, used to play at parks all across the tri-city area.

“He still thinks he can take me,” Daunte said. “When I was a little kid, I would go for a layup, and he would come block me.”

The games got so intense that Daunte and Miguel once sheepishly returned home to address a bloody nose Daunte had picked up in the low post.

For a long time, Miguel dominated Daunte, teaching him how to play while demanding more. Then, when Daunte was in eighth grade, the dynamic flipped.

“The first time I beat him, believe it or not, wasn’t until my eighth-grade year,” Daunte said. “That’s the first time I ever beat him. … It was physical, intense. We would be getting mad at each other, calling every foul. … I got mad to the point where now, in eighth grade, I got bragging rights.”

Miguel was a tough opponent, but also a great teacher. He coached Daunte for years and still coaches one of Daunte’s summer league teams.

“He would get in my face a little bit,” Daunte said. “But he pushed me to become the player I am today.”

All along, a special moment was headed toward fruition. Daunte was on track to play for the Raiders. Finally, during his sophomore season, Daunte got to start, in front of his father, in that No. 10 jersey.

“He kind of had some tears in his eyes,” Daunte said. “It was important for him to see his son grow up and doing well in the same way he did himself. It was a great day.”

The competition in their relationship is built on a foundation of love and support that has allowed Daunte to become one of the best basketball players in the Valley.

Daunte excels the most at making the players around him better. Junior forward Arturo Beltran is new to varsity after playing JV last year. This year, he was dealing with an injury coming out of football season, but once he hit the court with Daunte, everything changed.

“He wasn’t with us early on because of the ankle injury,” Gongora said. “Then he stepped on the floor and started averaging 18, 20 points a game. He’s a huge difference.”

Beltran is averaging 13.8 points and 5.2 rebounds per game. He credits Daunte for helping push him to that next level, the same way Miguel pushed Daunte for all those years on the neighborhood court.

“Daunte is one of my closest friends,” Beltran said. “I have been playing with him since we were little — sixth grade. Being able to play with him again, it feels great.”

Daunte will be leading his team into a big weekend today, as the Raiders begin their annual Tri-City Classic Tournament hosting duties. The tournament features top-level teams from out of the area including San Antonio Antonian, San Antonio Veterans, New Way Christian and elite Valley teams such as Weslaco High, Hidalgo, Edinburg High, McAllen Memorial and, of course, PSJA North.

“Somewhere along the line, you are going to play some good teams, because the tournament is loaded,” Gongora said. “You can’t hide in this tournament. We have tried really hard to make this competitive.”

For Daunte, the tournament is just another chance to prove he is a top-tier talent and that his team, despite being young, is ready to compete. And he will be wearing his usual No. 10 the whole way.

“I’m pretty excited,” Daunte said. “This tournament is here on our home court, and we have to represent our school. Hopefully, we come out in the top bracket.”

[email protected]

VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL SCHEDULE

Tuesday, Dec. 12

District 31-5A

Roma 61, Rio Grande City 58

Laredo Nixon 68, Sharyland Pioneer 47

Laredo Cigarroa 51, Mission Veterans 44

Laredo Martin 87, Sharyland High 33

Non-District

Harlingen South 77, La Joya High 38

Raymondville 47, Donna North 23

Mercedes 63, Ingleside 46

PSJA Memorial 54, Progreso 22

McAllen Memorial 73, Harlingen High 65

Laredo LBJ 61, Edinburg Economedes 59

Weslaco High 66, McAllen High 47

Edinburg Vela 68, McAllen Rowe 52

Brownsville St. Joseph 59, Weslaco East 29

Brownsville Pace 57, San Benito 55

Mission High 71, PSJA Southwest 56

Donna High 59, La Joya Palmview 43

Edinburg North 72, Brownsville Porter 47

Brownsville Lopez 86, San Perlita 83

Brownsville Hanna 52, La Joya Juarez-Lincoln 49

Lasara at Edinburg IDEA Quest, not reported

Brownsville Rivera at Brownsville Veterans, not reported

PSJA Tri-City Tournament

City of Palms Tournament, McAllen

Edinburg North

Edinburg Economedes

Brownsville Rivera

Donna High

McAllen High

Los Fresnos

Mercedes

McAllen Rowe

Brownsville Pace

Grulla

SA Holy Cross Tournament

Mission High

Friday, Dec. 15

Non-District

Progreso at Agua Dulce, 7 p.m.

Monte Alto at Juan Diego Academy, 5:20 p.m.

Lasara at Raymondville, 6:30 p.m.

Premont at San Isidro, 6 p.m.

District 31-5A

Roma at Sharyland High 7 p.m.

Laredo Martin at Valley View, 7 p.m.

Laredo Cigarroa at Rio Grande City, 7 p.m.

Sharyland Pioneer at Mission Veterans, 7 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 16

Non-District

Brownsville Lopez at Rio Hondo, 12:30 p.m.

VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL BOYS BASKETBALL BOX SCORES

Tuesday’s Game

Non-District

MERCEDES 63, INGLESIDE 46

Ingelside 9 10 13 14 — 46

Mercedes 7 20 21 11 — 63

MERCEDES (63): Caleb Arthur 12, Mike Noriega 2, Jared Castaneda 13, Jay Ayala 9, Jordan Ovalle 9, Brandon Lozoya 10, Matthew Ozuna 8.

INGELSIDE (46): K. Coronado 2, H. Smith 10, S. Gallardo 8, T. Edison 6, I. Ledezma 3, C. Reeves 7, J. Badan 2, A. Montemayor 2.

EDINBURG NORTH 72, BROWNSVILLE PORTER 47

Brownsville Porter 12 14 5 16 — 47

Edinburg North 16 21 25 10 — 72

EDINBURG NORTH (72): Jose Arteaga 6, Andrew Nunez 10, Felix Aleman 13, Isaiah Rangel 13, Ben Vela 2, Roel De Leon 2, Tony Beltran 4, Juan Vasquez 7, Cesar Noyola 7, Josias Vasquez 4, Dimitri Pardo 4.

BROWNSVILLE PORTER (47): Ramiro Zuniga 2, Alvaro Sanchez 5, Shurward Anabui 10, Chrishoy Orosco 2, Andres Fragoso 14, Benjamin Eckersley 10, Jonah Lock Belagh 4.

RECORDS: Edinburg North 8-8

DONNA HIGH 59, LA JOYA PALMVIEW 43

Donna High 13 14 23 9 — 59

La Joya Palmview 10 10 16 7 — 43

DONNA HIGH (59): Derek Medrano 21, Eddie Epperson 9, Tony Rodriguez 5, Eric Garza 10, Anthonry Moreno 5, Carlos Barrera 2.

LA JOYA PALMVIEW (43): Gus Canales 3, Dante Olmeda 4, Freddie Flores 4, Gabrielle Garza 5, Irving Gamez 20, Alan Zarate 2, Paco De La O 5.

RECORDS: La Joya Palmview 3-12

RAYMONDVILLE 43, DONNA NORTH 27

Donna North 2 9 9 7 — 27

Raymondville 12 7 11 13 — 43

RAYMONDVILLE (43): James Andreson 6, Jacob Posas 5, Aaron Castillo 3, Xavier Ledesma 13, Justin Noyola 5, Eliseo Cerda 4, Daniel Gutierrez 5, Rudy Ambriz 3.

DONNA NORTH (27): Adam Rodriguez 2, Jon Martinez 3, Pete Saenz 4, Cesar Castillo 2, Aldo Quesada 1, Julian Garza 9, Luiz Diaz 2, Kory Harrison 4.

DISTRICT 31-5A

LAREDO NIXON 68, SHARYLAND PIONEER 47

Laredo Nixon 19 14 27 8 — 68

LAREDO NIXON (63): L.J. Herrera 8, A.J. Melendez 18, R.J. Rodriguez 4, Ricky Munoz 1, Jonathan Garcia 3, J.C. Ayala 2, Neo Garcia 10, Martin Tovar 5, Roger Vasquez 11.

SHARYLAND PIONEER (47): Mauricio Ramirez 2, Cody Sanchez 3, Miguel Angel Gonzalez 5, Luke Padilla 3, Aaron Cuevas 1, Nick Zieske 4, Eddie Marburger 5, Ethan Lee 3, Geo Garza 5, Lavar Lindo 4.

RECORDS: Pionner 7-8

TOURNAMENTS

Tri City Classic

Thursday’s Games

Pool Play

At PSJA North

La Joya Highvs. PSJA Southwest, 8:30 a.m.

PSJA High vs. Harlingen High, 10 a.m.

PSJA North vs. La Feria, 11:30 a.m.

San Antonio Veterans vs. Harlingen South, 1 p.m.

San Antonio Antonian vs. Weslaco East, 2:30 p.m.

Harlingen South vs. La Joya Juarez-Lincoln, 4 p.m.

New Way Christian vs. PSJA North, 5:30 p.m.

La Joya High vs. Weslaco High, 7 p.m.

Edcouch-Elsa vs. Harlingen High, 8:30 p.m.

At PSJA Memorial

Hidalgo vs. PSJA Memorial, 8:30 a.m.

Weslaco East vs. Brownsville Veterans, 10 a.m.

Laredo United South vs. Edinburg High, 11:30 a.m.

Laredo Alexander vs. Brownsville Hanna, 1 p.m.

PSJA Memorial vs. McAllen Memorial, 2:30 p.m.

Brownsville Hanna vs. Santa Maria, 4 p.m.

Donna North vs. Laredo United South, 5:30 p.m.

McAllen Memorial vs. Hidalgo, 7 p.m.

Edinburg High vs. Donna North, 8:30 p.m.

At PSJA High

PSJA Southwest vs. Weslaco High, 1 p.m.

La Feria vs. New Way Christian 2:30 p.m.

PSJA High vs. Edcouch-Elsa 4 p.m.

Brownsville Veterans vs. San Antonio Antonian 5:30 p.m.

Santa Maria vs. Laredo Alexander 7 p.m.

San Antonio Veterans vs. La Joya Juarez-Lincoln 8:30 p.m.

BY SAUL BERRIOS-THOMAS | THE MONITOR
ROMA — On the opening night of District 31-5A action, in a packed gym at Roma High School, Rio Grande City and Roma went toe-to-toe in an instant classic.
Roma used poise and composure as the clock ticked toward zero to pick up the win 61-58 on Tuesday night in the battle of Starr Country rivals.
“It feels great,” senior guard Leonardo Alaniz said. “I feel like this win can pick up some momentum for the future. I also feel like our team has come up together chemistry-wise. I feel like we have some big aspirations for the future.”
Roma led early thanks to senior guard Noe Garza Jr., who scored eight of Roma’s first 14 points. The Gladiators led all the way through the first half of the fourth quarter.
Rio Grande City continued to chip away at the lead, though, and with just less than 4 1/2 minutes to play, the Rattlers struck. Junior guard Jaime Covarrubias saw a poorly timed pass from Roma crossing midcourt, and he jumped into the passing lane and swiped the ball. Covarrubias got his head up and saw senior center Rodrigo Nuñez streaking toward the basket. Nuñez caught the pass from Covarrubias and dropped a thunderous one-handed flush that put the Rattlers up by two, 54-52.
Half the crowd fell silent, while the other half erupted in jubilation. After the basket, Roma coach Luis Ramirez called a timeout.
“He called that timeout so we could stay composed,” Alaniz said. “Sometimes, we have to get that timeout to stay relaxed and get back into the game. I believe that timeout worked really well for us. We stayed composed, and we came out there and we played hard.”
On the ensuing Roma possession, Garza, who hadn’t scored since there were about 6 1/2 minutes left in the second quarter, was fouled and went to the line, where he hit both free throws to tie the game.
“It felt very good,” Garza said. “It was just us being us, staying calm and finding a way.”
Rio was still in the game, and the Rattlers were fighting to keep it close. But, Alaniz slammed the door shut.
With 1:52 to play, Alaniz had the ball at the top of the arc. Alaniz used a strong screen from senior center Jesus Ramirez and put up a 3-point shot. The attempt sailed off to the side, but the referee nearest the play instantly called a foul on the defender.
“I knew he was going to call the foul,” Alaniz said. “I felt the contact all the way. I just needed to know if I could drain those three free throws.”
Alaniz went to the line with his team down 55-54, facing three shots.
“All I was thinking is, ‘Make those free throws and make my city proud,’” Alaniz said. “My routine is just take a deep breath, relax and see the ball through the hole. … It was just me the ball and the rim. It felt great. There was no sense of stress or pressure.”
He sank all three.
“That was very big for us,” Garza said. “If he wouldn’t have hit all of those free throws, I don’t think we would have won this game.”
It was all Roma from there, as Rio never regained the lead.
Rio had one last chance, down two with about 15 seconds left. Nuñez got a pretty good look from 3 on the right wing. The ball rattled around the cylinder before popping back out.
The 6-foot-8 Nuñez had a monstrous game, finishing with 23 points, 10 rebounds and eight blocks.
“I believe our defenders contained (Nuñez) pretty well,” Alaniz said. “Rodrigo is a great player none the less, but I feel like my big boys, they got the job done.”
Jesus Ramirez was usually in charge of guarding Nuñez, but senior forward Cesar Contreras also drew the assignment for small stretches. On one such possession, Contreras posted up Nuñez on the left block, then used a superlative pump fake and shuffle to create enough separation to score two of his 15 points.
“Cesar played excellent,” Alaniz said. “This guy, coming out with absolute amazing power. Amazing determination. I love this guy. I love playing with him. He’s one of the best players to play with.”
Alaniz finished the game with a team-high 16 points. Garza had 12 and senior guard Armando Rodriguez added nine.
For Rio, senior guard Frank Gonzalez had 12. Sophomore Aaron Marroquin, a guard, scored 11.
Roma has a veteran group, with 11 seniors and three juniors on the roster. That experience shows in the Gladiators’ camaraderie.
“I have played with these guys all my life, since I was a little youngin’,” Alaniz said. “It feels great to be my last year playing with these guys. We have a great chemistry, and I’m hoping for the best for this season.”
Both teams have gotten off to hot starts to the season and should be playoff contenders in a tough District 31-5A. Roma won round one on Tuesday night, but the teams will meet again in Rio during the second round of district play. They could even face each other once more, in the playoffs.
“Are we ready to play them again? Of course, but I’m glad we can wait until the second round of district,” Luis Ramirez said with a wry smile.
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Valley-boys basketball schedule

Monday, Dec. 11

Non-District

San Isidro 72, Riviera-Kaufer 45

Santa Maria at Monte Alto, not reported

Tuesday, Dec. 12

Non-District

Mercedes at Corpus Christi Ingleside, 6 p.m.

McAllen Rowe at Edinburg Vela, 7:30 p.m.

Raymondville at Donna North, 6 p.m.

Brownsville Hanna at La Joya Juarez-Lincoln, 7:30 p.m.

Weslaco East at Brownsville St. Joseph, 7:30 p.m.

Brownsville Porter at Edinburg North, 7:30 p.m.

Brownsville Pace at San Benito, 7:30 p.m.

PSJA Southwest at Mission High, 7:30 p.m.

La Joya High at Harlingen South, 7:30 p.m.

PSJA Memorial at Progreso, 7:30 p.m.

Donna High at La Joya Palmview, 7:30 p.m.

McAllen Memorial at Harlingen High, 7:30 p.m.

Edinburg Economedes at Laredo LBJ, 7 p.m.

McAllen High at Weslaco High, 7:30 p.m.

Lasara at Edinburg IDEA Quest, 7:30 p.m.

San Perlita at Brownsville Lopez, 7:30 p.m.

Brownsville Rivera at Brownsville Veterans, 7:30 p.m.

District 31-5A

Rio Grande City at Roma 7 p.m.

Laredo Nixon at Sharyland Pioneer, 7 p.m.

Mission Veterans at Laredo Cigarroa, 7 p.m.

Sharyland High at Laredo Martin, 7 p.m.