VALLEY-BOYS BASKETBALL SCHEDULE

Tuesday, Dec. 20

Non-District

PSJA Memorial 67, Donna North 41

Santa Rosa 112, San Perlita 29

Edinburg Vela 89, Donna High 31

Brownsville Hanna 58, PSJA Southwest 41

Harlingen High 64, McAllen Memorial 63

Edinburg Economedes 63, Edcouch-Elsa 48

Edinburg IDEA Quest 48, Lasara 41

District 31-5A

Laredo Nixon 82, Mission Veterans 51

Laredo Cigarroa 84, Sharyland High 78, 2 OT

Rio Grande City 59, Sharyland Pioneer 53

Roma 51, Valley View 47

Wednesday, Dec. 21

Non-District

PSJA North 77, Brownsville Pace 70

McAllen Rowe 65, Weslaco East 50

Thursday, Dec. 22

District 31-5A

Sharyland High 46, Sharyland Pioneer 41

Friday, Dec. 23

District 31-5A

Laredo Martin 75, Roma 59

Rio Grande City 98, Laredo Nixon 94, OT

Valley View at Laredo Cigarroa, not reported

VALLEY-BOYS BASKETBALL BOXSCORES

Tuesday’s Games

DISTRICT 31-5A

LAREDO NIXON 82, MISSION VETERANS 51

Laredo Nixon 24 23 18 17 — 82

Mission Veterans 12 15 12 12 — 51

LAREDO NIXON (82) — Not reported.

MISSION VETERANS (51) — Derrick Deleon 18, Marc Doran 10, Josh Acosta 7, Alex Rodriguez 6, Noe Cantu 4, Elias Ibarra 2, Noel Vela 2, Adrian Castañeda 2.

RECORDS: Mission Veterans 10-8, 2-1.

LAREDO CIGARROA 84, SHARYLAND HIGH 78, 2 OT

Laredo Cigarroa 16 19 15 14 9 11 — 84

Sharyland High 22 12 23 7 9 5 — 78

LAREDO CIGARROA (84) — Not reported.

SHARYLAND HIGH (78) — Juan Gutierrez 3, Sean Tucker 27, Jared Karr 6, Alex Castello 6, Juan Leal 12.

RECORDS: Sharyland High 1-2 in district; Laredo Cigarroa 2-1 in district.

RIO GRANDE CITY 59, SHARYLAND PIONEER 53

Sharyland Pioneer 15 3 21 14 — 53

Rio Grande City 11 11 16 21 — 59

SHARYLAND PIONEER (53) — Chaunts Weston 12, Andrew Ogletree 12, Johnny Suarez 3, Jorge Suarez 2, Cody Sanchez 9, Mike Madrigal 7, Sean Curtis 8.

RIO GRANDE CITY (59) — Rodrigo Nuñez 18, Aaron Marroquin 2, Demencio Venecia 17, Frank Gonzalez 13, Izreal Lambert 14.

RECORDS: Rio Grande City 13-7, 2-1.

Wednesday’s Games

Non-district

McALLEN ROWE 65, WESLACO EAST 50

McAllen Rowe 18 10 22 15 — 65

Weslaco East 7 14 15 14 — 50

McALLEN ROWE (65) — Derek Luna 21, Daniel Sotuyo 20, Dominic Clarke 10, Freddy Ayala 6, Adrian Bernal 3, Tito Moronta 3, Christian Vasquez 2.

WESLACO EAST (50) — Jonathan M 18, Alex C 6, Paulino A 5, DJ R 5, Mark M 4, JJ Garza 4, Felix J 3, Richard L 3, Nevin G 2.

RECORDS: McAllen Rowe 15-5.

PSJA NORTH 77, BROWNSVILLE PACE 70

Brownsville Pace 18 28 15 9 — 70

PSJA North 21 28 17 11 — 77

PSJA NORTH (77) — Anthony Chavez 2, Daunte Galvan 28, Oscar Cantu 8, Darren Fuentes 21, Damian Fuentes 9, Randy Adame 2, Jose Rodriguez 7.

BROWNSVILLE PACE (70) — Hiram Flores 6, Randy Aguilar 16, Victor Vilano 2, Alex Acosta 13, Andres Salgado 18, Jose Salinas 2, Julio Ortega 13.

RECORDS: PSJA North 18-3.

Thursday’s Game

District 31-5A

SHARYLAND HIGH 46, SHARYLAND PIONEER 41

Sharyland High 11 8 10 17 — 46

Sharyland Pioneer 10 12 6 13 — 41

SHARYLAND HIGH (46) — Juan Gutierrez 3, Sean Tucker 18, Alex Castillo 4, Jacob Olivarez 9, Mauro Fernandez 4, Kale Cator 8.

SHARYLAND PIONEER (41) — Chaunts Weston 7, Andrew Ogletree 4, Johnny Suarez 3, Jorge Suarez 8, Bradan Wilson 5, Mike Madrigal 11, Sean Curtis 3.

RECORDS: Sharyland Pioneer 6-10, 0-4 district.

BY TJ GARCIA | SPECIAL TO THE MONITOR

EDINBURG — The Edinburg Lady Bobcats scored 18 fourth-quarter points at home to pull away from Edinburg Vela and down the Lady Sabercats 54-45 Tuesday night in a 31-6A district battle.

Edinburg scored 10 of its 18 final-period points from the free-throw line, going 10 for 13. Vela, meanwhile, went in the other direction, hitting just 2 of 9 from the charity stripe.

There were lots of contrasts in the game between the city rivals, but the free-throw shooting performance in the last quarter — after the game was tied at 35 after three periods — may have just done in the Lady Sabercats.

The two coaches said it. Players acknowledged it. The 700 raucous fans saw it.

“At the end of the game we hit free throws,” a relieved Edinburg coach John David Salinas said. “The fouls were even on both sides. We were just lucky to get a victory on our home floor. At the end of the game, we were just able to make a run. It could have really gone either way.”

Because the game went Edinburg’s way, it is now 2-0 in district play, while Vela falls to 1-1.

Edinburg junior guard Jayla Santa Maria led all scorers with 22 points, including going 8 of 12 on free throws, most of which came in the fourth quarter. Jennesah Santa Maria, a sophomore, added 16 more for the Bobcats.

Much of their scoring came in the second half. Edinburg hit a couple of shots to start the game but then went into a deep freeze. The Lady Bobcats scored just 7 points in the first quarter on 2-of-15 shooting. They were able to do a little better in the second but at one point were down 17-9 before getting to within 3 at the half.

After intermission, Vela went away from its passing game and rarely got the ball inside to its bigs despite first-half success. After scoring 11 points and grabbing 12 rebounds early, post Bianca Cortez did not attempt a field goal in the third and shot just twice in the fourth.

Flipping the court played well for the Bobcats, as they knotted the game after three.

“We continued to play hard. We picked up the energy, because that’s what we lacked most of the game,” Jayla Santa Maria said of Edinburg’s ability to get fast break hoops and points in the lane late in the game. “They outrebounded us. They have a lot of bigs, and Jaida (Muhammad) is a fast and good guard, but we stuck to our game plan and we were calm and focused and picked up the win.”

Edinburg opened the fourth quarter with an 8-0 run that closed with a Mercedes Hernandez three, and the Lady Bobcats never looked back. After that, they got to the free throw line and made their shots. Vela did not. But Vela also went cold from the floor in the fourth, hitting just 4 of 11 shots.

“We played a good ball club. It was expected that we would have a good game tonight, and we just got to keep moving and go to the next game and learn from it,” coach Lottie Zarate said. “But coming down to the end of the (game’s) stretch, we need to make sure that we have to be able to drop the free throws.”

Edinburg Vela was led by Cortez’s 16 points and 17 rebounds. Muhammad added 14 points.

BY SAUL BERRIOS-THOMAS | STAFF WRITER

PHARR — PSJA High is a program steeped in tradition. Now, the Bears may be able to add to that tradition.

The PSJA ISD Board of Trustees unanimously voted to select Lupe Rodriguez as its new coach at PSJA High on Monday

“It’s a great opportunity,” Rodriguez said. “An opportunity I have been waiting for, for a while. I am very grateful to PSJA High for giving me this opportunity to be a head coach.”

Rodriguez replaces Steve Marroquin, who was the coach at PSJA High for four years.

Rodriguez brings over 20 years of coaching experience, but perhaps his most valuable experience came less than a month ago.

Rodriguez was the offensive coordinator at Mission Veterans this past season. He was part of a Patriots team that made it to the third round, despite facing long odds to get there.

“Getting a coach that has been there,” Rodriguez said regarding what he felt he offers PSJA High. “And inheriting a team that runs the same style of offense, letting the players know that it is possible for a team from down here to make it to that third round and to be successful. It’s something that I can use to bring that tradition back into PSJA High. Believing, that’s one of the biggest things is getting the kids to believe. I think reaching that level will really help me to get this team going.”

Rodriguez brings his patented spread offense. PSJA High also ran a spread offense this year. Perhaps even more fitting, Rodriguez has been known as a bit of a quarterback specialist. He has worked with the likes of Diego Hernandez, Landry Gilpin and Santos Villarreal to name a few. Now he will get to work with all-district first team quarterback Trey Guajardo. The sophomore sensation threw for 1,306 and 10 touchdowns and ran for 1,009 and 10 more TDs.

“I have been fortunate here at Mission Veterans to have a great athlete at the quarterback position,” Rodriguez said. “That is something that we thrive on: a quarterback with such talent and then we build the system around that quarterback.”

Rodriguez has been in the area for most of his career with stops at PSJA North, Mission High and Valley View, before spending the last eight years as offensive coordinator at Mission Veterans.

Rodriguez said he is excited about bringing his brand of football to PSJA High.

“Fans can expect an exciting offense,” Rodriguez said. “It’s an offense that Friday nights are meant for. That is something that they can look forward to, an explosive offense that can win games.”

[email protected]

BY SAUL BERRIOS-THOMAS | STAFF WRITER

PHARR — Coach Michael Evans may be a stranger to PSJA Southwest, but he’s no stranger to the Valley.

Evans started from the ground up and has coached for some of the best teams in the area. After being approved by the PSJA Board of Trustees on Monday to take over the Javelinas, Evans will have a shot at turning around a program that fell short of making the playoffs in 2016.

“(The job) means it’s a new step in my career,” Evans said. “It’s an opportunity in my life that I have been looking for since I started in this business.”

Evans began his coaching career at the sub-varsity level at Valley View. He spent three years coaching at the varsity level at San Benito.

The last five years have included a four year stint as defensive coordinator at Los Fresnos, before moving to the same position at Brownsville Veterans this season.

Evans has used a 4-2-5 defensive scheme throughout his career.

“You always have to adapt to your athletes,” Evans said. “But, we have had a lot of success the last five years based out of a 4-2-5. So, I plan on doing that still.”

The Javelinas finished the season with 269 points allowed and a -43 point differential. Their 316.3 yards allowed were the fourth best in District 31-6A under coach Jesus Reyes.

On offense the Javelinas will graduate the district’s leading rusher Justin Corona and starting quarterback Joe Salinas, but they return Andrew Becerra, who amassed 833 yards in his junior year behind Corona.

Evans is excited to hit the ground running tomorrow to make his mark in his first head coaching opportunity.

“Hopefully we can be a team that people say plays fast, plays tough and with great effort,” Evans said.

[email protected]

BY TJ GARCIA | SPECIAL TO THE MONITOR

PHARR — Three straight weekends, three straight tournaments and about 20 games played.

For most high school teams, that’s half the season. For the Weslaco Panthers, it’s their reality, and one that they’ve survived relatively unscathed as one the Rio Grande Valley’s best teams.

But on Saturday, the Panthers (17-4) ran into a hot-shooting Laredo Alexander team in the Tri-City Classic Tournament championship and lost 60-55 with dead legs and a bad fourth quarter.

The Alexander Bulldogs, one of South Texas’ top teams, hit 10 first-half 3-pointers (13 in all) and played well enough in the second half to turn back a late Weslaco rally and take home the trophy.

“We could have played better defense. Guys were getting by us, and they were kicking out to the open man, and they were making everything tonight,” Weslaco senior guard Jordan Young said. “We are going to learn from this and progress on to district. In this tournament, we played a lot of tough teams. We made it to the championship, didn’t get first, but it doesn’t get much better than that.”

The Panthers never lead in the contest and at one point were down 31-12 in the second quarter. Alexander, behind its sizzling perimeter shooting, had the Panthers on their heels before Weslaco began dumping the ball inside to 6-foot-4 post Justice Free for easy baskets.

Later in the third quarter, Young started to heat up with consecutive threes with a layup. Paired with Free’s baskets, the Panthers were suddenly back in the game, trailing 51-46 at the end of the third quarter. Alexander also went cold, managing just one trey in the third as the Panthers ramped up their defense.

After four straight Free baskets, Weslaco tied the game at 54 with 3 minutes left to play. But that was about all the Panthers could do. Alexander hit two straight buckets and turned the Panthers over twice before the teams exchanged free throws and the buzzer sounded. Free’s four hoops were the only field goals Weslaco could muster in the fourth as the Panthers went 4 of 13 from the floor and fatigue finally began to show.

Weslaco coach Gabe Pena said he was proud of his team and it performed well in the tournament, despite challenges.

“There were some situations where we did not execute as we should have, and we dropped one to (McAllen) Memorial, and I don’t think we should have dropped that one,” Pena said. “But we gained some valuable experience as far as our team as a whole getting ready for district play.”

Free, normally not a big scorer, exploded for 25 points on 12-of-14 shooting and pulled down 8 rebounds. Alexander, more a finesse team, could not match Free’s inside power game. Meanwhile, Young ended with 15 points and 5 steals and Braxton Bloomquist added 8 points.

VALLEY-BOYS BASKETBALL SCHEDULE

Monday, Dec. 19

Non-District

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

Bishop at San Isidro, 5 p.m.

Tuesday, Dec. 20

Non-District

PSJA Memorial at Donna North, 6 p.m.

Donna High at Edinburg Vela, 2:30 p.m.

Harlingen High at McAllen Memorial, 7 p.m.

McAllen Rowe at Weslaco East, 7:30 p.m.

Edinburg Economedes at Edcouch-Elsa, 7:30 p.m.

PSJA Southwest at Brownsville Hanna, 7 p.m.

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

District 31-5A

Laredo Cigarroa at Sharyland High, 7 p.m.

Sharyland Pioneer at Rio Grande City, 7:30 p.m.

Laredo Nixon at Mission Veterans, 7 p.m.

Roma at Valley View, 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Dec. 21

Non-District

Brownsville Pace at PSJA North, 3:30 p.m.

McAllen Rowe at Weslaco East, 1:30 p.m.

Thursday, Dec. 22

District 31-5A

Sharyland High at Sharyland Pioneer, 3:30 p.m.

VALLEY-BOYS BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE

City of Palms Tournament

At McAllen Rowe

Friday, Dec. 16

G-9: Brownsville Rivera 52, Donna High 49

G-10: Edinburg High 55, McAllen High 51

G-11: Mercedes 60, McAllen Rowe JV 27

G-12: Los Fresnos 59, La Joya Palmview 47

G-13: Edinburg North def. San Benito

G-14: Brownsville St. Joseph def. Brownsville Pace

G-15: Grulla def. Nuevo Leon

G-16: McAllen Rowe def. La Joya High

G-17: Donna High def. McAllen Rowe JV

G-18: Mercedes def. Brownsville Rivera

G-19: McAllen High def. La Joya Palmview

G-20: Los Fresnos 78, Edinburg High 39

G-21: San Benito def. Nuevo Leon

G-22: Edinburg North def. Grulla

G-23: La Joya def. Brownsville Pace

G-24: McAllen Rowe 51, Brownsville St. Joseph 42

Saturday, Dec. 17

G-25: Nuevo Leon def. McAllen Rowe JV

G-26: Donna High 58, San Benito 48

G-27: La Joya Palmview 65, Brownsville Pace 35

G-28: La Joya High 54, McAllen High 39

G-29: Brownsville Rivera 57, Grulla 38

Consolation Championship

G-30: Mercedes 73, Edinburg North 34

Third-Place Game

G-31: Edinburg High 60, Brownsville St. Joseph 54

Championship Game

G-32: Los Fresnos 53, McAllen Rowe 51

ALL-TOURNAMENT MVP — Gabe Martinez, Los Fresnos.

ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM — Alez Garcia, Los Fresnos; Andrew Carrizales, Los Fresnos; Adrian Bernal, McAllen Rowe; Freddy Ayala, McAllen Rowe; Daniel Sotuyo, McAllen Rowe; Jesus Cantu, Edinbugr High; Jorge Villareal, Brownsville St. Joseph; Jaime Rodriguez, Mercedes.

PSJA Tri-City Classic

Bracket Play

Friday’s Games

Championship Bracket

G1: Weslaco High 88, New-Way Christian 70

G2: McAllen Memorial 80, PSJA North 77

G3: Laredo Alexander def. Weslaco East

G4: Brownsville Veterans def. Harlingen South

Consolation Bracket

G5: Brownsivlle Hanna 56, PSJA Southwest 32

G6: Donna North 65, La Feria 34

G7: PSJA High def. Hidalgo

G8: PSJA Memorial 80, Edcouch-Elsa 63

Saturday’s Games

Consolation Bracket

G13: Brownsville Hanna 47, PSJA Memorial 44

G14: PSJA High def. Donna North

G15: PSJA Southwest 57, Edcouch-Elsa 54

G16: Hidalgo 51, La Feria 40

Consolation Championship

PSJA Southwest vs. PSJA High, not reported

Third-place Game

PSJA Memorial vs. La Feria, not reported

Championship Game

Brownsville Hanna vs. Hidalgo, not reported

Championship Brakcet

G9: Weslaco High 55, Brownsville Veterans 43

G10: Laredo Alexander 52, McAllen Memorial 26

G11: Harlingen South 98, New-Way Christian 88

G12: PSJA North 45, Weslaco East 31

Consoaltion Championship

Harlingen South 61, PSJA North 60

Third-place Game

Brownsville Veterans 59, McAllen Memorial 42

Championship Game

Laredo Alexander 60, Weslaco High 55

ALL-TOURNAMENT MVP — Marco Peña, Laredo Alexander

VALLEY-GIRLS BASKETBALL SCHEDULE

Friday, Dec. 16

District 30-6A

McAllen Memorial 55, McAllen Rowe 37

McAllen High 66, Mission High 34

La Joya Palmview 52, La Joya High 50

District 31-6A

Edinburg High 80, Edinburg Economedes 22

PSJA Memorial 38, PSJA North 34

PSJA High 19, PSJA Southwest 11

Edinburg Vela 59, Edinburg North 56

District 32-6A

Weslaco High 66, Brownsville Hanna 37

San Benito 28, Weslaco East 24

Harlingen South 52, Los Fresnos 46

Harlingen High 66, Brownsville Rivera 25

District 31-5A

Mission Veterans 49, Sharyland Pioneer 33

Sharyland High 54, Roma 25

Laredo Cigarroa 39, Rio Grande City 30

District 32-5A

Donna North 56, Browsnville Lopez 23

Donna High 78, Edcouch-Elsa 46

Brownsville Pace 58, Brownsville Porter 42

Brownsville Veterans Memorial 51, Mercedes 37

District 32-4A

Hidalgo 81, Progreso 22

Grulla 47, Rio Hondo 46

La Feria 58, Zapata 19

VALLEY-GIRLS BASKETBALL BOXSCORES

Friday’s Games

District 30-6A

McALLEN MEMORIAL 55, McALLEN ROWE 37

McAllen Rowe 6 5 6 20 — 37

McAllen Memorial 13 12 11 19 — 55

McALLEN ROWE (37) — Genesis Valdez 2, Diana Gonzalez 6, Jovanni Solis 22, A. Martinez 3, Angela Arzola 4.

McALLEN MEMORIAL (55) — Ebony Johnson 4, Tani Talamantez 11, Victoria Izaguirre 17, Valeria Garcia 6, Selma Regalado 10, Valeria Treviño 7.

RECORDS: McAllen Memorial 11-8, 2-0; McAllen Rowe 1-1.

McALLEN HIGH 66, MISSION HIGH 34

Mission High 8 5 8 13 — 34

McAllen High 22 17 19 8 — 66

MISSION HIGH (34) — Natalie Montoya 3, Kimberly Barrera 3, Sierra Cepeda 6, Ariel Sanchez 8, Ashley Sanchez 8, Lea Rodriguez 2, Brittany Garza 4.

McALLEN HIGH (66) — Gamari Llanas 3, Heaven Wilbanks 3, Brianna Coffee 13, Sandy Morillo 4, Victoria Alanis 7, Sabrina Guzman 9, Alex Gamino 15, Celeste Saenz 12.

RECORDS: McAllen High 12-7, 2-0; Mission High 0-1 in district.

District 31-6A

PSJA HIGH 19, PSJA SOUTHWEST 11

PSJA High 11 0 0 8 — 19

PSJA Southwest 7 2 0 2 — 11

PSJA HIGH (19) — Rebecca Treviño 8, Darianna Galvan 4, Sarah Jo Hernandez 3, Reanna Rosa 2, Ashley Pecina 2.

PSJA SOUTHWEST (11) — Liz Melendez 5, Karen Vasquez 4, Kimberley Zuzio 2.

RECORDS: PSJA High 7-9, district1-0; PSJA Southwest district 0-1.

PSJA MEMORIAL 38, PSJA NORTH 34

PSJA Memorial 14 5 9 10 — 38

PSJA North 13 3 8 10 — 34

PSJA MEMORIAL (38) — Violet Torres 3, Monique Deleon 12, Debby Martinez 7, Tara Porter 6, Alex Soto 6, Victoria Hernandez 2, Victoria Gonzalez 2.

PSJA NORTH (34) — Melissa Palacios 5, Clarissa Alvarez 2, Caity Rodriguez 3, Ahisa De La Garza 13, Alexia Neal 11.

RECORDS: PSJA North 16-6, district 0-1; PSJA Memorial 1-0.

District 31-5A

MISSION VETERANS 49, SHARYLAND PIONEER 33

Sharyland Pioneer 9 4 10 10 — 33

Mission Veterans 14 11 11 13 — 49

SHARYLAND PIONEER (33) — Chelsea Chandler 9, Ashley Briseño 2, Miranda Ramos 14, Daylann Garza 2, Dayanara Montalvo 6.

MISSION VETERANS (49) — Jackie Howell 19, Selinda Cortez 1, Ronnie Cantu 6, Andrea de la Garza 6, Lyndsey Garza 8, Gaby Gallardo 9.

RECORDS: Mission Veterans 11-11, 3-11.

SHARYLAND HIGH 54, ROMA 25

Roma 3 7 9 7 — 25

Sharyland High 15 12 12 12 — 54

ROMA (25) — Anaid Perez 2, Jesselle Guerra 12, Valeria Gordillo 1, Estefany Ramos 3, R. Rodrigues 4, A. Gonzalez 2, Daniella Garza 1.

SHARYLAND HIGH (54) — Ania Pelayo 12, Camila Manzur 3, Aydee Hinojosa 14, Miranda Cantu 7, Daphny Castillo 2, Anna Marshall 16.

RECORDS: Sharyland High 16-8, 2-1 district.

District 32-5A

DONNA NORTH 56, BROWNSVILLE LOPEZ 23

Brownsville Lopez 6 6 6 5 — 23

Donna North 8 13 14 21 — 56

BROWNSVILLE LOPEZ (23) — Stacy V. 7, Nora E. 8, Estefany M. 4, Clarissa R. 3.

DONNA NORTH (56) — Kaily Contreras 5, Jackie Contreras 10, I’Dasha Sorrell 14, Blu Cruz 6, Gabby Sanchez 2, Evelyn Deleon 9, Melanie Morales 10.

RECORDS: Donna North district 1-1; Brownsville Lopez 0-2.

District 32-4A

GRULLA 47, RIO HONDO 46

Grulla 12 4 19 12 — 47

Rio Hondo 19 7 10 10 — 46

GRULLA (47) — Carolina Alamillo 17, Delma Ozuna 14, Kossett Garza 7, Larissa Martinez 4, Samantha Sifuentes 3, Maxine Solis 2.

RIO HONDO (46) — Not reported.

RECORDS: Grulla 13-9, 2-0.

VALLEY-BOYS BASKETBALL SCHEDULE

Friday, Dec. 16

Non-District

Edinburg Vela 74, Brownsville Lopez 39

La Joya Juarez-Lincoln 77, San Perlita 33

Brownsville IDEA Frontier at Port Isabel, not reported

Macedonia at San Isidro, not reported

Lasara at Athlos Academy, not reported

District 31-5A

Sharyland High 65, Roma 57

Mission Veterans 41, Sharyland Pioneer 29

Laredo Martin 72, Valley View 31

Laredo Cigarroa 39, Rio Grande City 30

Monday, Dec. 19

Non-District

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

Bishop at San Isidro, 5 p.m.

Tuesday, Dec. 20

Non-District

PSJA Memorial at Donna North, 6 p.m.

Donna High at Edinburg Vela, 2:30 p.m.

Harlingen High at McAllen Memorial, 7 p.m.

McAllen Rowe at Weslaco East, 7:30 p.m.

Edinburg Economedes at Edcouch-Elsa, 7:30 p.m.

PSJA Southwest at Brownsville Hanna, 7 p.m.

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

District 31-5A

Laredo Cigarroa at Sharyland High, 7 p.m.

Sharyland Pioneer at Rio Grande City, 7:30 p.m.

Laredo Nixon at Mission Veterans, 7 p.m.

Roma at Valley View, 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Dec. 21

Non-District

Brownsville Pace at PSJA North, 3:30 p.m.

McAllen Rowe at Weslaco East, 1:30 p.m.

Thursday, Dec. 22

District 31-5A

Sharyland High at Sharyland Pioneer, 3:30 p.m.

VALLEY-BOYS BASKETBALL BOXSCORES

Friday’s Games

DISTRICT 31-5A

MISSION VETERANS 41, SHARYLAND PIONEER 29

Mission Vets 4 8 14 15 — 41

Sharyland Pioneer 6 10 0 13 — 29

MISSION VETS (41) — Derek Deleon 13, Josh Acosta 6, Alex Rodriguez 11, Adrian Castaneda 9, Marc Duran 2.

SHARYLAND PIONEER (29) — Chaunse Weston 3, Andrew Ogeltree 4, Jorge Suarez 2, Cody Sanchez 2, Andre Garza 4, Braden Wilson 4, Mike Madrigal 6, Lavarre Lindo 2, Shaun Curtis 2.

RECORDS: Sharyland Pioneer 6-8, 0-2; Mission Veterans 2-0 in district.

VALLEY-BOYS BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE

City of Palms Tournament

At McAllen Rowe

Thursday, Dec. 15

G-1: McAllen High 59, Brownsville Rivera 33

G-2: Edinburg High 54, Donna High 34

G-3: La Joya Palmview 42, McAllen Rowe JV 29

G-4: Los Fresnos 70, Mercedes 49

G-5: Brownsville St. Joseph 50, Edinburg North 48

G-6: Brownsville Pace 58, San Benito 53

G-7: La Joya High 77, Grulla 54

G-8: McAllen Rowe 78, Nuevo Leon 34

Friday, Dec. 16

G-9: Brownsville Rivera 52, Donna High 49

G-10: Edinburg High 55, McAllen High 51

G-11: Mercedes 60, McAllen Rowe JV 27

G-12: Los Fresnos 59, La Joya Palmview 47

G-13: Edinburg North def. San Benito

G-14: Brownsville St. Joseph def. Brownsville Pace

G-15: Grulla def. Nuevo Leon

G-16: McAllen Rowe def. La Joya High

G-17: Donna High def. McAllen Rowe JV

G-18: Mercedes def. Brownsville Rivera

G-19: McAllen High def. La Joya Palmview

G-20: Los Fresnos 78, Edinburg High 39

G-21: San Benito def. Nuevo Leon

G-22: Edinburg North def. Grulla

G-23: La Joya def. Brownsville Pace

G-24: McAllen Rowe 51, Brownsville St. Joseph 42

Saturday, Dec. 17

G-25: McAllen Rowe JV vs. Nuevo Leon at Gym B, 10:30 a.m.

G-26: Donna High vs. San Benito at Gym A, 10:30 a.m.

G-27: La Joya Palmview vs. Brownsville Pace at Gym B, Noon

G-28: McAllen High vs. La Joya High at Gym A, Noon

G-29: Brownsville Rivera vs. Grulla at Gym B, 1:30 p.m.

Consolation Championship

G-30: Mercedes vs. Edinburg North at Gym A, 1:30 p.m.

Third-Place Game

G-31: Edinburg High vs. Brownsville St. Joseph at Gym A, 3 p.m.

Championship Game

G-32: Los Fresnos vs. McAllen Rowe at Gym A, 4:30 p.m.

PSJA Tri-City Classic

Pool A

PSJA North; Brownsville Hanna; New-Way Christian; Donna North

Pool B

PSJA Memorial; Weslaco East; Brownsville Vets; Hidalgo

Pool C

PSJA Southwest; La Feria; McAllen Memorial; Weslaco High

Pool D

PSJA High; Harlingen South; Laredo Alexander; Edcouch-Elsa

Thursday’s Games

Pool Play

At PSJA North High School

Weslaco High 65, PSJA Southwest 38

Laredo Alexander 69, Harlingen South 54

Brownsville Veterans 57, Weslaco East 38

PSJA North 86, Donna North 41

Weslaco High 39, La Feria 22

Brownsville Hanna 66, Donna North 35

McAllen Memorial 63, PSJA Southwest 34

New-Way Christian 110, PSJA North 108, OT

At PSJA Memorial School

PSJA High 66, Edcouch-Elsa 64, OT

McAllen Memorial 41, La Feria 18

New-Way Christian 72, Brownsville Hanna 68, OT

PSJA Memorial 66, Hidalgo 53

Harlingen South 74, PSJA High 44

Weslaco East 64, Hidalgo 61, OT

Laredo Alexander 89, Edcouch-Elsa 55

Brownsville Veterans 60, PSJA Memorial 38

Friday’s Games

At PSJA North High School

New-Way Christian 49, Donna North 47

PSJA North 64, Brownsville Hanna 60

Harlingen South 83, Edcouch-Elsa 70

Brownsville Vets 67, Hidalgo 45

At PSJA Memorial High School

La Feria 34, PSJA Southwest 25

Laredo Alexander 94, PSJA High 64

McAllen Memorial 51, Weslaco High 50

Weslaco East 55, PSJA Memorial 34

Bracket Play

Friday’s Games

Championship Bracket

G1: Weslaco High 88, New-Way Christian 70

G2: McAllen Memorial 80, PSJA North 77

G3: Laredo Alexander vs. Weslaco East, not reported

G4: Brownsville Veterans vs. Harlingen South, not reported

Consolation Bracket

G5: Brownsivlle Hanna 56, PSJA Southwest 32

G6: Donna North 65, La Feria 34

G7: PSJA High vs. Hidalgo, not reported

G8: PSJA Memorial 80, Edcouch-Elsa 63

Saturday’s Games

Championship Brakcet

G9: Weslaco High vs. G4 winner at PSJA North, 11 a.m.

G10: G3 winner vs. McAllen Memorial at PSJA North, 9:30 a.m.

G11: G1 loser vs. G4 loser at PSJA Memorial, 11 a.m.

G12: G3 loser vs. PSJA North at PSJA North, 9:30 a.m.

Consoaltion Championship

G11 winner vs. G12 winner at PSJA North, 2 p.m.

Third-place Game

G9 loser vs. G10 loser at PSJA North, 3:30 p.m.

Championship Game

G9 winner vs. G10 winner at PSJA North, 5 p.m.

Consolation Bracket

G13: Brownsville Hanna vs. PSJA Memorial at PSJA North, 8 a.m.

G14: Donna North vs. G7 winner at PSJA North, 12:30 p.m.

G15: PSJA Southwest vs. Edcouch-Elsa at PSJA Memorial, 8 a.m.

G16: La Feria vs. G7 loser at PSJA Memorial, 12:30 p.m.

Consolation Championship

G15 winner vs. G16 winner at PSJA Memorial, 3:30 p.m.

Third-place Game

G13 loser vs. G14 loser at PSJA Memorial, 2 p.m.

Championship Game

G13 winner vs. G14 winner at PSJA Memorial, 5 p.m.

BY KEVIN NARRO | SPECIAL TO THE MONITOR

MISSION — Going into Friday night’s District 31-5A tilt, Mission Veterans Memorial coach Romeo De La Garza wanted his team to stay within the system and play its style of basketball. It wasn’t until the second half when the Patriots found their form.

Derrick De Leon sparked a 10-0 run to give the Patriots a lead and ignite a 41-29 win over Sharyland Pioneer to improve their district record to 2-0.

“Coach just wanted me to stay calm and play my game,” De Leon said. “I admit I was too anxious in the first half. In the second half is where I got on a roll and played Patriot basketball.”

Both teams got off to a sluggish start. However, Pioneer was able to manage a lead during both the first and second quarter. Pioneer led by as many as 6 points during the second quarter despite not having the services of its top scorer, Jordan Wilson.

“We talked to our guys at halftime, and we wanted them to stay patient in going to the basket,” De La Garza said. “We felt if we got into the paint, we would have a shot. I felt we did a much better job in the second half with our penetration. Our guys really wanted this game. It’s a tough district, and that’s one thing we talked to our guys about.”

Mission Veterans came out swinging on both sides of the ball. Alex Rodriguez teamed up with De Leon to spark a third-quarter run.

Mission Veterans stymied the Pioneer offense during the third quarter, while the Patriots netted 14 points during that frame.

“For the team and I, it has been turnovers,” De Leon said. “Those have been hard to overcome. We normally get better towards the end, and that was the case for us tonight.”

After letting a halftime lead slip away, Mission Veterans outscored Pioneer 29-13 during the second half. Mission Veterans (11-6 overall), winners of four straight, has a home matchup against Laredo Nixon next week.

“They’re a tough team,” De La Garza said, “(so) this was a big road win for us.”

Despite being scoreless during the first half, De Leon was the catalyst in the team’s second-half surge.

“I got a little carried away in the first half, and Coach called me out for that. But, hey, I thank him for that,” De Leon said. “It made me realize what I needed to do. I was forcing shots, and that’s not what I do. I settled down in the second half and got back to doing what I do.”

Indeed, De Leon finished strong, scoring with a team-high 14 points.

As for Pioneer (6-8, 0-2 in district), it must now regroup and prepare for Rio Grande City next week.

VALLEY-BOYS BAKETBALL TOURNAMET SCHEDULE

City of Palms Tournament

At McAllen Rowe

Thursday, Dec. 15

G-1: McAllen High 59, Brownsville Rivera 33

G-2: Edinburg High 54, Donna High 34

G-3: La Joya Palmview 42, McAllen Rowe JV 29

G-4: Los Fresnos 70, Mercedes 49

G-5: Brownsville St. Joseph 50, Edinburg North 48

G-6: Brownsville Pace 58, San Benito 53

G-7: La Joya High 77, Grulla 54

G-8: McAllen Rowe 78, Nuevo Leon 34

Friday, Dec. 16

G-9: Brownsville Rivera vs. Donna High at Gym B, 9:00 a.m.

G-10: McAllen High vs. Edinburg High at Gym A, 10:30 a.m.

G-11: McAllen Rowe JV vs. Mercedes at Gym B, 10:30 a.m.

G-12: La Joya Palmview vs. Los Fresnos at Gym A, 9:00 a.m.

G-13: Edinburg North vs. San Benito at Gym B, 1:30 p.m.

G-14; Brownsville St. Joseph vs. Brownsville Pace at Gym A, 1:30 p.m.

G-15: Grulla vs. Nuevo Leon at Gym B, 12:00 p.m.

G-16: La Joya High vs. McAllen Rowe at Gym A, 12:00 p.m.

G-17: Brownsville Rivera-Donna High loser vs. McAllen Rowe JV-Mercedes loser at Gym B, 4:30 p.m.

G-18: Brownsville Rivera-Donna High winner vs. McAllen Rowe JV-Mercedes winner at Gym A, 3:00 p.m.

G-19: McAllen High-Edinburg High loser vs. La Joya Palmview-Los Fresnos loser at Gym B, 3:00 p.m.

G-20: McAllen High-Edinburg High winner vs. La Joya Palmview-Los Fresnos winner at Gym A, 6:00 p.m.

G-21: Edinburg North-San Benito loser vs. Grulla-Nuevo Leon loser at Gym B, 6:00 p.m.

G-22: Edinburg North-San Benito winner vs. Grulla-Nuevo Leon winner at Gym A, 4:30 p.m.

G-23: Brownsville St. Joseph-Brownsville Pace loser vs. La Joya High-McAllen Rowe loser at Gym B, 7:30 p.m.

G-24: Brownsville St. Joseph-Brownsville Pace winner vs. La Joya High-McAllen Rowe winner at Gym A, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 17

G-25: G-17 loser vs. G-21 loser at Gym B, 10:30 a.m.

G-26: G-17 winner vs. G-21 winner at Gym A, 10:30 a.m.

G-27: G-19 loser vs. G-23 loser at Gym B, 12:00 p.m.

G-28: G-19 winner vs. G-23 winner at Gym A, 12:00 p.m.

G-29: G-18 loser vs. G-22 loser at Gym B, 1:30 p.m.

Consolation Championship

G-30: G-18 winner vs. G-22 winner at Gym A, 1:30 p.m.

Third-Place Game

G-31: G-20 loser vs. G-24 winner at Gym A, 3:00 p.m.

Championship Game

G-32: G-20 winner vs. G-24 winner at Gym A, 4:30 p.m.

PSJA Tri-City Classic

Pool A

PSJA North; Brownsville Hanna; New-Way Christian; Donna North

Pool B

PSJA Memorial; Weslaco East; Brownsville Vets; Hidalgo

Pool C

PSJA Southwest; La Feria; McAllen Memorial; Weslaco High

Pool D

PSJA High; Harlingen South; Laredo Alexander; Edcouch-Elsa

Thursday’s Games

Pool Play

At PSJA North High School

Weslaco High 65, PSJA Southwest 38

Laredo Alexander 69, Harlingen South 54

Brownsville Veterans 57, Weslaco East 38

PSJA North 86, Donna North 41

Weslaco High 39, La Feria 22

Brownsville Hanna 66, Donna North 35

McAllen Memorial 63, PSJA Southwest 34

New-Way Christian 110, PSJA North 108, OT

At PSJA Memorial School

PSJA High 66, Edcouch-Elsa 64, OT

McAllen Memorial 41, La Feria 18

New-Way Christian 72, Brownsville Hanna 68, OT

PSJA Memorial 66, Hidalgo 53

Harlingen South 74, PSJA High 44

Weslaco East 64, Hidalgo 61, OT

Laredo Alexander 89, Edcouch-Elsa 55

Brownsville Veterans 60, PSJA Memorial 38

Friday’s Games

At PSJA North High School

Donna North vs. New-Way Christian, 9 a.m.

PSJA North vs. Brownsville Hanna, 10:30 a.m.

Harlingen South vs. Edcouch-Elsa, Noon

Hidalgo vs. Brownsville Vets, 1:30 p.m.

At PSJA Memorial High School

PSJA Southwest vs. La Feria, 9:00 a.m.

PSJA High vs. Laredo Alexander, 10:30 a.m.

Weslaco vs. McAllen Memorial, Noon

PSJA Memorial vs. Weslaco East, 1:30 p.m.

Bracket Play

Friday’s Games

Championship Bracket

G1: Pool A Team 1 vs. Pool C Team 2 at PSJA North, 3 p.m.

G2: Pool C Team 1 vs. Pool A Team 2 at PSJA North, 4:30 p.m.

G3: Pool D Team 1 vd. Pool B Team 2 at PSJA High, 6 p.m.

G4: Pool B Team 1 vs. Pool D Team 2 at PSJA North, 7:30 p.m.

Consolation Bracket

G5: Pool A Team 3 vs. Pool C Team 4 at PSJA Memorial, 3 p.m.

G6: Pool C Team 3 vs. Pool A Team 4 at PSJA Memorial, 4:30 p.m.

G7: Pool D Team 3 vs. Pool B Team 4 at PSJA Memorial, 6 p.m.

G8: Pool B Team 3 vs. Pool D Team 4 at PSJA Memorial, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday’s Games

Championship Brakcet

G9: G1 winner vs. G4 winner at PSJA North, 11 a.m.

G10: G3 winner vs. G2 winner at PSJA North, 9:30 a.m.

G11: G1 loser vs. G4 loser at PSJA Memorial, 11 a.m.

G12: G3 loser vs. G2 loser at PSJA North, 9:30 a.m.

Consoaltion Championship

G11 winner vs. G12 winner at PSJA North, 2 p.m.

Third-place Game

G9 loser vs. G10 loser at PSJA North, 3:30 p.m.

Championship Game

G9 winner vs. G10 winner at PSJA North, 5 p.m.

Consolation Bracket

G13: G5 winner vs. G8 winner at PSJA North, 8 a.m.

G14: G6 winner vs. G7 winner at PSJA North, 12:30 p.m.

G15: G5 loser vs. G8 loser at PSJA Memorial, 8 a.m.

G16: G6 loser vs. G7 loser at PSJA Memorial, 12:30 p.m.

Consolation Championship

G15 winner vs. G16 winner at PSJA Memorial, 3:30 p.m.

Third-place Game

G13 loser vs. G14 loser at PSJA Memorial, 2 p.m.

Championship Game

G13 winner vs. G14 winner at PSJA Memorial, 5 p.m.