By EDWARD SEVERN, Staff Writer
ALICE — The San Antonio Young Men’s Leadership Academy Lions defeated the Raymondville Bearkats 79-67 in an area-round game Thursday night.
Raymondville erased a double-digit deficit in the fourth quarter to pull within seven points of the lead, but the comeback fell short.
The Lions’ big third quarter propelled them past the Bearkats. YMLA scored 25 points during the period, opening with a 16-0 run.
“We came out cold, they came out hot,” Raymondville coach Rick Tamez said. “We just could not recover from that. We had a run in the fourth, but things do not jell when you are off.”
Raymondville started off strong during the second quarter. YMLA struggled to get back in transition defense and the Bearkats made them pay, going up 24-12.
The Lions responded to tie the game at the buzzer. Guard Brandon Mancillas’ heave from well beyond the halfcourt line went in to give YMLA momentum going into the locker room.
“It was a very successful season for the Bearkats,” Tamez said. “We played one bad quarter. It is tough to know in the playoffs that is one and done.”
Raymondville senior Jayson Cantu finished with 20 points, Jayden Garza had 17 in the first half, Joshua Valdez had 13 and Ethan Tagle dropped 10.
The Bearkats finished the season as District 32-4A champions and with a bi-district playoff win.