PHARR — District 32-6A boys squads swept District 31-6A in the bi-district round of water polo’s inaugural season as a UIL-sanctioned sport Tuesday at the City of Pharr Natatorium.
Harlingen High and Sharyland Pioneer led off the opening round of the playoffs with a hard-fought thriller that ended with the Cardinals on top 11-8.
The Cardinals entered as the No. 4 seed from 32-6A to take down 31-6A’s district champion Diamondbacks.
“We were the fourth seed, but I know we were in a really tough district, so we were really prepared. We were in some really close games, but I think they saved their best ball for right now,” Harlingen High head coach Danny Euresti said.
Kristopher Cantu led the Cardinals with five goals, while teammates Noah Barron, Joshua Bielicke and Julian Peña scored two goals apiece.
“From the beginning of the year, I didn’t think we’d do so good. Slowly, we started organizing our team really well and throughout the game we got settled,” Cantu said. “We went from the fourth seed to making it to the second round. We were basically underdogs the whole game.”
The Diamondbacks trailed 11-3 entering the fourth quarter and outscored the Cardinals 5-0 over the final seven minutes. Pioneer head coach Arnold Perez said he was proud of his team’s growth in their first year playing water polo and winning a district title in the process.
“I know they played with their hearts and gave it everything they got. We just started a little slow, and then for them to come back like that, I’m very proud of them,” Perez said. “I told them, ‘We just touched the ball in August, these guys have been doing it for six years, look at where you guys are.’ I just wish we had another quarter. We’re going to carry this onto next year and just learn from it.”
HARLINGEN SOUTH 17, MISSION HIGH 6: At Pharr, the Hawks and Eagles played a tightly contested first quarter ending 2-1 in favor of South.
The Hawks then stepped on the gas pedal to create distance between them and the Eagles for an 11-point victory. Harlingen South will face San Antonio Stevens in the area round. Match details are to be determined.
Frankie Rodriguez led the Hawks with six goals and Frank Pimentel had five.
“Our teamwork was amazing. We had a lot of passing, a lot of shooting. I’m looking forward to San Antonio,” South’s Obed Johnston said. “It’s going to be our first time going there in our first year. I’m just happy to be able to experience this, especially our seniors. They’ve worked so hard for four years so we made it happen for them. Now, we’re moving on to San Antonio and I’m looking forward to it.”
All four Harlingen CISD water polo teams — Cardinals boys and girls and Hawks boys and girls — are moving on to the area round of the playoffs.
“I’m proud of Harlingen. It’s the first UIL year and it’s amazing to be able to represent Harlingen in our first UIL water polo season and go represent them as we go play San Antonio teams in the very first year,” South head coach Hector Castaneda Jr. said.
PSJA NORTH 21, LOS FRESNOS 7: At Pharr, the District 32-6A champion Raiders rolled past the No. 4-seeded Falcons from 31-6A to advance to the area round.
“We had not seen the Los Fresnos team at all, but they handled themselves the best that they could and I think my boys just accommodated and reacted in a very good way,” PSJA North head coach Leslie Richardson said. “They were a little frustrated with some calls, but I told them we can’t always concentrate on that. We have to play smart no matter and I think they let it go and did well.”
Josue Rocha and Jayden Ybarra scored five goals apiece. Josiah Padilla added four goals and Kaleb Dallas scored twice.
“It gives us a little motivator boost heading into the second round, but we have to continue to play good throughout every round,” Dallas said. “I just want to see us shine and go far in the playoffs. If we keep working as a team, we’ll be fine.”
PSJA North is scheduled to face San Antonio Holmes in the next round.
PSJA HIGH 16, SHARYLAND HIGH 8: At Pharr, Christopher Gonzales sparked a second quarter surge as the Bears secured their spot in the area round of the postseason with a win over the Rattlers. Gonzales finished with a game-high eight goals to lead PSJA High.
“We came out with our gameplan, but it was a sluggish first quarter. We kind of went away from our gameplan, but we made adjustments in the second quarter and we never looked back,” PSJA High head coach Pedro Saavedra said. “The best team won today.”
PSJA High’s boys join the girls team in advancing to the area round of the playoffs. Second-round match details are to be determined.
“They’ve been working very hard since they were in the sixth grade learning this game. This is just a testament, if you put in the time, good things will happen,” Saavedra said.