By KEVIN NARRO
Staff Writer
SAN PERLITA — At this weekend’s 9th annual San Perlita Lettermans Club Tournament, the Trojans learned much more than the Xs and Os of basketball.
San Perlita was tested by a tough Weslaco IDEA team and put forth a gut-check performance behind Julian Herrera and Tige Johnson.
After multiple lead changes during the second half and each team answering the other’s shots, it was a late 7-2 run that put the Trojans ahead 77-70 with less than two minutes left in regulation. That helped seal a 78-73 win in the gold bracket, securing a third-place tournament finish.
During the final minutes, Herrera hit a 3, and Johnson sealed the win with a late bucket and shot at the free throw line. The Trojans displayed mental toughness and played physical for four quarters, and rebounded after their loss to the Tarpons in the semifinals earlier in the day.
It is something Trojans coach Nataniel Garza saw as a plus moving forward for his club.
“We had two tough games today, we played a tough Port Isabel team, and what I was concerned with, how would we bounce back after a tough loss?” Garza said. “What the kids showed me today was that they have true character, and they showed that they are able to bounce back physically and mentally. What impressed me the most was that we played tougher and harder than we did earlier today, the kids took it personal and they wanted it and wanted to bounce back, and they did that tonight.”
Herrera, a senior, had a key hand in the win and throughout the tournament.
“I feel great right now. We all came out and played hard, and we all hustled,” Herrera said. “This was the toughest and most physical game we have played all year. (Weslaco Idea was) tough.”
San Perlita went 3-1 over the weekend, with wins against Rio Hondo, Monte Alto.
Along with Johnson and Herrera, junior EJ Nieto found his groove from three-point land. Nieto netted 16 points and nailed four 3s on the night.
“We did well this weekend,” Nieto said. “We learned that we as a team can bounce back together after a loss. I also learned if I keep shooting I will be able to hit my shots. This game was close tonight, and we all wanted it and it showed. At first I wasn’t hitting my shots, but coach wanted me to keep shooting and I listened to him, and I just kept shooting.”
Rio Hondo, on the flip side, went 2-2 over the tournament. The young Bobcats picked up wins against Monte Alto on Thursday and dropped their second game to San Perlita.
The Bobcats bounced back with a 60-34 win over Bishop to wrap up tournament play.
“We enjoyed coming to this tournament, there is always great competition,” Bobcats coach Mike Alvarez said. “Our goal was to get better and get a lot of guys playing time. We have two freshmen on our team, and we are working on getting them accustomed to playing with the older guys on the team.”
Against Bishop, Jabez Villarreal scored 22 points, and Daniel Garcia netted 11 points in the win.
Rio Hondo next travels to Santa Rosa at 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 24.