By CLAIRE CRUZ, Special to RGVSports.com
Fans can always bet on a rivalry game to bring out the intensity, and the jam-packed crowd on hand for another edition of the Bird Bowl saw a high-energy game Friday night.
The Cardinals and Hawks exchanged buckets and body blows in a matchup that was tied or at a one-possession difference most of the night. Solid defense and clutch free throws down the stretch helped Harlingen High find enough separation to earn a 57-52 victory.
“We played with excellent energy. Both teams wanted the game so badly and played so hard,” Harlingen High coach Clayton Cretors said. “Basketball’s a game of runs, and we made a run and they made a run. I’m proud of the resiliency.”
The first half was pretty even, with both teams getting good penetration and scoring down low. South bigs Drake Everrett and Brady Bennett established themselves early with strong offensive moves and good rebounding.
Michael Castillo led the way for Harlingen High early, scoring nine first-half points to keep his team within reach as it went into the locker room tied at 19. The Cardinals went on a big scoring run late in the third and carried their momentum into the fourth quarter to open a sizeable lead. Harlingen High played really tight defense that forced several turnovers and ate clock on offense.
But the Hawks came roaring back as Alex Rodriguez came to life with 10 second-half points. South turned up the aggression and hit huge shots to tie the game at 45 with just more than one minute to play. The Cardinals, however, were unfazed by the raucous crowd at the free throw line to sure up the win.
Castillo led Harlingen High with 15 points, and Rodriguez matched that tally for South.
“I was proud of the effort, they fought back in the fourth when they could’ve easily folded … but credit to Harlingen for making plays to pull away,” South coach Brian Molina said.