By ADAM KUJAWSKI, Staff Writer
Whoever blinks first loses, and the Brownsville Veterans Memorial Chargers didn’t blink.
With 42 seconds remaining, the Chargers led the Harlingen High Cardinals 52-48, and the game shifted to the charity stripe.
Brownsville Veterans attempted eight free throws during the final 30 seconds and made each of them, securing a 60-55 win over the Cardinals on Tuesday night in Brownsville.
“I think our defense stood up because I think (Harlingen High has) one of the best offenses in the league,” Brownsville Veterans coach Larry Gibson said. “(Juan Cerrrllo) played real good today, but our key was to shut down (Jordan Wilson), and I think we did a good job of shutting him down.”
After a dominant third quarter in which the Chargers (17-11, 6-4 in District 32-6A) scored 18 points and after which held a 41-30 lead, the Cardinals (17-11, 3-7) stormed back during the fourth.
With 4:23 remaining in the game and trailing by 13, Harlingen High scored eight consecutive points to pull to within five.
The teams battled the game out from the free-throw line during the final 1:30, attempting a combined 17 shots during that span.
Though the Cardinals made all six of their free throws and hit three field goals for 13 points down the stretch, the Chargers’ eight points from the line late ensured the victory.
Brownsville Veterans scored early and often during the first. Jeremiah Meyers led the way with nine points as the Chargers netted 17 during the opening period.
What started as a prolific offensive attack for the Chargers throughout the first quarter quickly deteriorated in the second.Brownsville Veterans made just one field goal and three free throws the remainder of the half.
Similar offensive struggles by the Cardinals, though, helped the Chargers lead 22-19 at halftime. Despite a strong first quarter by Cerrillo, who scored 10 of Harlingen High’s 12 points during the frame, the Cardinals scored just seven points in the second.
Cerrillo’s foul trouble hindered his ability to make a significant impact beyond the first quarter.
“They got off to a little better start than we did,” Harlingen High coach Greg Yates said. “We did an outstanding job there in the second quarter to make it a three-point game, but they got in their runs again and we got in some foul trouble.”
The Chargers’ Aaron Villarreal led all scorers with 19 points and Meyers added 11. Cerrillo scored 15 points for the Cardinals, and Wilson and Elijah Rhodes chipped in 10 points apiece.
Adam Kujawski covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him at (956) 982-6663 or via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @adamkujo1.