By STEFAN MODRICH, Staff Writer
LOS FRESNOS — After conquering the Rio Grande Valley’s biggest stage, Los Fresnos has a chance to continue on its historic path today in the regional tournament at Littleton Gymnasium in San Antonio.
Next up for the No. 20 Falcons (33-3, 10-0 District 32-6A) is a semifinal showdown with Northside Brandeis.
“The guys are relaxed, they treat each game like a regular game, believe it or not,” Los Fresnos coach Marco Hinojosa said. “They live for these types of moments. They’re excited to be going to regionals. They know they’re not going there to bow down, they’re going there to compete. We’re excited for the challenge.”
Elian Gonzalez, the team leader in assists, said the program is setting the bar high and that chemistry has helped guide the Falcons through their deep playoff run.
“Our next goal now is obviously to win the regional tournament, advance to the Elite Eight and go to state,” Gonzalez said. “And win that ring for the team and myself and the coaches and the city itself.”
Los Fresnos boasts two of the top 50 scorers in Class 6A in freshman Gerry Martinez (16.6 points per game and 2.5 steals per game) and senior Ricky Altamirano (15.7 points per game and 7.9 rebounds per game).
So do the Broncos (31-3, 16-2 District 28-6A), with senior guards Tanner Brown and Kyle Schaefer both averaging 15.4 points per game.
Brown is Brandeis’ best all-around player, picking up six rebounds per game. Other key contributors to look for are senior Ty Fontentot (8.4 points per game and 5.1 rebounds per game) and junior Gavin Gibson (10 points per game and 2.4 assists per game).
“They’re 31-3 for a reason,” Hinojosa said. “They defend very well, they crash the boards very well, they run their sets very well. They’re well-coached. They’ve got a lot of shooters, they can shoot from the outside. So we’re going to try to find a way to slow them down.”
One of the keys to the success of this Los Fresnos squad has been its transposable nature.
Senior Tony Aldrighetti was the latest unsung hero to step up in the third round to top Edinburg Vela 62-49, adding 12 points to go with Luis Gonzalez’s 14.
“This team is special,” Hinojosa said. “Different guys have led us in scoring on different nights. Tony doesn’t look the part, and people think he can’t play basketball. He can score if needed, he hit a couple huge 3s for us. Luis Gonzalez does the same thing. These guys are very unselfish. They don’t care about who scores or when they score or how they score, they’re about the team and (put the) team first.”
Aldrighetti noted against Vela he was more aggressive in attacking the rim and taking open shots, and that he and his teammates continue to empower each other to do so.
“The way we play, all we have to do is trust each other, and the offense will come easy for us,” Aldrighetti said.
Martinez carried the Falcons with 22 points in a 48-45 win over Laredo Alexander, and five Los Fresnos players scored in double figures in a 68-49 victory.
“I’ve been put in different situations,” Martinez said. “Playing AAU ball has definitely helped me. I’m really comfortable with the team, so it makes it pretty easy for me now. Stepping onto the big stage is not so much of a big deal.”
The significance of the opportunity Los Fresnos has to play its way into the record books isn’t lost on any of the Falcons.
“Hopefully we get past the Sweet 16, we’d be the first 6A team in the Valley to go to the Elite Eight,” Martinez said. “That would be really big for us. We’d go down as one of the best teams (in the Rio Grande Valley), and I hope that happens.”
Tipoff between Los Fresnos and Brandeis is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. today.
The winner is set to face the winner of the regional semifinal between Converse Judson and Laredo United at 2 p.m. Saturday in the regional final.