By ROY HESS, Staff Writer
The Brownsville Veterans Memorial Lady Chargers were considered to be one of the Rio Grande Valley’s top teams entering the girls basketball season, and they’re certainly living up to expectations.
Heading into the holiday break, the Lady Chargers are 13-5 and 3-0 in District 32-6A, which ties them for the district lead with Harlingen High. The Lady Chargers are coming off of last Friday’s 60-33 district win over Hanna.
“The girls are moving the ball real well and becoming more aggressive (on offense),” Lady Chargers coach Valentin Paz said. “Every night it seems someone is stepping up to lead the team in scoring. We have good (offensive) balance, and that’s what I like the most.”
Guards Jordan Rudd and Briana Cortez are leading the team by averaging 14 and 13 points per game, respectively. Sarah Sandoval, a post, is leading the team in rebounding and on defense, while Hannah Meyers, a freshman guard, is providing “instant offense” off the bench, Paz said.
Daniela Diaz and Krista Lopez are two other guards who are strong contributors on defense, Paz said.
“Yes, the girls are focused, and they know what we need to achieve,” Paz said. “They know it takes hard work and that we have areas where we need to improve. (With that type of attitude,) it makes my job a lot easier.”
The next action for the Brownsville Veterans girls will be Monday and Tuesday at a tournament in McAllen hosted by McAllen Memorial. The Lady Chargers will go against Edinburg Vela in the opening round Monday.
Brownsville Veterans finished second in district one season ago with a 12-4 record behind league champion Harlingen High. The Lady Chargers advanced two rounds in the state playoffs before finishing with a 28-8 overall record.
With many of their key players back, the goal for the Lady Chargers is to at least duplicate their showing of last season and hopefully do even better.
“We’re looking forward to the rest of the season,” Paz said. “The girls know it takes work (to succeed).”
STILL SOLID
One season after the St. Joseph Academy girls basketball team went 34-3 to record its best showing in school history, the Lady Bloodhounds are doing quite well, thank you.
It’s pretty much a new team. The Lady Bloodhounds are off to a 9-6 start and coming off last Friday’s non-district win at home against IDEA Frontier. They next play Jan. 6 at home against IDEA Quest. TAPPS district play begins Jan. 17 at home against San Antonio St. Anthony’s.
Things have been coming together lately for the Lady Bloodhounds, coach Cynthia Martinez said.
“At the beginning of the season, it was about three or four weeks before we had everybody all together (on the team),” Martinez said. “We’re starting to gel now and get the kinks out. Our rotation is becoming solid, and I’m happy because our turnovers are down.
“We’re playing some big games (such as a 54-52 overtime loss on a last-second shot at Harlingen High Dec. 9), and that’s giving us a lot of confidence,” Martinez added. “With the meat of our schedule coming up, I hope it carries over.”
Guards Valeria Tapia and Alison Alvarez have been leading the team in scoring, and Tapia, who at times plays post, has been a strong rebounder, Martinez said. Guard Diana Garcia has contributed in a big way defensively, Martinez said, as have posts Franchesca Huerta and Nicole Carre.
The veteran SJA coach said her team is developing its own identity after having come off such an impressive finish one season ago.
“These girls aren’t thinking about what the team did last year (and dwelling too much on it),” Martinez said. “Last year was last year, and this is this year. Last year’s team taught them some things, and they’re applying those lessons to this year.
“These girls are picking up their games, and it’s been a fun thing to watch,” Martinez added.