BY JON R. LaFOLLETTE | STAFF WRITER
EDINBURG — Ariel Rodriguez understands the circumstances surrounding her senior season at Edinburg Vela, and is coolly undeterred.
The shooting guard knows she’s the go-to scoring threat for the Lady SaberCats, and she recognizes her role as a leader on and off the court. Rodriguez also knows the quest for a second straight district title will not be easy. She’ll face stringent opposition on a nightly basis in one of the Valley’s most competitive collections of teams.
Such a burden could understandably render a mere teenager nervous, rattled and unsure, but not Rodriguez. For her, it’s business as usual.
“I’m pretty confident about this year,” Rodriguez said.
And with good reason.
Last year Rodriguez averaged 10.8 points per game, in addition to 3.4 assists and 3.2 steals. Each statistic ranked in the top 15 in the Valley.
“She’s an outstanding player,” Vela coach Lottie Zarate said. “She has a good feel for the court. Her passes are phenomenal and she’s a great outside shooter.”
Rodriguez’s numbers look to jump this season due to the graduation of Daniela Azubell, the Lady SaberCats leading scorer from a year ago. Azubell was an efficient low-post player who nearly averaged a double-double and perfectly complemented Rodriguez’s long-range attack.
“We looked for each other on the court,” Rodriguez said. “We were friends off the court, so when it was game time we connected well.”
That connection helped lead Vela to a District 30-5A championship and a postseason appearance.
But the new season brings with it a new basketball landscape. Redistricting has placed Vela in a rigorous District 31-5A along with Mission Veterans, Sharyland High, Sharyland Pioneer, Roma, Rio Grande City and Valley View. All but two of those teams sported a winning record in district play last year.
“It’s going to be tough this year,” Zarate said. “For us, this new district is going to be challenging.”
The third-year coach will look to employ a run-and-gun style of play that still emphasizes inside-out basketball. Without a go-to post option at the moment, however, Rodriguez becomes the focal point.
“Coach gives me the freedom (to shoot),” Rodriguez said. “People say I shoot by the volleyball line.”
The trust between player and coach is the result of a two-year relationship that’s produced one of the top programs in the Valley.
“When I first saw her, I knew this young lady had already developed a skill,” Zarate said. “This was her game.”
Rodriguez’s game was one of agility, quick hands and a soft shooting touch.
But just as impressive as Rodriguez’s box score is her adaptability. When the school district rezoned in 2012 because of the addition of Vela, a patchwork of players from across Edinburg came to the Lady SaberCats.
“For her to be able to put the pieces together that year was a big challenge for her and for the coaching staff,” Zarate said.
Rodriguez has been playing basketball since she was four years old.
“I was raised at the local parks and recreation center,” Rodriguez said. “I saw (Edinburg girls basketball coach Rachel) Carmona take her girls to practice over there. I was on the sideline trying to pick up what they were doing.”
And the learning process continues.
“I’ve been working on my defensive side,” Rodriguez said. “I’ve been trying to get quicker and work on rebounding.”
For a player who racks up so many assists, she’s comfortable with letting others handle the ball as well, coming off screens and spacing the defense.
Zarate sees the on court improvement, but also sees development elsewhere.
“The growth for her, that I’ve seen, is the leadership role. She’s taken it by the horns.”
Both Zarate and Rodriguez are modest when it comes to predicting another division crown, but both are optimistic about the Lady SaberCats’ season.
“We take it one game at a time,” Zarate said. “I tell my girls that you don’t want to jinx your season.”
Rodriguez hopes to leave a mark in the same gymnasium that once played host to the Edinburg teams of yesteryear which inspired her.
“Last year we reached the area round of the playoffs, and we’re obviously hoping to go further,” Rodriguez said. “It’s my final year.”
Girls Basketball Preseason Top 10 Rankings
1. Weslaco High
2. Harlingen High
3. Brownsville Veterans Memorial
4. Mission Veterans Memorial
5. Los Fresnos
6. Roma
7. Mercedes
9. Weslaco East
10. Edinburg North