After falling in the TAPPS Class 2A regional championships last season, the Harvest Christian Eagles entered the 2022 campaign with a state-or-bust mentality.
Prior to the season’s start, Eagles head coach Jaime Gonzalez predicted what it would take for his team to hoist the championship trophy.
“I felt all along since the end of last year, to go all the way we’d have to knock off these two teams, Shiner St. Paul and Hallettsville Sacred Heart,” Gonzalez said. “They’re kind of the towers on the northside of the bracket.”
Gonzalez’s predictions have played out almost exactly. The Eagles took down Hallettsville Sacred Heart 65-60 during the area round, followed by a dominating 54-18 win in the regional championship over Allen Academy to punch their ticket to the state tournament.
Up next for the Eagles is a rematch against the team that knocked them out of the postseason last season, the Shiner St. Paul Cardinals.
Tip-off for the TAPPS Class 2A state semifinal is slated for 4:30 p.m. today at University High in Waco.
“We got one of them down,” Gonzalez said. “Now we got this rematch with Shiner. We’ve worked hard all season to get ready for this. Shiner not necessarily exposed some of our weaknesses last year, but we knew what we weren’t strong at, and Shiner capitalized off it last year.”
During their matchup last season, the Cardinals used their physical play and speed to stun the Eagles, defeating Harvest Christian 45-32.
To prepare for a potential rematch against the Cardinals Gonzalez compiled a nonconference schedule filled with UIL Class 4A, 5A and 6A opponents.
The Eagles held their own against the bigger competition, going 20-6 against UIL opponents, each of their six losses coming to postseason teams.
“It was kind of a blessing in disguise,” Gonzalez said. “We turned that weakness into a strength. … They (Shiner St. Paul) just showed us we had to get a little tougher physically.
“I think it served us well playing bigger schools. Some of those games we kind of got beat up a little bit. We were outmanned. They were more physical. … I don’t think we’ll face anybody in this final four tournament tougher than some of those schools. Even though we may have gotten a loss on our record, overall, I think it got us better, so I count it as a win.”
The sophomore backcourt of Lexi Garcia and Ashley Gonzalez, who are averaging a combined 35.5 points, lead Harvest Christian.
Gonzalez, the head coach’s daughter, serves as the Eagles’ top offensive threat, averaging 21.4 points per game. Garcia gives Harvest Christian a solid one-two punch, averaging 14.1 points.
During their regional championship against Allen Academy, it was Garcia taking control with the defense focused on slowing Gonzalez down, pouring in 20 points.
“What I like about them is there is no selfishness there,” the elder Gonzalez said. “They know what their game plan is. They know what they’re supposed to do. They also know their responsibilities. If one is facing a double team or playing against the team’s best defender, the other must step it up. We’ve just been very fortunate that when that happens the other person is able to make it count. I’m hoping that can carry on to this last part of the season.”
Today’s victor advances to the TAPPS Class 2A state championship, scheduled for 6 p.m. Fridayat West High in West.
The Cardinals are eyeing a return to the state title game after finishing as runner-up last year. Meanwhile, the Eagles are hoping to break into the championship game for the first time in program history.
“So far everything has fallen into place,” Gonzalez said. “Now we got this game with Shiner and we’re really looking forward to it. We’re confident. Not overly confident, but confident. We know that if we play our style of game and dictate the pace, we’ll like the outcome.”