HARLINGEN — Another season, another district title for the Harlingen High Cardinals — five to be exact.
The Cardinals defeated the Los Fresnos Falcons 58-48 to finish their perfect District 32-6A campaign Tuesday night at Harlingen High School.
It is the fourth undefeated district title in the past five seasons for Harlingen High and head coach Ashley Moncivaiz.
“I think it is great to say, we won a fifth straight title,” Moncivaiz said. “This one was special because we knew it was going to be tough. We had to make sure we came together as a team and be able to lean on each other to be able to win the title.”
Harlingen High (23-10, 10-0) was led on the night by senior Rosa Zapata and her 17 points. Senior Juli Bryant put up 14 and another senior, Layla Salas, finished with 10 points as the Cardinals comfortably saw out the game in the fourth quarter.
“I am never surprised with them,” Moncivaiz said. “I think it is because of the work we put into it.”
Los Fresnos center Aylene Ortega scored a game-high 22 points for the Falcons. Senior Olivia Parra chipped in with 13 points. Ortega reached 1,000 career points for the Falcons.
“She has been our anchor down low,” Los Fresnos head coach Alex Lucio said. “She could score inside and outside, so it was big for her to score that 1,000.”
Anytime Los Fresnos crept back in the game, Harlingen High responded. The Falcons cut it to six during the second quarter, but the Cardinals went back up 10 at the break. Los Fresnos (26-10, 5-5) fought back during the third quarter, and Harlingen High again answered the call to go back up 10 to end the third quarter.
Zapata came out firing for the Cardinals. The senior hit two 3-pointers in the opening minutes to help Harlingen High to a 10-0 start to the game.
Parra responded for the Falcons by attacking the basket. Parra found Ortega to cut the lead to 10-9 before Harlingen High made another run to go up 21-12 after one quarter.
Next up for Los Fresnos is Edinburg High in the bi-district round at a time and place to be determined. Harlingen High awaits either Edinburg North or Mission High, depending on results.