FREDDY GONZALEZ | Staff Writer
RIO HONDO — District 32-4A’s top two teams were in action at Bobcat Gymnasium Tuesday night.
Rio Hondo and La Feria collided for the second time this season with district implications on the line. Unfortunately for the Lionettes, Rio Hondo’s offensive muscle was too much to contain as the Lady Bobcats won 47-34 to remain unbeaten in district with two games remaining in the regular season.
“I thought we did really well tonight. I think this was probably the best we’ve played all year,” said Rio Hondo head coach Robert Jaramillo.
“La Feria has got a real good team with great kids and athletes. Coach Martinez has done a really good job with his girls, but any time we can win against La Feria, it’s big.”
The first encounter between the two went down to final whistle with Rio Hondo getting the best of it 31-30.
The Lady Bobcats (22-6, 12-0) have breezed through district with a teamwork philosophy.
“These girls have played together for a long time so they’re very unselfish and they will share the ball,” said Jaramillo. “Sometimes to a fault and they over pass, but today they came together and played good.”
Andrea Rodriguez once again played a big part in the team’s victory. The senior scored 17 points with 10 coming in the first half.
“She’s huge (for us),” Jaramillo said. “If she struggles we struggle. But she’s been real consistent this year and she’s not afraid to shoot from outside. She’s a senior and she’s going to do what it takes.”
Rio Hondo struck first and fast, jumping out to a quick 5-0 start. However the Lionettes rallied back to end the first quarter tied 8-8.
Samantha Mendoza gave La Feria (23-6, 10-2) the lead for a brief moment to start the second. However, Rio Hondo began to hit its shots and went on a 16-7 run to end the half up 24-17.
Lori Jaramillo had another stellar night scoring 13 points while Myah Salas contributed nine for the night.
Lionettes star Illiana Ayala scored six points in the third quarter when she hit an outside shot to cut Rio Hondo’s lead to five. The junior standout netted 16 points in the contest.
“She’s been on the varsity squad since she was a freshman and she’s really matured a lot,” said La Feria head coach Angel Martinez. “She has a lot of heart, a motor that never stops and hates to lose.
“She gets after it and when she’s focused she does a really good job.”
Rio Hondo has a chance to claim the district title on Friday when they travel to Grulla.
La Feria had a bad shooting night getting outscored every quarter except the first.
“We’re a pretty solid defensive team and today we didn’t play up to expectations,” said Martinez. “We held them to 30 points the last time when we lost by one. Unfortunately, the ball just didn’t go in and I know we are a lot better scoring team that we showed today, but it’s just frustrating when the ball just doesn’t go in. It just wasn’t our night tonight.”
The Lionettes have two games remaining on the schedule, and play Grulla on Tuesday in the regular season finale.