By EDWARD SEVERN, Staff Writer
BROWNSVILLE — The Harlingen High Lady Cardinals defeated the Brownsville Hanna Lady Eagles 58-26 on Tuesday in the final game of the regular season for both teams.
Harlingen High finished the season 23-9 overall and 12-2 in district, and is the co-District 32-6A champion with Weslaco High.
“Great win,” Harlingen High coach Ashley Moncivaiz said. “We were able to get all of our kids out there and finish off district with a win.”
Lady Cardinals senior guards Avery Hinojosa and Emery Scoggins both were hot from downtown early. A 3-pointer by Scoggins from the top of the arc gave Harlingen High a 21-4 lead.
Scoggins also scored easy baskets off of turnovers created by the Lady Cardinals’ defense.
Harlingen High’s Juli Bryant found success at the rim during the first half. Bryant’s points in the paint and free throws also helped fuel the solid lead built by the Lady Cardinals, who went into the half up 35-10.
“I felt really great coming into the game,” Bryant said. “We knew it was not going to be the toughest game, but we needed to see where we were at. I have not played so nice and fluid like this in a while. I am glad that I got my groove back.”
During the second half, Harlingen High continued where it left off in the first. Points off turnovers were common, and Hinojosa and Bryant benefited from those points to give the Lady Cardinals a 51-20 lead going into the fourth quarter.
“We were able to come out in the second round of district and be stronger,” Moncivaiz said. “We had two losses in the first round, but it only made us compete harder and go out there and get another title.”
Hinojosa led the Lady Cardinals in scoring with 19 points. Bryant had 14, and Scoggins dropped nine.
“I am really proud of how the girls competed this season,” Hanna coach Luis Gonzalez said of the Lady Eagles. “We play in a really tough district, and we had our ups and downs. I am proud of these girls, and I am looking forward to next year.”