FREDDY GONZALEZ | Staff Writer
HARLINGEN — After defeating Harlingen South 47-24 in an incredibly physical game on Tuesday, the Harlingen Lady Cardinals hoisted the District 32-6A championship trophy at the Lady Cardinals gymnasium.
It marked the second straight season the Lady Cards had gone undefeated in district play, finishing the 2015-16 regular season with an unblemished 14-0 league mark and a staggering 32-1 overall record. The Lady Cards closed out the regular season riding an unbelievable 22-game win streak as they begin the postseason next week.
But Tuesday’s contest was more than just a game between two crosstown rivals; it was a preparation for what’s ahead.
“I kept telling the team that it’s not about just about today’s opponent because each game that we play is preparation for the playoffs,” said Harlingen head coach Ashley Moncivaiz. “It’s to see what are the areas that we need to keep improving on.
“I told them they can’t be satisfied because once you get satisfied it very easy not to work hard.”
With the win, Harlingen will play District 31-6A fourth seed Edinburg North in the bi-district round. Harlingen South, meanwhile, despite the loss, has a date with PSJA North in the playoffs. South lost to PSJA North in the first round of the postseason last year, 63-54.
After starting the game on a 6-2 run, the Lady Cardinals didn’t let up. Six first-quarter points by senior Marissa Gasca gave Harlingen a 14-5 first quarter advantage, while Harlingen South’s Leeanne Ledesma’s layup and a Vanessa Sentillan three-point play put the Lady Hawks on the board.
In the second, sophomore Nadia Flores took over the offense and supplied the Lady Cardinals with six of her team-high 13 points in the period as Harlingen kept control the game and a took a 22-10 lead going into the break.
“She’s becoming more focused and she’s is finding her role on the team,” said Moncivaiz of Flores. “I think in the beginning you’re still young and you’re coming in being a starter from last year coming off the bench is a little bit different. But now seeing what you’re potential is, you can tell that she is finally improving and knowing her role in the team. She knows when she needs to step up and what she needs to do for the team.
“Now she’s more aggressive, her confidence is building and now she attacks the basket more.”
After the half, Harlingen refused to let its foot off the gas, turning a 12-point halftime lead into third quarter 28-point splurge. As the Lady Cardinals outscored the Lady Hawks 19-3 to finish the third period ahead 41-13.
Sami Quilantan was the only other player in double digits, finishing the night with 10 points.