HARLINGEN — Top ranked Harlingen High hosted crosstown rivals Harlingen South in their first district showdown of the season Friday night.
The Lady Cardinals (22-3, 7-0) came into the contest red hot and on a mission, winning the contest 56-41 as they continue to steam roll thought the district.
“The way the girls played tonight was just awesome,” said Harlingen head coach Ashley Moncivaiz. “The reason I say awesome is because they played together and went after those 50/50 balls.”
Sami Quilantan started the game by netting the first six points of the match and helping the Lady Cardinals jump out to a 12-0 lead. Harlingen pressured on both sides of the ball forcing South (17-9, 5-2) to commit numerous turnovers and take unwanted shots.
Ruayda Bouls put up the Lady Hawks’ first points of the match with 3:48 left in the period as the Lady Cardinals dominated the first quarter with an impressive offensive and defensive display.
South regained some of its rhythm in the second period, going on a 10-0 offensive spurt behind senior Bouls and Soki Salazar.
The Lady Hawks cut Harlingen’s lead to eight in the middle of the second period. However the Lady Cardinals regained control with five minutes left in the half and went on a 13-4 run to find themselves up 31-14 heading into the break.
“The girls start doing to much fancy stuff and I have to remind them to stay simple, because the simple ball is the key to our success,” said.
“(Sometimes) we do too much dribbling and too much passing and all these thing to force turnovers. I tell them to just keep it simple.”
Quilantan had 10 of her total 16 points in the first half and was 2-3 on free-throw attempts.
“Sami gives us that energy, that spark and everybody follows her energy,” said Moncivaiz. “She a very vital piece of our team that brings that energy and drive, and the girls follow that.”
Elvira Fraga and Addison Dicky each contributed 10 points.
Both teams traded shots to start the third quarter and fought hard splitting the points 14-14. South fought their way back into the game and outscored the Lady Cardinals 13-11 in the fourth, but it was to late in the game as Masissa Gasca scored five of her 11 points late in the fourth to put the game away.
Bouls had a game-high 21 points and was the piece that sparked every offensive burst for the Lady Hawks while teammate Leeanna Ledesma contributed five points.
For the second straight week team starter Kayla Perez sit out after sustaining an injury in the Los Fresnos game.