By ANDREW CRUM, Staff Writer
CORPUS CHRISTI — Brownsville Veterans Memorial experienced déjà vu.
For the second time in two years, the Lady Chargers faced Laredo Alexander in the playoffs, and, unfortunately for them, they experienced the same pain they felt at the end of last season. Brownsville Veterans’ season ended with a 54-37 loss to the Lady Bulldogs in an area-round playoff game Friday.
Brownsville Veterans (26-9) got off to a great start with a 5-1 run to open the first quarter. Hannah Meyers opened the game with a 3-pointer and Jordan Rudd followed with a jumper. After the Lady Bulldogs tied the game, Briana Cortez hit a 3-pointer to give the Lady Chargers an 8-5 lead. It was their last lead of the game.
Last year’s game came down to defense and this year’s rematch was no different, except for one thing. Laredo Alexander used its defense to spark its offense. The Lady Bulldogs went on a 9-0 run, capped by a 3-pointer by Rhena Esqueda to take a 14-9 lead.
“I think we had 12 or 15 turnovers in the first quarter,” Brownsville Veterans coach Valentin Paz said. “I’ve been talking about defense, defense, defense. Their defense is what turned the tide.”
Including a bucket by Melissa Lopez to end the first, Laredo Alexander used an 11-0 run to pull away, giving it a 25-9 lead midway through the second quarter.
“We graduated eight seniors last year, and we knew we had some young kids coming up that were going to be relentless,” Laredo Alexander coach Gilberto Cardenas said. “That’s been our theme all year long (on defense). We take pride in holding teams under 20 in the first half, and we knew we were going to have to throw some bodies at Jordan(Rudd).”
Cortez scored eight of her 11 points during the second to help the Lady Chargers keep pace, but they trailed 34-21 at the break.
The Lady Chargers were more effective on defense during the second half, but Laredo Alexander kept pace as Dannia Gonzalez had six points in the third quarter. Meyers had eight straight points during the fourth quarter for Brownsville Veterans, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the first-half deficit.
Paz thought his team’s offensive woes emphasized the effective defense by Laredo Alexander.
“Their pressure was just tremendous,” he said. “Their defense makes you feel uncomfortable. They did a great job, they were well prepared. We just didn’t execute.”
Meyers finished with 11 points and four rebounds, and Rudd was held to four points but added five rebounds, four steals and four assists for Brownsville Veterans.
Aside from the defense, the Lady Bulldogs’ bench was effective. Led by Gonzalez, who finished with team-high 10 points, Laredo Alexander outscored its counterparts from Brownsville Veterans 33-4.
“We have different personnel packages,” Cardenas said. “We see the flow of a game, and we want to make sure we get the kids in there that are producing. Our bench was huge. It’s been huge for us all year long.”
Dominique Campos had eight points and three rebounds, Valerie Lopez finished with seven points and three steals, and Melissa Lopez and Esqueda added six points apiece for Laredo Alexander.
Paz told his team after the game he understands the disappointment, but that he wanted them to have pride.
“We’re building this program year by year and bit by bit,” he said. “You’ve added to the legacy of (Brownsville) Veterans basketball. Be proud of that. Isn’t not what we wanted, but be proud.Your character speaks volumes of the women that you are.
“That’s why we’ve been able to accomplish what we have accomplished the last couple of years.”
Andrew Crum covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him at (956) 982-6629 or via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @andrewmcrum.