By CLAIRE CRUZ, Staff Writer
LOS FRESNOS — It’s been a few years since the Los Fresnos Lady Falcons have celebrated a playoff win, but they earned that right Tuesday night with a 48-37 victory over Edinburg Vela.
The playoff intensity got the best of both teams during a low-scoring first quarter, but Los Fresnos senior leader Ari Gallardo and rising sophomore Sarahi Jones led a turnaround to clinch the bi-district victory.
“It’s a great feeling, we haven’t won a playoff game in five years, and now we’re so excited for the next round,” Gallardo said. “It’s a rush of excitement. It’s just great to have another day with my team.”
Los Fresnos scored in the opening seconds immediately after winning the tipoff but didn’t find the bucket again until Gallardo hit two free throws with 18 seconds left to play in the first quarter. Vela outrebounded the Lady Falcons and took a lot of shots but only held a 7-4 lead after the first.
That lead quickly dissipated as the Lady Sabercats’ shooting went cold — they recorded just one point during the second quarter — and Los Fresnos regained its composure.
The Lady Falcons’ interior defense was a challenge Vela couldn’t quite overcome. Jones recorded two blocks and shut down a lot of drives by the smaller Vela guards.
The Lady Sabercats started hitting shots during the fourth quarter, including three 3-pointers, to close Los Fresnos’ lead from 15 to seven, but as the clock continued ticking Vela started racking up fouls, and the Lady Falcons cleaned up at the free throw line.
“I’m so proud of my girls. We’ve worked so hard this season, and this is a huge win for us,” Los Fresnos coach Rebecca Valdez said. “It was just about calming their nerves and understanding this was just another game.”
Gallardo and Jones combined to make 10 free throws as the fourth quarter rolled on to keep Los Fresnos in control. Gallardo led all scorers with 23 points, and Jones added 12 in a standout defensive effort.
Sophomore Lauren Vega dropped 14 and sparked a 20-point fourth quarter, but Vela’s low shooting efficiency was too much to overcome.
“We had plenty of opportunities … but when it came to the charity stripe we just couldn’t hit, even on the outside shooting,” Vela coach Lottie Zarate said. “I’ll give it to Los Fresnos, they played a tough game. But hats off to my team as well, we’re a young group and have good things to look forward to.”