MARK MOLINA AND KEVIN NARRO | STAFF WRITER
With district play coming to an end on Tuesday night, the surviving boy’s basketball teams now turn their sights to the bi-district playoffs, which kickoff this Monday and Tuesday.
Starting in Class 6A, the Los Fresnos Falcons are the No. 1 seed after clinching their fifth straight District 32-6A crown with a victory over Rivera Tuesday night and will host Edinburg High on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.
Los Fresnos head coach Marco Hinojosa said he is prepared for a tough Edinburg team, but is confident in his players, especially at home.
“We’re just happy we have a home game; we play well at home,” he said. “Edinburg brings a lot to the table. They’re very good defensively, they have a big boy in the middle who can finish around the rim and are very well-coached. We just have to be prepared and ready to play.”
The Falcons come into the playoffs on a three-game winning streak after topping San Benito, Harlingen South and Rivera to end the regular season.
As a result, Los Fresnos’ is riding a wave of confidence that players and coaches believe can continue in bi-district play.
“The kids are on a high and are buying into what we’re talking about,” Hinojosa said. “We’re doing a good job holding the basketball and defensively we’re doing a decent job and we’re rebounding the ball pretty well. If we can stay out of foul trouble and hit shots, I like our chances.”
Elsewhere in Class 6A, the Harlingen High Cardinals are the No. 2 seed after topping Hanna 45-38 in the district finale for their fourth straight win.
The Cards will host Weslaco High on Tuesday with a 7 p.m. tipoff, while Hanna, which has lost two of its last three will host Edinburg Vela at 7:30 p.m.
Harlingen South clinched the final 32-6A playoff spot Tuesday with its 53-30 win over San Benito and Rivera’s loss at Los Fresnos.
Harlingen South now faces District 31-6A co-champion Edinburg Economedes on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.
In Class 5A, Brownsville Veterans Memorial finished the 32-5A season 13-1 and claimed its second district crown in three seasons.
The Chargers will open the postseason on the road at District 31-5A’s Mission Veterans on Tuesday at 7 p.m.
After an undefeated district title last season, the Pace Vikings are back in the postseason, this time as the No. 4 seed and will face District 31-5A champion Sharyland Pioneer at 7 p.m. in La Feria.
In sub-5A, District 32-4A’s Port Isabel will take on 31-4A’s Sinton at 8 p.m. in Alice.
District 32-3A’s Santa Rosa hoisted its 15th straight district title trophy this season and is hoping to make a run at a third-consecutive state tournament appearance.
The Warriors will try to take that first step Tuesday night when they face the Falfurrias Jerseys on the Texas A&M University Kingsville campus at 7:30 p.m.
The No. 2 seed out of 32-3A will be the IDEA Frontier Chargers, who await the loser of tonight’s seeding game between Kingsville Santa Gertrudis Academy and Bishop.
The District 32-2A champion San Perlita will have a Monday game as it face Benavides Monday night at 7 p.m. in Falfurrias.
GIRL’S AREA ROUND
After a 54-25 drumming of Weslaco East on Tuesday, the Harlingen High Lady Cardinals won their seventh straight bi-district title and are moving onto the area round.
Harlingen will have a date with Laredo Alexander in the class 6A area round Friday at 7 p.m. at Corpus Christi Carroll. The winner will meet the winner between Edinburg High and PSJA North.
The last time Harlingen met the Lady Bulldogs was in a 66-42 loss during the 2016-17 season. District 32-6A is no stranger to District 29-6A as Alexander and South San Antonio axed San Benito and Harlingen High, respectively, out of the playoffs last year.
In class 3A Lyford picked up a 59-40 win over Corpus Christi London in the bi-district round. The Lady Bulldogs were led by Sam Delgado, who finished with 22 points, while, Emily Gonzalez netted 15 and Damaris Bermudez finished with nine.
Up next is their area matchup tonight against George West at H.M. King High School in Kingsville. Tipoff is at 6:00 p.m.
In class 2A San Perlita fell to Agula Dulce 53-49 on Tuesday night. The Lady Trojans turned in a strong season with a 17-13 record and finished 4-4 in league play. Santa Maria meanwhile earned a 44-26 win over Premont and will now take on Refugio Friday at 6:00 p.m. at H.M. King.