EDINBURG — Edinburg Vela’s Emma Lucio looked at home Tuesday night playing in the Bert Ogden Arena.
Lucio is set to upgrade to arenas and convention centers when she heads to the University of Texas San Antonio, leaving behind the local gymnasiums where she crossed over and pulled up for shots on many girls during her career at Edinburg Vela.
| Edinburg Vela’s Emma Lucio, middle, rebounds against Brownsville Veterans Brianna Brackhahn, left and Daniela Saucedar, right, during a 5A regional quarterfinals game at Bert Ogden Arena Tuesday, Feb.21, 2023, in Edinburg,Texas. (Delcia Lopez | [email protected]) Delcia Lopez |
On Tuesday, the senior dropped 21 points to help the SaberCats pick up a 47-31 win over Brownsville Veterans Memorial to advance to the regional semifinal round of the Class 5A state playoffs.
“Honestly, I was kind of nervous because it had been since the summer since I have played here,” Lucio said. “My jitters went away after the first 30 seconds.”
| Edinburg Vela’s Emma Lucio, left, takes it to the rim against Brownsville Veterans Jordyn Rivera,right, during a 5A regional quarterfinals game at Bert Ogden Arena Tuesday, Feb.21, 2023, in Edinburg,Texas. (Delcia Lopez | [email protected]) Delcia Lopez |
It was an early dagger when Lucio pulled up from beyond the Vipers’ 3-point line to drain a shot and give the SaberCats a 43-25 lead as time expired in the third quarter. Lucio’s 3-pointer gave the team the cushion it needed in the fourth quarter to see out the contest.
“I felt confident,” Lucio said. “I just let it go. Someone told me, ‘Just let it fly,’ and that is what I did.”
The timing of Lucio’s dagger came when Brownsville Veterans was gaining some momentum after falling behind by double digits for most of the third quarter. Brownsville Veterans had cut the Edinburg Vela lead to 13 before a basket and Lucio’s buzzer-beater.
| Edinburg Vela’s bench erupts with joy after defeating Brownsville Veterans 47-31, during a 5A regional quarterfinals game at Bert Ogden Arena Tuesday, Feb.21, 2023, in Edinburg,Texas. (Delcia Lopez | [email protected]) Delcia Lopez |
“Coming out of the locker room, we talked about how important it is to look for each other on the floor,” Edinburg Vela head coach Lottie Zarate said. “To make sure we play together as a team and do our best to stop Sauceda. When she sat out late in the third quarter, I believe, I told the girls we have to take it — we have to go.”
SaberCats guards GG Betancourt and Janai Coleman both hit double figures in the game as well. Both finished with 10 points and played a tremendous game defensively as well. The Edinburg Vela guards knocked away passes to set up fastbreak opportunities for the team throughout the contest.
| Edinburg Vela’s Janai Coleman, right, snags a rebound from Brownsville Veterans Brianna Barnes, left, during a 5A regional quarterfinals game at Bert Ogden Arena Tuesday, Feb.21, 2023, in Edinburg,Texas. (Delcia Lopez | [email protected]) Delcia Lopez |
Brownsville Veterans ended the first half strong after falling behind during the first quarter. Daniela Sauceda drained a couple of mid-range jumpers as the Chargers found themselves down by only six points late in the second and was down 24-16 at the half.
Sauceda scored nine points and senior guard Mariana Espinosa finished the night with a team-high 12 points.
“I am very proud of the girls,” Brownsville Veterans head coach Arnold Torres said. “We accomplished a lot this season. I knew as a team they would be able to get together, and they did a great job. They have nothing to be ashamed of this year. We set some goals, passed them, and set a standard for the girls that are coming. They have a lot to be proud of.”
| Edinburg Vela’s Fey Vasquez, left, with a finger roll against Brownsville Veterans Daniella Sauceda, right, during a 5A regional quarterfinals game at Bert Ogden Arena Tuesday, Feb.21, 2023, in Edinburg,Texas. (Delcia Lopez | [email protected]) Delcia Lopez |
The first quarter belonged to Edinburg Vela and Lucio. With the score 8-4, Lucio hit a nasty mid-range pullup jumper, a pullup 3-pointer and a pair of free throws to put the SaberCats up 15-4 and then at 17-6 at the end of the first quarter.
Edinburg Vela is set to play Liberty Hill at 6 p.m. Friday at Blossom Athletic Center’s Littleton Gym in San Antonio with a spot in the Class 5A regional final on the line.