By ADAM KUJAWSKI, Staff Writer
The Brownsville Veterans Memorial Lady Chargers and the Los Fresnos Lady Falcons tied for the District 32-6A championship after a thrilling Oct. 25 match. But that left a question unanswered, as to which team would be assigned what seed.
Earlier in the season, Brownsville Veterans coach Lisa Mares indicated that if a tie were to happen, a coin flip likely would settle it. That is what happened last year, and Los Fresnos won.
However, this year will be different. Mares again wished to flip a coin, but Los Fresnos coach Becky Woods wanted to settle it on the court. When an agreement can’t be reached, that is the default option.
“To me, it doesn’t matter, we already share the district title,” Mares said. “I’m going to treat it like a practice match.”
By playing an extra match, Mares is concerned it will impact her team’s rest as well as her ability to scout her opponent, as she won’t know her matchup until late in the week.
The match will be held at noon Saturday at Los Fresnos. The last time the teams met at Los Fresnos, the Lady Falcons won 3-1.
LOCKED IN AT NO.3
The Hanna Lady Golden Eagles finished the District 32-6A season in third place, sandwiched between the fourth-place Harlingen High Lady Cardinals and the two co-district champs.
The Lady Eagles wrapped up the regular season Tuesday with a loss to Los Fresnos, but coach Ansgar Hagemann has been encouraged by his team’s play of late.
“We ended the season strong,” he said. “We gave Los Fresnos a run for their money. We played well defensively and (the team) showed a high learning curve.”
While the top two teams in the district duke it out Saturday, the Lady Eagles will use the extra time to rest and practice before their playoff run begins. Hanna will open the postseason at home when it faces the Edinburg High Lady Bobcats at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 4.
DOWN TO THE WIRE
It took until the final match of the year, but the Port Isabel Lady Tarpons swiped a share of the District 32-4A title Tuesday night.
P.I. battled for five games against the La Feria Lionettes, who could have clinched the top spot with a win. That was the second time this season that La Feria and the Lady Tarpons settled a match in five games.
Port Isabel found itself in this predicament because it lost two matches midway through the season. The Lady Tarpons had had an unblemished district record at the time, but the losses forced them to rally late in the season.
“I know that (this team is) there and capable of going a long way through the playoffs,” P.I. coach Julie Breedlove said. “I’m real excited. I think (the win over La Feria) is going to help them a lot. I think it’s going to get some of their confidence back.”
FALLING SHORT
The Porter Cowgirls weren’t as fortunate on their final day of the season. With the top three playoff spots settled in District 32-5A, the fifth-place Cowgirls battled the fourth-place Mercedes Lady Tigers to determine who would represent the district as the fourth seed.
Porter has been flirting with a the fourth district spot all year under coach Laura Fortner, who has been pushing hard for a playoff berth.
“I’m getting all but one of my players back next year,” Fortner said after Tuesday’s match. “I’m still proud of what this team did this season.”
Adam Kujawski covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him at (956) 982-6663 or via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @adamkujo1.