McALLEN — The McAllen High Bulldogs and McAllen Memorial Mustangs split last year’s District 31-5A title as co-champions.
The crosstown rivals opened District 31-5A on Tuesday and the Mustangs took the early lead in their title defense with a 48-36 win over the Bulldogs at McAllen High School.
Mando Treviño scored a game-high 18 points and post Caden Keller scored 14 to pace the Mustangs.
The Bulldogs cut a 13-point halftime lead by the Mustangs to six entering the fourth quarter before Memorial pulled away for good.
McHi’s Jackson Ramirez and Erasmo Alvarado both finished in double digits with 13 and 10 points, respectively.
McHi meets Sharyland Pioneer at 7:30 p.m. Friday at McHi. Memorial will play host to Sharyland High at 7:30 p.m. Friday at McAllen Memorial.
DISTRICT 31-5A ROUNDUP
EDINBURG VELA 45, SHARYLAND HIGH 42: At Edinburg, the SaberCats held off the Rattlers to start district play 1-0 led by 25 points by Axel Garza. E.J. Avelar added 11 for the SaberCats, while Julian Ortiz and LJ Hill led the Rattlers with nine points apiece.
Next for Edinburg Vela is Valley View at 7:30 p.m. Friday in Hidalgo. Sharyland High will travel against McAllen Memorial at 7:30 p.m. Friday.
SHARYLAND PIONEER 52, PSJA NORTH 44: At Mission, the Diamondbacks and Raiders were tied at 24 at the half, but a fourth-quarter surge by Sharyland Pioneer propelled them to their first district win of the year.
Three finished in double figures for Pioneer in Matthew Maldonado (11), Julian Valdez (10) and Jaden Garcia (10). Mason Lopez and Gianni Beltran led PSJA North with 11 apiece.
Sharyland Pioneer hits the road against McHi at 7:30 p.m. Friday. Next for PSJA North is PSJA Memorial at 3:30 p.m. Friday at PSJA North High School.
McALLEN ROWE 54, PSJA MEMORIAL 38: At Alamo, the Warriors led from coast-to-coast against the Wolverines behind a 16-point performance by Aaron Velasco. DAnny Cardoza scored 10, while Manuel Bejarano and Matthew Campbell chipped in with eight and seven points, respectively.
Rowe moves on to host PSJA Southwest at 7:30 p.m. Friday at McAllen Rowe High School. PSJA Memorial faces PSJA North at 3:30 p.m. Friday at PSJA North High School.