BY NATE KOTISSO | THE MONITOR
The Progreso Red Ants defeated the Port Isabel Tarpons 40-34 on Tuesday in a meeting between two teams currently out of the playoff picture in District 32-4A. The win for Progreso (10-22) was not only the team’s first district win of the season, but the Red Ants’ first district triumph since the early 2000s.
“Some are saying it’s been 15 years (since a district win), some are saying 17, but we’re basing it on a girls basketball banner hanging in our gym,” Progreso coach Lydia de Leon said. “So it’s been about 15 to 17 years.”
De Leon is in her second season as Progreso’s head coach.
“It feels like a big weight off of our shoulders,” De Leon said. “Last year, when I came in, it was about creating a culture and getting more numbers in our program. I think we’ve gotten those together, and now let’s go out and win.”
De Leon came to Progreso in 2016 after spending one season as an assistant under PSJA Memorial coach Marissa Gutierrez.
“She was my coach in high school, so it was pretty sweet to work under her,” De Leon said. “She sent me a text after we won and said, ‘Am I reading this right? Did you finally win?’ And I said, ‘Yes, I did.’ She’s been my number one supporter.”
Progreso’s first district win is in the books, but De Leon doesn’t want her team to stop now with two district games remaining.
“I want them to maintain a competitive nature,” De Leon said. “Remain competitive and play with heart. Those will be our two main things going forward.”