PROGRESO — The Progreso Red Ants set the tone from the opening tip in their District 32-3A game against Monte Alto on Tuesday with ball movement, shooting from long range and a ferocious full-court press.
The Red Ants powered past the Blue Devils for a 59-29 win at Progreso High School to improve to 23-8 overall and 10-2 in District 32-3A.
“Every game is important, so we have to set the tone and it starts with causing turnovers, getting fastbreak points and making shots, and that’s what we did to start tonight,” Progreso head coach Raul Rivera said.
Progreso leaned on its full-court pressure to keep Monte Alto out of sync. The Red Ants forced 14 first-half steals to race out to a 39-13 halftime lead.
“All year it’s been, ‘come out with energy to get out ahead of our opponents and stay ahead,’” Isaiah Aleman said.
The Red Ants rested their starting unit the entire fourth quarter with a comfortable lead.
Vlady Rivera led the Red Ants with a game-high 19 points, Aleman had 13 and Sergio Moreno scored seven points and pulled down 10 rebounds.
“It’s about playing disciplined and playing like a team,” Vlady Rivera said.
Next for Progreso is a showdown against District 32-3A power Santa Rosa (19-7), which is unbeaten in league play at 11-0. Tipoff between the Red Ants and Warriors is slated for 7:30 p.m. Friday at Santa Rosa High School.