BY JON R. LaFOLLETTE | STAFF WRITER
The Roma Lady Gladiators will face Weslaco High for the second time in eight days Friday night. Though both sides are familiar with each other, the circumstances surrounding the rematch will be drastically different.
The previous matchup between the teams came in a 56-32 blowout win for Weslaco on Dec. 4. The game was the second half of a tournament double header for both teams.
“Bodies aren’t made for the wear and tear of tournament play,” Roma coach Romero Rios said.
Friday’s game will come after two days of rest and be hosted at Roma High School, where the Lady Gladiators are 4-0.
“Our girls are taking it in,” Rios said of the team’s preparation. “They know what their job is and they’re getting better every day.”
Roma (10-5) is loaded with upperclassman talent and starts five seniors on a nightly basis. The team’s go-to scorers are Kassy Rocha and Luz Gonzalez, a pair of athletic forwards.
“Our athleticism will be big for us against Weslaco,” Rios said. “We match up really well with (Weslaco) inside. It’s hard to exploit them though. They’re really well coached and are really experienced. I have a lot of respect for their guards, especially Angela Villarreal.”
Rios doesn’t see Friday’s bout with the Lady Panthers as a do-or-die situation, but does view it as a measuring stick for a team who is all in for a deep post season run.
“This is what you prepare for. We want to be in these big games, not only for the top spot in our district, but for the rest of the Valley. This is crunch time. There is no time for excuses.”
BUILDING THE OFFENSE
Before the season began, Sharyland coach Dale Whitaker was hesitant to diagnosis the long-term prospects of his team. The 18-year coach lost several young players to Sharyland Pioneer in the school’s split and wasn’t too sure what his team could do on the hardwood.
19 games in, however, and Whitaker likes what he sees.
“I think things are going good,” Whitaker said. “I think we’re like a lot of teams, just coming together. Overall, I’m pleased with the progress of our kids.”
Despite Whitaker’s optimism, the Lady Rattlers (11-8) are currently on a three-game losing skid, their most recent defeat being Tuesday in a 40-31 loss to Edinburg High.
“We missed so many easy shots,” Whitaker said of the loss. “And Edinburg shot 19 free throws and made 16. I’m not blaming the refs, a lot of those calls were because of things we were doing. Shooting 85 percent from the foul line in girls basketball is almost unheard of in the Valley. I asked (Edinburg girls basketball coach John David Salinas) what his secret was.”
Aside from the sloppy defense, Whitaker is looking for a more dynamic offensive approach in time for district play beginning next week. The Lady Rattlers are dependent on the interior duo of Maddie Garza and Ana Marshall, who both measure 6-feet tall, for the bulk of their scoring.
“We have one of the biggest group of kids in the Valley,” Whitaker said. “We just need to be more spread out in our scoring abilities. We’ve been relying on our inside game because those points are a lot easier to get.”
Sharyland’s final game before district competition is Friday at home against Mercedes. Whitaker has been keen to let his players know what the goal is.
“We have a tradition,” he said. “We’ve been in the playoffs 17 of my 18 years. Every game counts as much as the next one. (District 31-5A opponent Edinburg) Vela isn’t any more important than Valley View. You can’t lay an egg and say, ‘Oh, we didn’t’ play well.’ You have to fight for everything. It’s that time of the year.”
GROWTH SPURTS
Palmview’s second-year coach Anisa Reyna didn’t expect her Lady Lobos team to be this good, not in her second year, not when her team has little time over the summer to improve.
“This came out of nowhere,” Renya said of her team’s 8-5 start. “With the short amount of time we put into the offseason it’s hard to see the improvement, but we’ve been getting better and better.”
The speedy Palmview girls team is led by its guard play, including junior Samantha Gutierrez, who stands 5-foot-4 and is described by Renya as “the shortest girl on the team.” But what Gutierrez lacks in size, she counters with deft offensive know-how.
“She can slash her way into the paint or just jump-stop-and-pop,” Renya said. “She’s making big strides.
Another improved guard is senior Monica Noyola, who saw limited court time a year ago.
“Monica wasn’t ready for the system,” Renya said. “This year she’s maintained her stamina to run up and down the court and has grasped the concept a bit more. She’s become an offensive threat as well, her decision making has improved.”
Renya knows the Lady Lobos are usually an afterthought in the realm of girls hoops, but she’s hoping to change that come district play, when Palmview will look to make a name for itself against its 30-6A opponents.
“We’re looking at the McAllen Schools,” Renya said. “They are all usually very big inside, they’re a force to be reckoned with. We’re not going to take any body lightly. We’re just trying to take care of what we do. They only way to become known is to get it done on the scoreboard.”