By MARIO AGUIRRE | STAFF WRITER
McALLEN — Cody Smith’s senior year has had its share of challenges. He started the year in the starting unit before sliding into a reserve role. One day he was asked to provide McAllen High a boost off the bench. The next, he was asked to step in for teammate Michael Garcia, who sprained his ankle against La Joya High.
Smith wasn’t looking merely to fit in this time. The 6-foot-2 post wanted to make his impact felt from the outset. And he did that Friday, scoring a game-high 14 points as McHi cruised to a 57-42 road win over McAllen Rowe.
Smith appeared comfortable in his new role in the starting lineup, scoring nine points after halftime to help the Bulldogs (20-5 season, 3-0 District 30-6A) maintain their position atop the league standings.
“He did a great job today,” McHi coach Ryan Flores said. “I’m proud of him. I’m proud of the boys. We’re going to need that while Michael’s out.”
Garcia took in Friday’s game from the Bulldogs sideline, donning McHi warmups. He walked into Rowe’s gym on crutches, trying to rest a sprained ankle that’s expected to sideline him 2-3 weeks.
Through 17 games, Garcia was the team’s third-leading scorer and second-best rebounder. But the Bulldogs hardly missed a step with Smith talking charge down low.
Smith helped lead a relentless McHi team that crashed the offensive glass, earning second and third shot opportunities. Late in the third quarter, teammate Joan Lopez hit a shot underneath, drawing the foul. Smith pulled down the miss shot and put it back in while absorbing contact.
Smith drained the free throw, completing the three-point play as the Bulldogs took a 32-22 advantage with 1:19 left in the period.
“That was a big factor in this game,” Smith said about his team’s aggression. “We had to be tough, putting our baskets in.”
The Bulldogs struggled from the field early, failing to hit a shot until the 3:35 mark of the opening quarter. But they closed out the period leading 9-8 and opened an eight-point lead at halftime.
Whatever Rowe lacks in height, it tries to make up for with outside shooting. The Warriors (11-11, 1-2), however, didn’t seize those opportunities until later in the second half with the game already decided.
“We had open looks, but we didn’t shoot it,” Rowe coach Jose Luis Yebra said. “We have to get our kids better prepared mentally because we’re shooters and we have to shoot it. And for some reason, we tried to go to the basket all the time. I don’t understand that.
“We have to look at the film and find out what we’re going to do next. We have to regroup quickly.”
Rowe never seemed to get in a rhythm offensively, promoting Yebra to sit four of his starters to open the second half. They trimmed an eight-point deficit to seven midway through the third quarter before Rowe brought its starting unit back.
It hardly made a difference. Down 42-26 with 4:37 left in the game, Yebra emptied his bench, which provided a spark. Michael Rodriguez scored all eight of his points in the closing minutes of the game, bringing Rowe within 47-35 and forcing McHi to bring its starters back in. It helped make a blowout a little more interesting, even if it was short-lived.
“Our kids coming off the bench gave us energy,” Yebra said. “(Our starters had) no energy at all. I don’t know if it’s something mental. But we’ve got to figure it out quickly because this district is very tight, and we can’t fall too far behind.”
McHi, for its part, was encouraged by back-to-back quality wins, squeaking by La Joya High 43-42 and beating Rowe decisively without its top interior presence.
“This is huge,” Flores said. “I think the team kind of rallied around (Smith). Everyone knew he needed to step up. We talked to him all week about him. I think the confidence his teammates had in him, I think that helped him take it over the top.
“This district is probably the toughest district in the Valley. Whenever you come out with a win on the road, it’s a bonus. It’s a boost for our program.”