By MARIO AGUIRRE | STAFF WRITER
Donna High was ravaged by injuries to start the year, losing three rotation players. But through those difficult times, coach Zeke Rodriguez saw an opportunity for others to step up.
What’s come of it is a deeper lineup at his disposal — one that he feels should produce four double-digit scorers each night. Through four district games, the Redskins (14-9, 4-0) have accomplished that three times while shooting up the 32-5A standings.
“We emphasized to the boys that adversity makes us strong. And the fact that we had that early on made us get better,” Rodriguez said. “I emphasized once we got all the guys back healthy, it was going to be different. And slowly but surely, it’s coming true.”
Donna opened district with a one-point win over Mercedes, one of the teams expected to contend for the district title. And since then it has won three straight going into Friday’s game against Edcouch-Elsa (10-12, 3-1), the third seed in district.
Part of that is attributed to their defensive effort. Rodriguez challenges his players to hold teams to less than 40 points, which is has done in two of the four district games in addition to a 51-42 win over PSJA High.
The goal, too, is to hold the opposing team’s leading scorer below their season average, which Rodriguez said they’ve been able to do, so far. It’s a collective effort, Rodriguez insists. Donna has taken its chances sending help defenders, sometimes sagging off less threatening players. And they’ve been able to do that consistently as a result of injuries to the opportunities that opened after E.J. Guajardo (sprained MCL), Michael Peña (broken hand) and Ruben Rivera (tibia) sustained their respective injuries.
With those players back in the fold now, Donna, which is tied for first place with Brownsville Pace, is that much stronger.
Guajardo, the team’s point guard, is showing his trademark speed and agility since returning to the court. He poured in 29 points in a recent win over Harlingen South. Peña, who Rodriguez describes as “the garbage guy,” has provided a boost by taking charges, snatching rebounds or even adding a little bit of scoring. And Rivera, who is lanky at 6 feet 2 inches, has helped crash the boards with teammate R.J. Arrambide Jr., giving the Redskins some size in the paint.
“The kids, they’re all playing together really well,” Rodriguez said. “It’s been a team effort. We’re trying to take one game at a time to move forward, and so far we’ve been able to do it together.”
CREATING SEPARATION
There’s 13 teams in the Valley that are undefeated in district. That number is expected to shrink following Friday’s games.
McAllen High (20-5, 4-0) visits McAllen Memorial (13-10, 3-0) in a battle between the remaining unbeaten teams in 30-6A. Edinburg High (15-8, 4-0) is expected to be challenged when it travels to PSJA North (14-7, 2-1), which is third in district. And in a matchup that features two of the top three teams in the latest RGVSports.com top 10 ranking, Mission Veterans (24-2, 4-0) takes on Edinburg Vela (19-5, 3-0).
Donna High won’t face Brownsville Pace just yet, but Edcouch-Elsa, third in district, should be a sturdy competitor.
START OF DISTRICT
District 32-3A action kicks off Friday — the last of the Valley’s district to get under way. The five-team district features two upper-Valley squad in Edinburg IDEA Quest and Monte Alto.
So far, Santa Rosa has been the most impressive team out of the 32-3A programs, having posted a 13-9 overall record.