By MARIO AGUIRRE | STAFF WRITER
Graduating seven players and returning only two, La Joya Palmview coach Andy Saenz concedes his team has a long way to go.
Armando Alaniz and Jacob Salinas weren’t starters last year when the Lobos made the playoffs, but their varsity experience should be a valuable asset for a team that is very much young. They’ve proven themselves as capable shooters, rebounders and ball-handlers, and they intend to anchor the team’s selfless approach: playing team defense and swinging the ball around, looking for an open shot.
“They’re both seniors, and they’re ready to step in and take the lead,” Saenz said. “The rest of the players feed off of them, and everyone knows their roles.”
Palmview opened the season Tuesday with a 63-48 loss to Edinburg Vela, ranked No. 1 in the latest RGVSports.com top 10 list. The SaberCats’ scoring output, in small part, reflects the steady progress Palmview has made on that end, considering Vela’s intent to average 100 points per contest this season.
Saenz said he wants his team to develop a defensive-minded approach, and maintain the same playoff expectations they had a year ago, despite the turnover. Damian Quintanilla, a senior post, should provide a boost when he returns in about two weeks from an ankle injury he sustained playing football.
He can score inside, and carve his space underneath the basket to snatch rebounds. He should pair nicely with 6-foot-5 Eber Perez, who can also block or alter shots.
“We know we got a lot of work ahead being in a tough district,” Saenz said. “Everybody think it’s going to be a down year for us, because we only return two guys. But we’re going out there to prove people wrong.”
GROWING PAINS
Between the players and the head coach, McAllen High has only one year of varsity of experience, and that goes to Ryan Flores, who is in his second year the helm.
Months ago, the Bulldogs took a senior-laden team to the fourth round of the playoffs, and now they start anew, with no returners, and plenty of teaching to go around. Much of that reflected in Tuesday’s 45-33 loss to Rio Grande City in which McHi appeared inexperienced, taking questionable shots and squandering opportunities at the foul line.
“It’s going to be one of those years,” Flores said. “But I’m encouraged because the kids have been very coachable and willing to learn.”
One of the biggest obstacles, Flores said, is having players adjust to the speed of the varsity game. He’s also looking to strike a balance offensively, as they did a year ago, working the ball inside and out.
They have a pair of 6-foot-5 juniors who could help in that regard, as their skills develop.
“It’s still a young team overall,” Flores said. “The reason I say young is not because of age or classification, but experience. And there’s nothing you could trade for experience.”
RANKINGS
McAllen Memorial was listed as the Valley’s top-ranked Class 6A team by the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches. The Mustangs came in No. 23, ahead of No. 25 Harlingen South, in the preseason rankings.
Edinburg Vela also came in No. 23 among 5A teams. San Isidro ranked No. 14 in 2A.