BY MARIO AGUIRRE | STAFF WRITER
Weslaco High’s 13-10 record, including 1-0 in district, is a testament to its defense, more than anything else.
Off the top of his head, coach Gabe Valdez surmises his team is shooting 20 percent from the field — on a good day.
The Panthers have missed layups, wide-open 3s and everything in between.
“Hopefully we could get things rolling,” Valdez said. “We still have to shoot, hoping it goes in. That’s a big part of basketball. You put yourself in a position to score. And whether it goes in or not, it’s totally up in the air.”
The issue, Valdez said, is a mental block. Weslaco executes its offense fine. Its players, however, sometimes lack confidence in their shot.
The Panthers take solace in one thing: Of the 10 games they lost, nine have been by five points or less, four of those ending in overtime.
They’ve stayed in games with Justice Free, Tyler Martinez and Jordan Young playing pivotal roles on the defensive end.
A 6-foot-2 sophomore, Free is coming off a season in which he was recognized as the district’s top newcomer. His interior presence either helps block or alter shots for Weslaco. Martinez, a senior, provides energy off the bench, using his quick hands to come away with steals. And Young, who logged heavy minutes as a freshman on JV last year, adds a burst of energy and came play an uptempo game.
Weslaco, of course, is hoping to put it all together to snap a two-year playoff drought, after finishing in fifth place the past two seasons. The Panthers lacked experience then. They don’t anymore, having returned six players, including three starters, on an upperclassmen-heavy team.
“The maturity level has really come up,” Valdez said. “And with the experience they have, it’s really put us in a position where we could get back (in the playoff hunt).”
On Friday, Weslaco travels to PSJA Memorial for a District 31-6A collision that could give Valdez his 500th coaching victory.
CLEANING UP MISTAKES
Ironically, the very thing that has helped Valley View (11-11, 1-1) this season is hurting them now.
The full-court press has provided plenty of opportunities for the Tigers, who at times have struggled to keep the ball on the other end. It’s resulted in hurried passes and bad decisions — things coach Robert Guerra understands must change if Valley View is to make a serious push for the playoffs.
“We understand we’re in a tough district,” he said, pointing to Edinburg Vela, Mission Veterans and Sharyland High. “We know for a fact those three spots are going to be taken. If we’re able to win at home, that should help us. If we slow the game down, we’ll be in the game.”