By MARIO AGUIRRE | STAFF WRITER
Since McAllen Memorial transfer Max Oyervides became eligible to play, Sharyland High has won three of its past four games.
The 6-foot-6 swingman has helped the Rattlers (8-23) build a 4-6 district record, just one game back of Roma (13-17, 5-5) for fourth place in District 31-5A.
“There was a lot of growth already occurring with the team, and he’s come in and provided a spark,” coach David Keith said. “He’s given us 18 points a game, another 15 rebounds, and that really helps.”
Oyervides has given Sharyland much-needed size, after the Rattlers two players around 6-foot-5 and 6-7 last year. Since transferring from McAllen Memorial, Oyervides was permitted to practice with Sharyland but wasn’t eligible to play until Jan. 19, when it took on Edinburg Vela.
“He was very anxious,” Keith said. “It was tough for him to sit and watch (the games) while he was practicing. So for him to stay strong and preserver and fight through that, it showed a lot of character.
“He comes in now and he’s vocal. He brings some of the leadership. Tremendous athleticism and vocal leadership, that’s what’s really what surprised me.”
Roma can claim a playoff spot if it wins its remaining two games. It faces Rio Grande City (10-23, 1-9) on Friday, and Edinburg Vela (28-2, 10-0), the No. 1-ranked team by RGVSports.com, next Tuesday.
Sharyland also faces Vela on Friday, and closes against Mission Veterans (17-17, 2-9) on Tuesday. Should Sharyland and Roma finished with identical district records, they would schedule a play-in game to determine fourth place, assuming Sharyland Pioneer and Valley View maintain their second- and third-place standing in district.
“The guys are more confident,” Keith said. “They feel when they step on the floor, they have a chance. They felt that way before, but their confidence has gone up. The belief has gone up. The social interaction is better. Everything seems improved.”
LAST TICKET
Three teams in District 31-6A have already clinched a playoff spot, leaving the fourth and final ticket available to either Weslaco East (21-10, 6-4) or PSJA North (17-13, 5-5).
Weslaco East, which has dropped its previous two games, needs to win just one of its next two to clinch a berth, given that it has swept PSJA North in the head-to-head series.
Weslaco East closes against Edinburg North, the second-place team in 31-6A, and PSJA Memorial, which is out of the playoff picture. And PSJA North faces Weslaco High, the first-place team in district, and Edinburg North. If PSJA North loses one of the next two, Weslaco East is in.
“The pressure is on them,” Weslaco East coach Jorge Martinez said of PSJA North. “But we have to have a sense of urgency. I know PSJA North is a very good team, and they’re very capable of winning the next two games.
“We still control our own destiny, though. That’s great for us, and if we take care of what we need to take care, we won’t have to worry about what happens Friday.”