BY JON R. LaFOLLETTE | STAFF WRITER
Even as the wins kept coming, Edinburg High coach John David Salinas couldn’t help but ponder if his Lady Bobcats team had peaked.
Though Edinburg has been a season-long staple on the RGVSports.com Top 10 poll and is guaranteed a spot in the postseason, Salinas was concerned by a stretch of games wherein his team appeared to be going through the motions.
But during the last three games, Edinburg High is playing what Salinas says is some of its best basketball of the season. In victories over Edinburg North, PSJA Memorial and Edinburg Economedes, the Lady Bobcats averaged 57 points, nine better than their season average.
“We’ve been able to score a bit more and be more diverse,” Salinas said. “Our guard play has really played a whole lot better as of late. Mercedes (Hernandez) has played well, and that’s opened up our inside game.”
Another encouraging sign is the renewed confidence of guard Reyna Del Castillo, who has spent much of the season working her way back from a knee injury suffered during the summer. Salinas says Castillo has been less hesitant while on the court and is beginning to trust her body once more.
A constant for the Lady Bobcats this season has been sophomore forward Jayla Santa Maria, who leads the team in scoring with 14 points per game in addition to seven boards and three steals.
If the Lady Bobcats (26-9, 7-3 District 31-6A) defeat Weslaco East and PSJA North, they will have an opportunity to secure the district’s second seed. Edinburg hosts the Lady Wildcats (17-18, 4-6) at 6 p.m. on Friday.
“I’m glad we have a chance to maintain and keep climbing,” Salinas said. “It’s not going to be easy, but we feel like we’re in a good position with the way we’re playing at the moment.”
‘WE WANT TO EARN IT’
Despite punching a postseason ticket for a second consecutive season and proving last year’s surprise success was no fluke, La Joya Palmview remains unsatisfied and strives for more.
Should the Lady Lobos win each of their two remaining regular season games, it could potentially set up a three-way tie for the District 30-6A championship along with McAllen Memorial and McAllen Rowe.
But Palmview coach Anisa Reyna swears she isn’t contemplating possible tiebreakers. Her primary concern is Friday’s home matchup against Rowe (21-9, 9-1). The Lady Lobos are 0-3 against the Lady Warriors under Reyna and are the only district opponent Palmview (21-8, 8-2) has yet to topple in 30-6A.
“We’ve been working really hard,” Reyna said. “A lot of impressive things have been happening for us in terms of ball distribution. Our bigs are scoring more, and the chemistry is really working for us. Our guards are trusting our guards to do more things for us now.”
Reyna says stopping McAllen Rowe hinges on scoring in transition, rebounding and playing big inside.
“We’re glad we’re in the position that we’re in,” the third-year coach said. “We want to earn it.”