BY JON R. LaFOLLETTE | STAFF WRITER
As Weslaco High opens the first practice of the season, coach Griselda Fino is met with a team of new faces.
The Lady Panthers enter the 2015 season losing more than they return. Fino saw six seniors graduate from last year’s 29-5 team that won a share of the District 31-6A title — including All-Valley Player of the Year Angela Villarreal. Weslaco return just five players, forcing Fino to change her gameplan.
“Our X’s and O’s are changing dramatically,” Fino said. “… We don’t really know what we’re going to do yet. We might go four guards, one post. We have some big guards though, so we might so all guards. Who knows at this point? We’ll see. But our scheme is changing, for sure.”
Returners include sharpshooter Jazlynn Muniz, guard Brianna Peña and post Amy Garcia. Though each of those players fit into a role last year, their duties will likely increase given Weslaco’s hefty roster turnover.
“Bri was more of a shooting guard for us last year, but she’s more of a ball handler for us now,” Fino said. “Jaz is sharing time handling the ball now, too. They’re whatever we need them to be this year.”
The new-look Panthers aim to maintain their defensive identity, and spent the early part of practice cutting off the baseline from would-be opponents. Fino sees another element that’s ever-present with her teams, as well.
“Hard work, by all means,” Fino said. “These kids know how to win. They know what our expectations are. There is nothing different. Our faces are different, but our goals and expectations remain the same. These kids work hard and we’re only going to get better.”
Weslaco’s season begins Nov. 12 at the Weslaco girls basketball tournament.
QUICK TRANSITION
As Monica Meza prepares for her first season as coach of the Mercedes Lady Tigers, the transition phase has been eased by the team’s bevy of experienced talent.
Mercedes lost five seniors from last year’s team that went 13-1 in District 32-5A and shared the title with Donna High, but a bulk of the returning underclassmen saw heavy minutes on the court.
“Having so many kids coming back helps,” Meza said. “So many of them are picking up on new schemes because they’ve been around, they know how the game works.”
While the Lady Tigers ran their offense through a pair of senior posts in Summer Vento and Mere Guevara a season ago, this year’s team lacks size but possess speed in guards such as Jackie Flores, Alyssa Marquez and Emily Ramirez.
“We certainly have some quickness and a bunch of intelligent kiddos,” Meza said. “They know what we’re looking for. We’re going to try and work our inside game a little bit, but we’re going to try and win games with speed. All they’re lacking is a big ol’ tall girl.”
Mercedes opens the season Nov. 12 at the Weslaco girls basketball tournament.
CREATING SPACE
The Edinburg Vela Lady SaberCats said goodbye to senior Ariel Rodriguez and her 18 points per game, and have gone from a balanced roster to one heavy on players that cluster near the basket. In order to create space, coach Lottie Zarate will look to convert sophomore post Bianca Cortez into a hybrid on the wing.
“Depending on certain games we play, I want to change her position,” Zarate said. “I want her to demonstrate both ways, inside and outside. I want to see her working on outside shots, some cuts, some sweeps. Whether she’s comfortable or not, it’s something she’s going to have to learn because I need to be able to use her in multiple ways.”
Edinburg Vela kicks off the season Nov. 10 at Harlingen South.