BY JON R. LaFOLLETTE | STAFF WRITER
As the opening round of district play concludes Friday, the Donna High Bravettes find themselves on the cusp of the postseason chase.
Though Donna hoped to repeat as District 32-5A champions, the team has been plagued by litany of issues: woeful shooting, injuries, locker room chemistry concerns and inconsistent practice time due to construction on its home gym.
The few ups and many more downs resulted in a 5-13 record entering district competition. Since then, the Lady Bravettes are 3-3, transforming from an afterthought to a postseason hopeful.
The team is tied for the fourth playoff spot with Edcouch-Elsa. The two teams face each other 7:30 p.m. Friday at Edcouch-Elsa.
“They weren’t liking the way things were going,” coach Kevin Kromer said. “Through determination, however, we’ve brought ourselves back from a bad spot.”
The biggest positive for Donna is the return of Laurynn Williams. The junior guard left the team in mid-December, missing three district games. Kromer says Williams’ decision was based on personal matters and dissatisfaction with teammates.
“I think she realized that was a mistake and that she did belong with basketball and the team,” Kromer said. “A lot of things affected that decision… I think she realized she needed to play. She talked to me and the team, and I gave the team the choice. They listened to her and voted to accept her back.”
GAME-TIME DECISION
Rio Grande City guard Adrianna Cruz is a game-time decision for Friday’s game against Sharyland High, according to RGC coach Gustavo Valenciana. Cruz suffered the injury during the early portion of Tuesday’s loss to Mission Veterans Memorial.
“She’s so small, but she’s so strong when she attacks the basket,” Valenciana said. “I think her thigh area was really someone else’s knee area.”
Cruz has expressed intentions to play regardless of her health.
RGC is one game behind first-place Sharyland High in District 31-5A. The Lady Rattlers are led in points and rebounds per game by Jocy Amaya, who averages 19.5 and 11.7, respectively.
Sharyland is led by the double-double duo of Anna Marshall and Maddie Garza. Marshall, a sophomore, averages 14.9 points and 10.9 boards, while Garza, a senior, contributes 10.5 points and 10.0 rebounds.