BY JON R. LaFOLLETTE | STAFF WRITER
After a two-game losing skid, the Sharyland High Lady Rattlers have relinquished their firm grasp on their lead in District 31-5A and are only two and a half games ahead of fifth-place Mission Veterans. Should their losing ways continue, the Lady Rattlers could miss the playoff entirely.
However, such a doomsday scenario doesn’t faze coach Dale Whitaker or the Lady Rattlers. With four regular season games remaining, Sharyland is very much alive and confident.
“Our spirits are high because we know that we control our own destiny,” Whitaker said. “We know that if we win out in our remaining games, we’ll still achieve our goals of being district champs.”
Sharyland (21-9, 6-2) enters the home stretch Friday when it hosts Roma (11-19, 5-4). Though the Lady Rattlers’ remaining opponents have a combined district record of 14-21, the team isn’t taking anyone lightly. Among their future foes is Valley View — who upset Rio Grande City 50-48 on Tuesday — and crosstown rival Sharyland Pioneer.
“(Pioneer is) going to come at us hard,” Whitaker said. “This district is so unpredictable. I think it’s one of the toughest districts in the Valley. We prepare for everybody like they’re a team that can beat us.”
Helping lead Sharyland is senior post Maddie Garza, who may end her high school stay in historic fashion. Garza is just five rebounds away from 1,000 career boards and 53 points away from scoring 1,000 for her high school tenure. She would be the first player under Whitaker to surpass 1,000 rebounds and the second to breach 1,000 points (Clarissa Alanis was the first).
“Maddie doesn’t really like to make things about her,” Whitaker said. “It’s always about the team and leading everyone else on the court. She’s the most unselfish player I’ve ever coached. I can honestly say that.”
THE GAUNTLET
The Rio Grande City Lady Rattlers experienced a reality check Tuesday against the Valley View Lady Tigers, losing during a 50-48 upset. The win was the first district victory for Valley View (10-18, 1-7), but placed Rio in precarious playoff position.
With a 6-3 district record, Rio enjoys a bye Friday before running through a late-season gauntlet of Edinburg Vela, Mission Veterans and Sharyland High. Those opponents have a combined district record of 16-9 — the toughest remaining schedule of any playoff eligible team in 31-5A.
“I told the kids, ‘Don’t let the haters win. Let’s get over it’” Rio coach Gustavo Valenciana said. “It was tough to swallow. … I’m just hoping that the kids really want it. That’s the bottom line. It will be tough. Every game is a playoff game for us now.”