By EDWARD SEVERN, Staff Writer
BROWNSVILLE – The Brownsville Pace Vikings wrapped up their non-district and tournament season with an emphatic 80-42 victory over the McAllen Rowe Warriors on Tuesday.
After the holiday break it is expected that teams will have some rust, but the Vikings.(19-4) didn’t display any. The Vikings shot well early and finished at the basket with ease most of the time as they opened a 22-12 lead after the first quarter.
“We knew that today after being out for five days, usually that creates rust, it happens to the best of us,” Pace coach Jose Ramirez said. “We had a good practice (Monday) and we were able to have a good game (Tuesday).”
Senior Benny Villarreal led the Vikings in scoring with 14 points and was money early from mid-range. Senior Dax Delgado finished with 12 points and hit a couple of open 3-pointers during the first half. Junior Tyler Rudder scored all 11 of his points in the second quarter as the Vikings pushed away from the Warriors to lead 38-19 at the half.
The Vikings had active hands, and the guards broke into transition well after poor Rowe shots. The shooters ran to the corners quick on offense to open space up lanes.
Seniors Elias Fortaneli and Alexander Agado benefited from the space. Agado dropped 11 points, and Fortaneli finished with 9.
Rowe had somewhat of a chance to get back in the game during the third quarter but could not capitalize after a few sloppy possessions. The Warriors found most of their offensive success when with senior Julian Avila.
Almost all of the Vikings got on the scoreboard as they ran away with the game in the fourth quarter.
Pace will start district Friday at Brownsville Lopez.
“You got to throw the records out the window now,” Ramirez said. “We are 0-0, it is a fresh start because the games matter now. Brownsville versus Brownsville is always going to be a game, and the teams from the other part of the Valley are going to come at you hard, too.”