Dec. 2020
While the football playoffs were taking up the lion’s share of attention in town, the basketball races were rolling into high gear, as the big result from Friday had the EHS girls taking down Vela at home, 56-45.
In rising to 4-0 in District 31-6A, the Lady Bobcats battled with a pesky Lady SaberCat unit that led after a period, was tied at the half, and held a 42-40 lead in the fourth after a three-pointer from junior Lauren Vega. Thanks to 14 points and 10 rebounds from senior A’nnika Saenz and a game-best 18 points from freshman Madison Martinez, EHS tucked away the W. Vega ended with 12 for Vela while junior Aneya Chapa barged for 15 rebounds and Fey Vasquez, returned from an ankle injury, had a solid night. Vela is now 3-1 overall, 2-1 in league with the defeat.
Econ also got a victory Friday, on the road at Juarez-Lincoln, when Dana Serna knocked down six threes and finished with 22 points in a 52-49 decision. The Lady Jags also got seven rebounds apiece from Jaylene Corona and Britzia Mancilla, and outscored Lincoln 16-10 in the third to take control.
North had a non-district game against Edcouch-Elsa, posting a 37-34 win with defensive efforts by Sariah Garza (four blocks) and Sam Aguilar (five steals). The Lady Cougars play at La Joya Tuesday to resume district play while Vela entertains a 3-0 P-SJ-A squad. EHS is to face off with Pharr North Tuesday, per the schedule.
In boys’ action Friday, Econ whipped Lincoln, 103-58 to rise to 7-2 overall, 2-0 in 31-6A while Vela followed Tuesday’s win over North with a 19-point victory against EHS. The SaberCats are 2-0 while North dropped to 0-2 with an 8-point debit versus Pharr North Friday. The Jags turned around the next day and defeated McAllen Rowe at home Saturday and junior Rey de Leon continues to tear it up; he’s averaged 30 ppg the first 10 outings.
Looking ahead, Tuesday has a full slate on offer with Vela at P-SJ-A, North at home against La Joya, and EHS hosting Pharr North. Friday it’s Vela at home against Lincoln, Econ at Mission and EHS at La Joya, while North has a non-district road test at Santa Rosa. Before Christmas arrives, North and EHS battle at North Dec. 22, the same day that Vela takes on the Jags out east.
VOLLEY AWARDS IN, RAMOS OF NORTH IS MVP
Evana Ramos of North, headed to UTRGV in the fall to play volleyball, was the MVP of 31-6A when the All-District team was announced recently. Three other city kids picked up big honors, with junior Jazmine Cuellar of EHS as co-Outside Hitter of the Year, teammate Hannah Vega as Outstanding Defensive Player, and Vela junior Maria Sanchez tabbed co-Outstanding Libero.
On the All-District first team, North placed junior Kaylee O’Bryan and senior Melanie Cantu, while EHS had senior Julissah Santa Maria and freshman Emily Carranco on the first unit. For Vela, seniors Gabby Avila and Izabella Rodriguez were first-teamers, along with Econ’s Marixa Zamora and Lori Martinez, both seniors.