Continuing Dominance
- Updated: December 21, 2022
United South Panthers Defeat Harlingen High, improve win streak.
HARLINGEN- The Laredo United South Panthers took on the Harlingen Cardinals in another round of Non-District Action. Last time both teams faced off was on December 14, 2018, a game which United South won 60-50. With both teams just having three games to go before District Play got underway, the Cardinals and Panthers were looking to grab a win. The United South Panthers, were riding a wave of momentum stemming from a three game winning streak.
United South started the game on a 7-0 run as Vincent Reeves, Rodrigo Lara and Juan Osorio opened up the scoring. Harlingen quickly adjusted after a timeout and went on a 7-0 run themselves to tie the game up. Luis Rodriguez led Harlingen’s rally as the Cardinals eventually took the lead 13-12 before United South went on a 6-0 run to lead 18-13 heading into the second.
The Second quarter saw Emilio Ceballos put up six points to slowly edge away from Harlingen’s persistent gameplay. United South broke it open off three consecutive three pointers by Hector Murillo, Ray Trevino and Jorge Calazo to give the Panthers the 34-35 lead at the half.
The Panthers continued their dominance in the second half as efficient shooting from beyond the arc led Laredo United South to build a 29 point lead over Harlingen. Jose Tello and Rodrigo Lara hit five threes in the third to set the tone for United South. Key defense by the Panthers would allow United South to close the game out with a 72-48 win over Harlingen.
“They were a tough team, we were concerned about playing well”, said United South Head Coach Jorge Martinez. “We started off playing great and it continued throughout the four quarters”.
Despite the big win, it was not easy at first. The Cardinals quickly rallied in the first to tie the game up, forcing United South to make some adjustments themselves. “We just needed to tighten up our defense and make sure we didn’t give them anything easy”, said Martinez. “Basketball is a game of runs, and whoever makes the most runs wins. Luckily, we were able to make more tonight”.
The Panthers, thanks to great chemistry, resulted in the scoring being spread out by the team. “When we are playing well, we pass and move the ball well”, said Martinez. “It’s hard to key it on one player if we’re all playing well. That is our goal, to be a great shooting team and we’re going in the right direction”.
Jose Tello led the offense for the United South Panthers, finishing off with 18 points. “We had to keep doing what we were doing and just play good”, said Jose Tello.
Tello also spoke on the chemistry he shares with his team: “I think we got a good group, all of us score the ball and play d”, said Tello. “We all contribute to the win at the end of the day”.
United South has three more games to go before District 30-6A play. Riding a four game win streak can help build and fuel the momentum heading into district. “It’s going to be tough, we know we have to be ready”, said Martinez. “ Every game is going to be a dogfight, so we need to be peaking heading into district”.
United South improves to 16-6 on the season. The Panthers will take on Somerset, Los Fresnos and Edinburg before opening 30-6A play against the Alexander Bulldogs on January 13.
