All Gas, No Brakes
- Updated: January 11, 2023
Lady Chargers defeat Harlingen South, improve to 10-0
By Ruben Rodriguez
Rio Sports Live
BROWNSVILLE- The second half of 32-5A play began as the Brownsville Veterans Memorial Lady Chargers played host to the Harlingen South Lady Hawks. The second meeting between the Lady Chargers and Lady Hawks, a lot has happened since their first matchup on December 6. The Lady Chargers ran through the gauntlet, staying perfect throughout the first half of 32-5A play. Meanwhile, the Lady Hawks bounced back from the December 6 loss by going on a seven game win streak that was snapped on Friday with a 33-31 loss to Weslaco East.
Knowing the Lady Hawks were playing with two chips on their shoulder; one being the loss to BVM on December six, and the other being the loss on Friday Night, Brownsville Veterans Memorial took control early on in the first. A couple of minutes after the opening tip-off, Jordyn Rivera would put up two consecutive baskets to open up the scoring for the Lady Chargers. That was only the beginning. The Lady Chargers would embark on a 16-0 run before Harlingen South was able to tack on a point on a made free throw by Jiselle Montemayor. Only allowing two more made free throws, the Lady Chargers led 27-3 at the half.
Brownsville Veterans Memorial continued their dominance in the second half as Mariana Espinosa had an electric second half with 13 points. Daniella Sauceda also got in the mix with eight points in the second half. With more baskets from Brianna Barnes, Annie Cisneros and Alexa Torres, BVM would ride off into the sunset with a 57-11 win over Harlingen South.
“We knew we were going up against a well coached team, so we just tried to get prepared for this game”, said Lady Chargers Head Coach Arnold Torres. “I felt like we did a great job defensively. Everytime we got our defense going, our offense kicked in as well”.
Getting started early on against a great team can always be very effective in getting the offense going and setting the tone. “As a team, we always talk about the first four minutes of the game, and the first four minutes of the second half”, said Torres. “I felt like controlling the tempo in the first four minutes was the key to winning. We controlled the defense and that got us going on offense and the team did a good job”.
With eight more games left in the 32-5A season, the Lady Chargers are ready on what’s to come down the road ahead. “I think we’re doing a good job playing team basketball”, Said Torres “If we can continue to keep everybody rotated and stay healthy, we’ll be good”.
“It’s a very important win going into the second round of district”, said Mariana Espinosa. “We need to make a statement that no one can compete with us, we work hard every day to get the win”.
Espinosa also spoke on how important it was to not let their foot off the gas early on in the win over South. “Like the coach said, the first four minutes determine how the game goes so we had to take control and not let off”, said Espionosa.
The Lady Chargers now improve to 10-0 in 32-5A play. The Lady Chargers will travel across town to take on the Porter Cowgirls on Friday Night.
