Bishop bests RH

(Courtesy photo/Albert Villegas)

By ALBERT VILLEGAS
Special to the NEWS

HARLINGEN, TX—The Rio Hondo Lady ’Cat Varsity Basketball Team ended its season last week in the Class 3A area round for a second consecutive year, this time against the Bishop Lady Badgers.

The game, which ended in a 48-40 outcome, was played at Harlingen South High School. Bishop, which improved to 26-8, moved on to the third round to compete against Edna (26-10).

“We had opportunities to beat Bishop, we just fell short in the fourth period. Anytime you have the opportunity to win 28 games in a season, you know it’s been a great year,” Rio Hondo Head Coach Victor Sauceda said.

The Lady ’Cats started hot, especially senior Emily Molina who gave her team an early 3-0 lead. In fact, she made Rio Hondo’s first four baskets, all of them from the three-point line.

Her play and senior Jocelyn Gallegos’ basket gave the Lady ’Cats a 14-4 advantage at the 2:08 mark of the opening quarter.

Bishop took its first lead with 5:36 to play in the second quarter, but Rio Hondo wouldn’t trail for long. In fact, there were three lead changes in the quarter with freshman Evan Ayala earning nine points to give her team a 25-21 halftime advantage.

The Lady ’Cats had to fight and crawl in the second half to stay with Bishop. Their last lead came with 1:17 left in the third quarter.

Moreover, baskets were not falling for Rio Hondo between the 4:39 mark of the third quarter and three minutes into the fourth quarter. All RHHS points were coming from the free throw line (3-of-6 shooting).
Molina scored her team’s first basket from the field with 5:09 left in the game – a three pointer, but Rio Hondo still trailed, 40-38.

Bishop then reeled off eight consecutive points to ice the game.

Rio Hondo’s Molina scored 22 points, netting six three-pointers. Ayala contributed 13 points. The freshman shot 3-of-6 from the free throw line, and made a couple of treys.

Abby Atkinson, Carlie Rodriguez, and Joselyn Gallegos also scored.

Rio Hondo, which won the District 32-3A title, finished its season with an impressive 28-4 record.
Last season, Rio Hondo lost in the second round to George West, 47-34.

“I’m proud of the effort the girls played with all year long,” Sauceda said. “The three seniors I had set the example of how we want to play basketball in our program. It was a great experience for five new players on varsity.”

Victoria Garza was the third senior on the varsity squad.

“I look forward to seeing the returners come back better and stronger and keep the standard of excellence that’s been established over the years,” Sauceda said.