By ALBERT VILLEGAS
Special to the NEWS
The San Benito Lady Greyhounds advanced to the area round of the Class 6A playoffs, but were unable to gain a victory against the same Laredo United South Lady Panthers for a second consecutive year.
San Benito, which has reached this round five times in eight seasons, lost by a 50-20 margin. Last season, San Benito lost, 50-27.
The varsity team will lose five seniors to graduation, the same number last year’s squad graduated.
This year’s senior group was made up of Railyn Garcia, Jade Maya, Angelina Reyes, Kayla Rodriguez, and Valerie Vela.
Lady ’Hound Head Coach Abel Moreno reflected on another strong senior class like those of the past.
“There’s a grassroots start that has allowed us to have great senior athletes and the ability to make our fifth area appearance, five bi-district championships, and a total of six playoff appearances,” said Moreno, whose first season at SBHS was 2014-15. “It means a lot to me, as well the girls who have sacrificed so much to move this program forward. We hope this can continue to grow and allow us to take the next step closer to making appearances at the next level in UIL playoff basketball.”
San Benito lost to a Laredo team that was undefeated in district and improved to 18-11. It was the third time this year that United South played a Valley team (Weslaco and Harlingen), defeating each by at least 20 points.
The Lady Panthers advanced to the third round to play San Antonio Brennan.
San Benito ended its season with a 23-14 record. Before their final loss, the Lady ‘Hounds nabbed victories against Los Fresnos (third-place tiebreaker) and Edinburg North (bi-district).
“This past year has really meant a lot in terms of where we have been able to grow the program. I get constant thanks from the community regarding how much Lady ‘Hounds’ Basketball has grown since I arrived,” Moreno said. “It hasn’t been without its share of challenges and obstacles. I’ve been blessed with a supporting athletic administration and San Benito community, plus the many athletes I’ve been able to coach.”
There are hundreds of San Benito youth partaking in basketball in some form or fashion, Moreno said.
He credits “hard work” from the coaches and involvement in the offseason from the parents and community.
“The Boys & Girls Club, at the time of my arrival, was going through its share of obstacles, but with new leadership and a partnership I’ve been able to build with important stakeholders,” Moreno said. “They have been able to support girls’ basketball, and really helped me grow it.”
Moreno said club director Liz Chavez has ran an all-girls fourth and fifth grade league, and it’s been multiple years that an all sixth grade girls league has been established.
The San Benito Greyhounds, meanwhile, were unable to qualify for the Class 6A playoffs when they lost a fourth-place tiebreaker against the Brownsville Veterans Memorial Chargers last week.
Both teams played twice during District 32-6A play, each earning a road victory against each other.
The third time competing at Veterans Memorial High School went to the Chargers by way of a 47-39 score, but they needed every minute of the fourth quarter to earn the hard-fought victory.
There were six lead changes in the first half.
San Benito had its lone lead in the third quarter when senior Devan Ullueva nailed a three-pointer for a 27-25 advantage with 19 seconds remaining in the half.
San Benito tied the game once at 30 at just under six minutes to play. Veterans’ biggest lead was at nine points with less than two minutes left in the game, but senior Ivan Hernandez made two treys in the late stages to keep the Chargers on alert with a slim 43-39 lead. They staved off the ‘Hounds as they made their final four free throws.
Among the ‘Hound scorers were seniors Ullueva and Hernandez, each with nine points; sophomore Nehemiah Rivera and junior Osiel Recio, each with six points; and senior Dominic Olivares with eight points.
Among the other district teams to qualify for the postseason were champion Los Fresnos, Harlingen in second place, and Brownsville Hanna in third place.
San Benito ended its district record at 1-7, and was 8-16 overall.
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