By RAUL GARCIA JR | The Mercedes Enterprise

LA FERIA — Shooting isn’t the only way the Tigers dominate an opposing team on the hardwood. The Tigers like to swing the ball around to find the open man. 

When they really need a bucket, they like to use their speed to get to the basket for a lay-up, or slam dunk.

The Tigers entered the C.E.Vail 90th Annual Basketball Classic ready for the competition. 

Mercedes was one of 32 teams competing in the three day tournament.

Their first test was against Rio Hondo, and the Tigers came out firing to take an early lead over the Bobcats, and a 61-51win.

“It was a good tournament,” said David Clower, Tigers guard. “We went 3-1, but we could have easily been 4-0 right now. Mistakes happened against Corpus Christi Miller.”

The Tigers fell behind after a flurry of turn overs, missed opportunities around the rim and missed rebounds against CC Miller that ended in a 52-60 loss.

The Tigers rebooted and reloaded as they went on to defeat Raymondville 63-61.

Against Macedonia Academy, Austin Davila blocked his opponent’s lay up by pining it against the backboard on the way to a Tigers 66-52 win.

 At the tournament Joaquin Gonzales led the scoring for the Tigers with 23 against Rio Hondo and 17 against Miller. Clower and Ledesma each scored 13 against Miller.

“Over all we did very well,” Mercdeds Head Coach Josh Guerrero said. “We saw a lot of good flashes that we want to get ready for District. The defense really stepped up from previous games.”

Next up for the Tigers is the City of Palms Tournament before heading into District play.

“It’s been a great 90th year tournament, great competition, a lot of good teams came to play this year,” said Oscar Salinas, La Feria ISD’s athletic director. “We want to thank all the schools that came and participated and for coming to play here in La Feria, and all the people that put in the hard work to get this tournament going. It’s been a great tournament and we’ve seen a lot of great basketball this week from the Valley and even teams from up state.”

Brownsville St. Joe defeated Weslaco High 72-42 in the championship game.