Lady Tigers undefeated in district
By Henry Miller
The 2018-29 high school basketball season is turning into a memorable one for the Mercedes Lady Tigers.
It’s amazing the difference a year can make. Under second-year head coach Santiago Rivas, the Lady Tigers have already collected 20 wins (20-7) and are shooting for a perfect 6-0 record the first time through the district lineup, currently holding a 5-0 mark in the district and, as of press time, just Brownsville Lopez standing in their way for a perfect first half.
“The girls are more comfortable with the system having played if for year,” Rivas said following Mercedes’ 44-41 win at Donna on Tuesday night. “Our lineup is strong, we have many different options and that makes a huge difference.”
Against a strong Donna squad that came in with just one district loss and is filled with experienced and talented seniors, the teams were tied in the final seconds. Rivas called a timeout and set up for a play.
“We were going to get the ball to Mika, but they defended it and stopped us from that option,” Rivas said. “We kicked it back out to Malory (Noriega) and she hit a three with nine seconds left. We have several girls who are willing to step up when a challenge arises like that.”
Vento and Sellie Gonzales lead the team in scoring but Rivas said he has other weapons like Noriega, Jazmine Flores or Reeana De La Torre who can make defenses think twice about double teaming anyone. Most teams will try to shut down Vento, like Donna did on Tuesday. If that happens, as Donna found out, the Lady Tigers have other options.
Vento was held to four points against the Redskins but Noriega stepped up with 13 and Gonzales added 9.
Rivas thought the team would have the potential to make a run at perennial district winner Brownsville Veterans. When the Lady Tigers upended Veterans by one earlier in the year, everything was confirmed: This has the makings of a special season.
