‘Every possession counts’: Vela squeezes by Mustangs to extend winning streak 

EDINBURG — The SaberCats over at Robert Vela High School could possibly be nicknamed the “Cardiac ‘Cats” as the last couple games got the hearts pumping of those who attended.

Vela (24-8, 8-4) hosted the McAllen Memorial Mustangs (26-8, 9-4) over at their house on Tuesday and held onto a one-point win, 46-45. The district dub now solidifies a five-game winning streak for the team. They are tied for fourth in District 31-5A.

This is the second game in a row that was determined by less than four points. Last Friday, it was a similar case when the ‘Cats traveled to Pharr to take on the Raiders. That game went down to the wire and Vela escaped out of there with a three-point victory, 54-51.

“You know, we grew a lot from PSJA North. We knew coming into this game that McAllen Memorial was going to give it their best shot. But I knew that our girls were going to fight right back,” Head Coach Lottie Zarate said. “… So I’m very proud of them, as you can see, the game was very intense. I’m just proud of the kids.”

With less than a minute left in the first half, Vela found themselves holding onto a small but crucial three-point lead. That lead grew to five as Khloe Treviño, junior guard for Vela, found herself open on a fast-break lay-in. 

However, leads in the game never stayed put as before time expired, McAllen Memorial’s Ava Thomas hit a tough left-handed layup to keep the deficit to three.

Thomas, a freshman, took point guard responsibilities after sophomore MJ Banjao suffered a season-ending injury during a district game against Nikki Rowe earlier in the season. She had a team high 16 points.

The second half mirrored the first as both teams were at a tug-of-war with one another. If one team scored a basket, it was immediately met with a counter score.

Pressure from McAllen Memorial really hampered the plans of Vela as they forced 18 turnovers on the night. At one point, the Mustangs found themselves up by one in the final quarter.

No stranger to crucial baskets, senior Madison Cantu found herself free on the left wing and cashed in a three-pointer with about four minutes left to bring momentum to Vela. Cantu had a team high 13 points — with three baskets from beyond the arc on 38% shooting.

After some free throws from a one-and-one for the Mustangs — as Vela was over the foul limit — the home team held onto a one-point lead with 10 seconds left in the game.

However, a last-second attempt at a score was null as time expired with favor to Vela.

From the first round of district games to now, Zarate attributes maturity for how the girls have been playing. More so, she’s been emphasizing limiting turnovers and how important it is to make every play count.

“In the game of basketball, I always talk about taking care of the ball,” the coach said. “Every possession counts. … We got to take care of it. That’s what we’ve been preaching a lot this second round (of district games).”

The SaberCats travel to McHi on Friday to take on the Bulldogs. The Mustangs look to rebound against PSJA Memorial.