Bears earn tough win against Cougars
The PSJA Bears buckled down on defense in their rout against the Edinburg North Cougars last Tuesday as they won their district game, 50-40.
From the tipoff, Edinburg North had a tough time getting anything going as PSJA swarmed the opponent’s guards every step of the way.
The Bears had a strong outing in the first quarter as they found themselves up 17-6.
The second quarter, however, showed the Cougars making some adjustments as Alejandra Zurita knocked down a three from the right win, then a basket from the elbow by Daniela Davila helped spark a 7-0 to bring the game to 1916, Bears leading.
Both teams battled for boards as the Bears clung to a 23-19 lead at the half.
After the break, the Cougars started off with a turnover, in which the Bears capialized and went on a 6-0 run.
Momentum then swung for the Cougars as the Bears hit a drought bringing the game within five at one point.
In the fourth, Edinburg North’s Isabela Quiroz had a strong quarter with 7 points. As the lead was being chipped away, a three by Quiroz tied the game at 39.
With some adjustments, PSJA’s Maggie Orozco drove to the line on one possession got the lay in. On another one, she cut to the basket to pick up the foul.
Then, Kaitlynn Martinez and Ava Castillo tacked on some points of their own to give the Bears some breathing room and ultimately take the win.
The defensive effort was heralded by PSJA’s senior captain, Ava Castillo. She had a game high 9 steals, with four of them coming in the first. She also had a team high in points with 14.
As the game went down to the wire, Castillo said that helped push the team to give it their all.
“We had a lot more steals and a lot more energy fourth quarter because it was a kind of a close game,” the senior said. “So, I feel like that kind of lit a fire in us.”
Head Coach Marisa Gutierrez said that defense was a major key in winning the close match as the clock was winding down.
“We have to keep our intensity level up on defense,” the coach said. “It’s usually our bread and butter. We were a little off today but we just had to execute on offense as well.”
The Bears were set to play the Edinburg Bobcats this Tuesday at their house. The Edinburg North Cougars are set to take on cross-town rival, Economedes Jaguars.