RGV squads fall in the Sweet 16
The third round of the high school basketball playoffs for the boys’ teams has officially concluded.
The three teams who were still dancing this basketball postseason were Brownsville Jubilee, Harlingen South, and you probably guessed this — the undefeated McHi Bulldogs — represented the Rio Grande Valley in the third round of the playoffs aka the “Sweet 16.”
Here’s a bit of a recap of the local teams and how they fared during the second and third rounds.
Brownsville Jubilee bounces into 3rd round
The Titans from Brownsville Jubilee have emerged as one of the top RGV teams operating out of Conference 4A this year.
A name that has earned recognition this year is Nick Zarate, who is a junior forward that averages about 18.4 points a game. With an impressive 24-5 overall record, the Titans have had some tough games in the playoffs.
The team got through the first round with an 83-73 win over the King Brahmas. Then in the second round, Brownsville Jubilee slipped by Wharton with a 50-49 dub.
In the Sweet 16, they faced the Wimberley Texans, who are one of the top teams in the state with a 35-2 record. They also finished undefeated in their own district.
The Titans fell on Tuesday night, by the score of 106-62.
Harlingen South stopped in Sweet 16
The Hawks from Harlingen South are by far one of the most scrappiest teams coming from the Rio Grande Valley. They are also one of the few teams that have garnered 30 wins on the season with a 30-7 record.
The first round of the Conference 5A Division II playoffs had the Hawks facing the Sharyland Pioneer Diamondbacks. Harlingen South took the win, 65-38.
The second round, though, the Hawks found themselves against another scrappy team, the Laredo Martin Tigers.
In that game, Harlingen South found themselves in very early trouble as they only scored 3 points in the first quarter. However, a second- quarter surge really propelled them going into the second half — in which went into overtime — to get the win, 57-54.
They lost to S.A. Veterans Memorial on Tuesday, 63-35.
McHi’s undefeated season ends
With great success, comes great responsibility as the then undefeated McAllen High School Bulldogs have had themselves a historic season. Most of the games this season have been decided by double digits as it was not uncommon for the ‘Dogs to post about 60 to 80 points on any given night.
However, after a first round win over the Edcouch-Elsa Yellowjackets, 81-62, there was a scare in the second round for McHi.
In a tough setting, McHi pulled out a 65-58 over Corpus Christi Ray who seemed like they couldn’t miss on the night.
The McHi bulldogs lost their first game Tuesday night against Alamo Heights in OT, 63-59.