Vela pulls off upset against Raiders

The Robert Vela SaberCats went up against some great odds as they took on the PSJA North Raiders in Pharr this past Friday in a district matchup. For starters, away games are always tough, no matter where they’re at, especially in big games like this and the crowd can be heard roaring after every basket.

Vela, though, took the 54-51 win that went down to the wire. This was the third contest in which both of these teams met as the SaberCats were defeated the first couple times around.

“It was a hard-fought win,” Head Coach Lottie Zarate said. “... I’m just so proud of these young ladies because they never give up.”

In the opening quarter, the Raiders looked to keep the momentum in their favor as they outscored Vela, 14-8.

The second quarter had the ‘Cats trying to climb their way back.

A bit of a spark came when Khloe Trevino drove it all the way down court for the layup and the foul.

After a missed possession by the Raiders, Vela’s Gena Benavidez hit a lone free throw to bring it to 22-15.

There was a bit of a cold streak by PSJA North and Vela capitalized with Kayna Dupree’s assist to Benavidez for the bucket in the paint.

After a timeout, Madison Stanfield drilled a three from the left wing to push the lead to eight — 25-17. A few possessions later, Alexandra Gonzalez, hit a lay in keep a 2722 lead at the half.

A couple of threes by the Raiders and some blocks by Khloe Badillo, kept the momentum for the team but Vela’s fight persevered as Madison Cantu hit a fast break layup and then immediately after, Khloe Trevino knocked down a basket to finally claim a 40-37 lead in the third.

Vela led 45-37 as Madison Cantu cashed in a three from the corner before time expired. The explosive third quarter resulted in the SaberCats earning 23 points compared to PSJA North’s 10.

The fourth quarter hit a bit of a standstill as neither team scored in the first minute and a half. With scrappy defense from both sides, there was no such thing as “easy baskets.”

Vela, though, played it strategically trying to milk the clock as much as they could.

PSJA North’s Madison Stanfield hit the lefty layup with the foul and knocked down the free throw to bring it to 49-44 — with Vela leading.

The pressure was then on, literally, as the Raiders ran a full court press to get the ball back.

With Stanfield’s two free throws and a lay in by Gonzalez. Vela only had a 50-48 lead.

Some missed free throws by Vela then was capitalized Gonzalez who swished a three from the left wing with a step back, giving the Raiders a 51-50 lead.

However, defensive pressure and free throws by Vela’s Benavidez and Gabby Jaramillo, who also had a bucket in the fourth, gave Vela the advantage to earn the win, 54-51.

“You know, our motto is, ‘Everything, every day’ and we give everything we got.

... Because of our heart and hustle, I mean, I just love my team,” Zarate said.