FALFURRIAS — Friday night’s Class 5A area-round matchup against Laredo Cigarroa was personal for McAllen Rowe.
The Toros defeated the Warriors in the same round last season, snapping a 20-game winning streak by McAllen Rowe and ending its magical season, which included the team’s first district championship since 2016.
It was a different story Friday at Falfurrias Junior High.
Led by a dominant effort from seniors Yulissa Yebra and Evelyn Valero, the Warriors jumped out early and kept their foot on the gas en route to a dominating 53-26 victory during the Region IV-5A area-round matchup.
The win punches the Warriors a ticket to the third round of the postseason for the first time since 2012. They’ll take on the Corpus Christi Veterans Eagles at a date, time and location to be determined.
“The girls weren’t scared of the moment tonight,” McAllen Rowe head coach Alex Robles said. “Last year with all the pressure of the win streak and district titles, it got to us last year. Not to take anything away from Laredo Cigarroa. They had a hell of a team and they earned it last year. Today, coming in, we knew what to expect. We told them we already experienced this moment last year, so don’t be scared. They enjoyed it and had fun with it.”
Valero and Yebra combined for 35 of the Warriors’ 53 points during the win, dominating the boards and getting hard-earned buckets inside the paint.
Their biggest effort came during the third, with the post duo combining for 11 of the team’s 13 points during the period to extend the Warriors’ lead to 18 heading into the final period. Yebra scored six of her 15 points during the quarter.
“That has been the game plan all year long,” Valero said. “We know what we have. Yulissa and I have been playing on the same team since seventh grade. We know how each other play, and we know how we work.”
The Warriors jumped out to a fast start during the contest, a different scenario from last year’s matchup against the Toros which featured McAllen Rowe trailing for a majority of the game.
Valero led the offensive charge during the first quarter, scoring 11 of her game-high 20 points during the period.
Once ahead, the Warriors kept their foot on the gas, with the Toros never coming within single digits again after the first.
“It was a lot more personal than last year,” Valero said. “Last year they crushed us all when they broke that winning streak we had. Tonight, we knew what to expect. We planned way ahead because we knew this was a possible matchup in the playoffs. We were ready for them. It is this group’s first time making it to the third round. That has been the goal all year. It wasn’t a district title. It was getting to this next round. To be able to make that goal, it feels good. Now we’re just trying to make it as far as we can.”
