LOS FRESNOS — It’s not often district champions face off in the opening round of the state playoffs, but Edinburg North and Los Fresnos found themselves locked into a tight bi-district battle Tuesday night.
The District 31-6A co-champion Cougars defeated the District 32-6A tri-champion Falcons 78-73 in a back-and-forth playoff matchup Tuesday at Los Fresnos High School to punch their ticket to this weekend’s area round.
“We knew coming in they were going to be well-prepared. I knew when we were up in the first quarter, I knew it was a game of runs,” Edinburg North head coach Carlos Ramos said. “I knew they were going to close (the lead), but our kids came out and battled through. They did a hell of a job.”
![](https://myrgv.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/ALC_1720-683x1024.jpeg)
North (30-9) raced out to an 11-0 lead in the opening minutes and held a 25-7 advantage after the first quarter. Dre Estrada scored 10 of his 17 points during the opening frame.
The Falcons (27-10) fought their way back possession by possession, however, making it a 58-57 game midway through the fourth quarter. JJ Salazar scored 20 of his game-high 31 during the second half, and Jude Barreda scored 10 of his 16 during the fourth.
![](https://myrgv.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/alc_2357-Large-683x1024.jpeg)
But the Cougars counterpunched as Osmar Alanis and Josiah Cruz closed the show with big baskets inside and solid free-throw shooting down the stretch.
Alanis finished with 19 to lead North. Estrada finished with 17 points, Raul Palacios scored 16 points with four made 3-pointers, and Cruz finished with 14 points.
![](https://myrgv.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/ALC_2599-Large-682x1024.jpeg)
Andrew Munoz added 11 points for Los Fresnos and Gio Galvan chipped in with nine.
“It was definitely a battle. We came out hot, but they put up a fight,” North senior guard Joseph Cruz said. “It was a good game and they played until the end. I got to give props to my team, though. They hit big time shots, made big time stops, so just being part of this team, I love it.”
Edinburg North will meet the winner of Laredo United South (26-9) and San Antonio Jay (22-8), who are scheduled to play at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday.