Mercedes emerges from pack to win HCISD summer league title

By EDWARD SEVERN

Staff Writer

HARLINGEN — Twenty-eight Rio Grande Valley high school basketball teams competed in the HCISD Summer League.

On Thursday, only the Mercedes Tigers remained.

The Tigers defeated Harlingen South 48-42 in a District 32-5A preview. Mercedes’ David Clower and Harlingen South’s Steven Ortegon highlighted the game for their respective teams.

Clower’s driving abilities and finishing at the rim edged out Ortegon’s 3-point shooting. Mercedes built a solid lead early, but Ortegon’s 3s made it close. Mercedes’ Joaquin Gonzales stepped up for the Tigers down the stretch.

“It is honestly a good feeling,” Clower said. “Last season we missed the playoffs, so this is a good confidence booster. There was a lot of good competition that will get us better for the season coming up. Harlingen South is going to be in our district, so it is good we beat them in the championship round.”

Thirty-two teams participated in the league. Four of the teams were comprised of sub-varsity athletes from Harlingen High and Harlingen South, the hosts of the tournament.

After league play concluded, the teams were seeded for the tournament.

“This is an extremely important league,” Harlingen High coach Clayton Cretors said. “These are good reps these kids are getting. The more that these kids can play, the more they can be in situations to work their defenses and offenses, it’s always important.”

Harlingen South defeated Los Fresnos and Mercedes defeated Weslaco East to advance to the final.

“I am really pleased how my kids played,” Harlingen South coach Brian Molina said. “I think they play with a chip on their shoulder because we were a senior-heavy ball club last year. A lot of teams are not expecting us to do much, so they took it as a challenge and they played well.”