HARLINGEN — Harlingen South started late but finished when it counted most as the Lady Hawks defeated the Brownsville Lady Golden Eagles 52-41 at home on Tuesday evening.
However, the win did not come without a loss as Harlingen South’s star player, Karla Reyes, was helped off the court with under a minute left in the contest. Reyes would not return and finished the night with 10 points and three steals.
While all eyes were on Reyes, teammate Laura Ramirez quietly scored a team high 12 points with three 3-pointers and four steals. Also, Cameron Del Angel had nine points and three steals while Jamie Ambriz contributed six points and four steals.
The win pushed the Lady Hawks to 2-1 in District 32-6A action heading into the Christmas break.
“We had some really good defensive bursts starting with Jamie (Ambriz), Victoria (Huerta) and Amber Lopez, which really boosted the team and got it going,” said Harlingen South Kelly Garrett. “After the break I just told them that we just have to attack them offensively and defensively we need to box out and get the ball.”
Despite the win, the Lady Hawks started slow and did not get on the board until midway through the first. However, they finished the quarter on a 6-0 run to take an early 9-4 lead.
South’s run continued well into the second period when Ramirez hit one of her 3-pointers to push the Lady Hawks’ lead to 17-7. However, that’s when Hanna’s Mia Paz woke up and carried the Lady Eagles to 12-5 run in the second to cut South’s lead to 22-19 at the break.
Paz scored 14 points in the second period alone and finished the night with a game high 26 points.
After the break South’s defense stiffened up and held Hanna to just five points in the third while going on a 15-3 run to head into the third quarter up 37-24.
Up next, the Lady Hawks head to the House of Pain tournament in McAllen next weekend.
