(Courtesy photo/Albert Villegas)
By ALBERT VILLEGAS
Special to the NEWS
CORPUS CHRISTI, TX—The West Oso Bears ended the Rio Hondo Bobcats’ basketball season winning their Class 3A Division I area round game, 57-44, at Calallen High School last Friday.
The Bears were the first to score in double digits during the opening quarter, with Rio Hondo trailing by seven points.
The Bobcats got within 11-10, but West Oso stretched the lead with a basket.
Unfortunately for Rio Hondo, the Bears’ lead mushroomed the rest of the way, leading to a trip to the third round.
Rio Hondo’s season ended with a 21-14 record.
Bobcat Head Basketball Coach Mike Alvarez said it was a season to remember, despite the postseason exit.
“This was a special group for me. I’ve had a couple of these guys for four years, and I’m sad the season is over,” Alvarez said. “I’m very proud of this group. We battled adversity all year long, whether it be injury or illness.”
Among the statistical leaders were senior Caleb Sandoval (19 points per game average, six assists per game average, and two steal per game average), senior Ruben Atkinson (16 points, three assists, five rebounds), and freshman Michael Lopez (10 points, 10 rebounds).
They each showcased their talents in District 32-3A that saw Rio Hondo finish second with a 14-4 record.
“This was a resilient group, and I think it showed over the course of the season; it was a tough district schedule with some tough non-district games, and these guys never backed down,” Alvarez said. “Different guys had to show up at different times of the year, and that will help us with experience going into next season.”
District champ Lyford also lost in the same round to Taft, 57-54. In bi-district, Raymondville lost to London, 81-50, and Santa Rosa fell to IDEA Quest College Prep, 95-82.
It was a district that helped all playoff qualifiers compete against teams from the north of the Rio Grande Valley.
“We are very close to where we want to be, and we hope to continue the Bobcat tradition,” Alvarez said.