Harlingen South dethrones Edinburg High, clinches share of 31-5A title

EDINBURG – The Harlingen South Hawks reacted to their 51-38 win over Edinburg High on Tuesday night like it was any other victory. There were no exaggerated celebrations or exhibitions of joy, nothing to make anybody think it was one of the most important regular season wins for the top-ranked Hawks in recent memory.

Maybe that’s because the Hawks (26-6 overall, 11-1 District 31-5A) had long expected to clinch a share of the District 31-5A championship, which they did Tuesday. They also know their goals for this season go beyond doing what they did Tuesday night.

“We’re not really about the hype,” said Nick Garcia, who scored 29 points for the Hawks. “We just try to motivate ourselves. In the beginning of the year they didn’t put us in the paper, and we knew we’d be on top, so it was our confidence that had to come out so we had to stay positive.”

While the Hawks will have two chances to clinch the title outright, their win Tuesday ended the Bobcats’ run of six straight district championships. That the Hawks did it on Edinburg High’s floor made it just a bit more special for coach Brian Molina.

“It makes it a little sweeter because Edinburg’s been king ever since I’ve been coaching in this district,” Molina said. “It’s a little sweeter coming over here to Edinburg High and doing it here.”

That was something Edinburg High coach Zeke Cuellar challenged his team to avoid. But Garcia’s 29 points and the Hawks’ defense assured that the Bobcats’ run as district champions would end Tuesday.

“We spoke about those things before the ballgame and we kind of challenged our guys and I think every time we challenged our guys we’ve come out on the short end of it,” Cuellar said, adding that his team was “outworked” by the Hawks.

The loss also complicates the playoff chances for the Bobcats (22-9, 8-4), who haven’t yet clinched a return to the postseason. But that isn’t a concern for Harlingen South.

“Playing in the district that we’re playing in and accomplishing this is big for our program,” Molina said. “And it’s just a testament to the kids on how hard they’ve worked all year.”  

Tuesday, and by extension this season, is something Cuellar can use as a lesson for his kids. He’ll now be able to tell his team that just because they play for Edinburg High, district championships aren’t guaranteed.

“That’s one of the things we try to instill in our guys, that nothing’s going to be given,” Cuellar said. “You’ve got to earn it, you’ve got to pay the price and apparently we didn’t work hard enough to get it done tonight.”

Brian Sandalow covers high school sports for Valley Freedom Newspapers. You can reach him at (956) 683-4436 or via email at bsandalow@themonitor.com.