Alexander wins Mission tournament

MISSION — From tip-off it was evident that both Laredo Alexander and Alamo Heights knew exactly what type of intensity was needed to come up with the Mission Thanksgiving Classic trophy Saturday in Mission.

Having exchanged several runs throughout the game, Alexander turned it up a notch going on a 7-2 run that gave it a six-point lead with two minutes to go in the game. Alamo Heights’ Thomas Villanueva cut the lead to three on a 3-pointer and was robbed from another a possession after to tie things up at 61. Instead, Laredo Alexander escaped with the 64-58 win after shooting free throws.

“This is a good way to start the season,” Alexander coach Luis Valdez said. “The kids played good and executed even better. Hopefully this will be a continuation for the remainder of the season.”

An impressive performance by Alexander’s front line was a major difference in the game as seniors Sergio Trevino and Andrew Hall combined for 32 points 17 rebounds and five blocks.

Trevino, MVP of the tournament, set his team’s mood throughout and ended with 19 points five rebounds and three steals. Trevino said the win lets them know where they are at and believes beating a solid team like Alamo Heights will propel them in the right direction.

Hall, who went for 13 points, 12 boards and four blocks feels his team’s game has not gotten enough respect and believes that the victory will gain them that recognition.

“We always focus and never put ourselves down,” he said. “I didn’t anticipate anything coming into this game. All I wanted to do was come out here, go to work and do anything I could to get us that win.”

Alamo Heights, which led only three times in the game, fought back from eight- and nine-point deficits in the third quarter. Returning starter Villanueva finished with a game-high 27 points in the loss. With players out due to football and injuries, Alamo Heights coach Charlie Boggess admits his team is in a process of evolution and believes the loss will help them better mold themselves into what they want to be.

“Alexander knows how to do it and when to it. Down the stretch our inexperience and their experience showed up,” Boggess said. “I think that was probably the difference. If there’s such a thing as a good loss this is probably a good loss because it’s going to teach us some things.”