West claims bragging rights

There hasn't been more basketball talent in a high school gym like the one Rivera had anywhere all season.

The East and West all-star teams showcased their skills with two competitive games as the East girls beat the west 33-26 while the west boys snuck past the east 55-56 at Rivera High School on Saturday night.

"We looked forward to coming out and having fun with all these great athletes from the valley," West coach Joe Filoteo. "I didn't know we were going to have to earn our money tonight but it was fun and exciting."

Down as many as 10 in the second half the east fought back when Hanna's Edward Casarez scored 7 points in the final 90 seconds to tie the game at 53.

The west took the lead hitting three free throws in the next two possessions including two from Sharyland's Chris Bodner.

With 19 seconds left the east found MMA's Malique Graham in the paint where he easily put in to cut the lead to one with just four ticks on the clock.

The east locked up on defense and forced a five-second violation from the west giving them hope for one last opportunity.

Los Fresnos' Alex Guerra took the inbound pass and drove to the lane and got a shot off but was called for travelling ending the contest.

"They got a little lead on us there and it was hard to comeback," East coach Don Denson said. "It was enjoyable and a good com-petitive ball game."

Casarez earned MVP honors for the East and McAllen Memorial's Sai Pina who hit four treys in the game received it for the West squad.

The girl's game started off slow but once the girls shook off the rust the baskets started to drop.

With the game knotted up at 14 to start the second half the East scored from all over with four different players scoring on a 10-4 run in the opening minutes.

The East kept their lead with solid defense from San Benito's Jill Briones who had team high nine points that eventually earned her MVP honors.

McAllen's Andi Garza tried to get a rally going making two free throws to cut the lead to 31-24 with 1:07 left but two steals from Briones hindered any chance the West to make a final run.

"The East really wanted it and I felt the difference was the kids were being scrappier," East coach Dawn Engleman said. "They were really hustling a lot and it's about winning. We out hustled them about wanted it more."