Pats' Safari: Mission Veterans takes down Valley View

MISSION — Valley View girls basketball coach Clarisse Arredondo believes no one will go unscathed during District 32-4A play.

“This is a tough district,” the Lady Tigers coach said. “Every game is going to be tough. I don’t think anyone will be undefeated in district this year.”

Her team lost its chance for a perfect district season last week and suffered a second league loss after a heartbreaking 45-43 setback to Mission Veterans Memorial on Tuesday at Mission Veterans.

The Lady Patriots (10-8, 3-0 district) kept their hopes of going undefeated alive, but if Tuesday’s contest was any indication they will have a tough time staying out of the loss column. Last week Mission Veterans escaped with a 41-39 victory over defending district champ Weslaco East. Still on the docket before the midpoint of district play are crosstown rival Mission High and undefeated Roma on the road.

“From top to bottom this district is good,” Lady Patriots coach Rafael Cantu Jr. said. “You have to be ready to play every night. You can lose on any night in this district.”

The Lady Patriots had their hands full with the Lady Tigers (6-11, 1-2), who did not go away. Every time Mission Veterans had some type of cushion, the Lady Patriots came back to tie the game.

“(The Lady Tigers) have a complete team,” Cantu said. “They have good guards and good posts. They have the complete package, so we knew they weren’t going to give up easily.”

Mission Veterans was up 41-33 with 1:33 remaining after Laura Rodriguez connected on two free throws.

Ashley Sanchez cut the lead to six 41-35 after driving along the baseline for a layup. A Mission Veterans turnover on the ensuing possession paved the way for a 3-pointer from Giovanna Saenz to cut the Lady Patriots’ edge to three at 41-38 with 48 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter.

After the teams traded baskets, the Lady Tigers tied the game at 43 with 14 seconds remaining when Valarie Venegas hit a 3 from the top of the key.

With Mission Veterans guard Sarah Benavides dribbling up the court, Sanchez intentionally fouled her. The Lady Tigers had been fouling late in order to get back into the game, but Arredondo said Sanchez didn’t realize she didn’t have to foul anymore.

“We were fouling, and I think it was just a mental breakdown,” Arredondo said. “I think she got too antsy and fouled her.”

Benavides hit both free throws. Valley View had a chance to tie the game with five seconds left, but a jump shot by Edna Ramirez came up short.

“I was pretty nervous,” Benavides said about her clutch free throws. “We practiced on our free throws earlier. I was just relaxed and just thinking about hitting the free throws.”

Brandi Taylor led the Lady Patriots with 13 points, followed by Benavides’ 12. Ramirez led the Lady Tigers with 12 points.

Peter Rasmussen covers girls basketball for The Monitor. You can reach him at (956) 683-4448.