Burbank beats Kennedy by a basket

TEAMS INCLUDED: Brackenridge, Burbank, East Central, Fox Tech, Harlandale, Kennedy, Lanier, Memorial, Providence, Sam Houston, Southwest,Young Women’s Leadership Academy.

While their volleyball teams were engaged in tough battles in different gyms, East Central and Harlandale locked horns at the Stan Bonewitz Center.

The host Hornets outscored Harlandale 7-4 in overtime to claim a 42-39 non-district win in the season opener for both teams. The Indians forged a 25-20 lead through three quarters, but East Central tied it at 30-30 by the end of regulation.

East Central lost each of its top four leading scorers to graduation, so it relied on some new faces to step up and secure the win.

Freshman Brittany Rodgers led East Central with 14 points. Senior Claudia Flores chipped in 12 points. Sophomore Janik Alexander-Smith added nine points.

Harlandale’s offense once again is anchored around senior post Connie Garza. Garza finished with 13 points, five rebounds and three blocked shots.

Justyne Perez provided nine points, four rebounds and two steals for the Indians. Elizabeth Herrera led Harlandale with 10 rebounds, to go with six points and two steals. Miranda Samarripa was credited with six points, five rebounds and three steals.

Burbank 40, Kennedy 38

Two of the Bulldogs top volleyball players appear to have had no difficulty making the transition to basketball.

Post Antwanisha Riddle scored 13 points and Alejandra Martinez added 10 to lead Burbank to a narrow victory over Kennedy. Burbank led 19-15 at halftime, but the teams were tied 28-28 after three quarters.

The Rockets received 18 points from Cameron Orta and 10 from Esmeralda Manzanares. It was the first game this season for both teams.

Fox Tech 48, Providence 32

The Buffaloes outscored the Provets 12-0 in the first quarter and pulled away to a 16-point, non-district win Tuesday at Providence.

Ashwani Bhakta scored 12 points and Elisabeth Crane supplied 11 for Fox Tech. Ruby Chapa contributed eight points.

For Providence, Gabriele Mitchell posted a team-high nine points. Gabriella Gutierrez finished with seven.

Southwest 74, Lanier 34

Dragons senior standout Tiffani Rodriguez got her season, and Southwest’s, off to a strong start Tuesday. Rodriguez scored 23 points in her home gym.

Sophomore Alexandra Busby supplied 11 points for Southwest. Melissa Lockridge and Briana Longoria each added eight.

Lanier was led by 10 points from senior LeeAnna Martinez. Sabrina Cortinas finished with six for the Voks.

Memorial 39, Young Women’s Leadership Academy 35

The Minutemen led the Cardinals at the end of each quarter in the season opener for both teams Tuesday at Lanier’s Alumni Center. No individual statistics were available for either team.

Brackenridge 76, Sam Houston 45

The defending District 28-4A champions got off to a rousing start with a non-district victory over Sam Houston Tuesday at Brackenridge. The Eagles benefited from strong outings from two of their returning veterans.

Miranda Acuna and Breeann Hernandez each scored 16 points to lead Brack. Brittany Morales and Tevis Thomas also were in double figures with 10 apiece. Sabrina Coronado scored eight points.

D. Green scored a game-high 21 points for the Hurricanes. Dajah Thomas added seven points.

La Vernia 56, Southside 47

The Class 3A Bears overcame a fast start by host Southside and went on to defeat their Class 4A opponent by nine points in the season opener for both teams. The Cardinals led 17-12 after a quarter and trailed 29-23 at the half.

Southside were led by 12 points from Desiree Rodriguez. Aimee Wood scored eight points and Brianna Wood added eight for Southside.

Autumn Light led La Vernia with 15 points.