Southwest defeats 2012 state finalist Steele; Central Catholic downs rival for 17th straight

TEAMS INCLUDED: Brackenridge, Burbank, Central Catholic, East Central, Edison, Fox Tech, Harlandale, Highlands, Lanier, McCollum, Memorial, South San, Southwest.

Photos taken by KJ Toso. For more photos or to purchase photos, please visit: kjtoso.photoreflect.com

The host Indians (18-10, 7-2) were tied with Floresville after three quarters Saturday at Harlandale, but that changed in the next three minutes.

Harlandale scored 12 unanswered points in that timeframe to spurt ahead and gave itself a lead it never relinquished for an 83-77 win. Each of the four baskets was a three-pointer. Jose Salinas (9 points) sank two while Ram Torres (15 points) and Mando Guerrero (14 points) found the target on one apiece.

It was the first District 29-4A loss for first-place Floresville (12-12, 8-1). Harlandale and McCollum, which defeated Memorial Saturday, share second place.

Floresville closed to 77-75 in the final minute on a pair of free throws from junior Chris Albert (18 points, 6 rebounds, 3 steals, 2 blocked shots). Two free throws from Torres and a basket from Jesus Maltos (12 points) lifted the Indians out of harm’s way.

The Indians had spurted to a 9-2 lead in the first quarter behind three-pointers from Guerrero and Torres, but the Tigers closed to 29-25 by the quarter’s end, giving an indication of the barnburner to come.

Harlandale never trailed, but never led by more than seven before its fourth-quarter shooting flurry.

Joshua Rodriguez was one of four Harlandale players in double figures with 11 points. Estevan Mendiola scored a game-high 21 points for Floresville.

Southwest 77, Steele 73

The Dragons (8-19, 2-3) battled for a four-point victory over Steele, which reached the Class 5A state quarterfinals last year, Saturday at Southwest. The win moved Southwest into a fourth-place tie with South San (12-14, 2-3).

Southwest had a 32-31 halftime lead and took charge with a 29-point third quarter. The Knights (13-13, 3-2) outscored the Dragons 22-16 in the fourth quarter.

Dragons coach David Brawner said the key to victory for his team was its perseverance and never-quit attitude.

Senior guard Brian Perez led Southwest with 21 points. Junior Aaron Embry supplied 19 points. Devanta Hayes chipped in with 15 points. Latrel Grant scored eight.

Edison 49, Highlands 46

The Golden Bears (18-10, 7-2) broke a second-place tie in District 28-4A Saturday, edging Highlands (12-10, 6-3) at Alamo Convocation Center.

The Owls  led 26-23 at halftime. Edison outscored Highlands 11-10 in the third quarter and 15-10 in the fourth.

The Golden Bears received 13 points and four rebounds from senior guard Justin Torres, who made six of seven free throws. Jared Zapata added 10 points and five rebounds. Justin Rodriguez scored nine.  Lorenzo Vela finished with 10 rebounds and seven assists.

For Highlands, Demarcus Hartfield had a team-best 19 points.

Central Catholic 50, Antonian 34

The pendulum swing back toward the Buttons (20-6, 2-0) in the Central Catholic-Antonian rivalry. Central Catholic also won their first meeting in 2012-13 and the Apaches won the re-match.

Central Catholic extended its impressive winning streak to 17 games in the TAPPS District 2-5A contest at St. Mary’s University’s Bill Greehey Arena.

Antonian (23-10, 1-1) was within 18-15 after a quarter and 24-19 at halftime. The Buttons, No. 7 in the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches Large Private School state poll, added 12 points to their lead in the third quarter for the commanding victory.

Senior post Daniel Kellum, whose father also played for the Buttons, had a team-high 18 points. Fellow big man Tony Lewis battled foul trouble to score 10 points.

Central Catholic plays host to St. Anthony (17-9, 1-1) at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in a 2-5A game.

East Central 97, Corpus Christi King 64

The Hornets (16-7, 2-0) ran the area’s second-longest winning streak to eight games Friday and remained undefeated in District 28-5A Friday at East Central.

First-place East Central made a serious run at the century mark against Corpus Christi King (0-5 in district), rolling to a 53-30 halftime lead. The final total was a season-high scoring output for the Hornets.

Junior wing Brandon Keno had a breakout game for East Central, scoring 22 points. Senior Dylan Guerrero (15 points), Ethan White (12) and Albert Jimenez (11) also scored in double figures. Patrick Hamilton and Brandon McClure each contributed eight points.

McCollum 77, Memorial 68 (OT)

These District 29-4A teams went to overtime for the second time this season.

Just as they had in their first meeting Dec. 29,  the Cowboys (17-10, 7-2) prevailed Saturday at Edgewood Gym. This time, McCollum outscored hard-luck Memorial (9-27, 4-5) 16-7 in overtime.

It was the third overtime loss in district play for the young Minutemen.

The Minutemen were prepared for the contest, forging an 18-11 lead in the first quarter. McCollum gained the upper hand by outscoring the Minutemen 23-4 in the second quarter. Memorial scored 39 second-half points to overcome the 12-point halftime deficit.

Senior guard Nathan Martinez scored a career-high 30 points for the Cowboys. Angel Loera added 17 points and Tre Johnson contributed 15. Cosmo Cantu and Joey Villarreal each scored 15.

The 1-2 punch of senior Joe Aguilar (26 points) and junior Bryan Obregon (20 points) came through for Memorial. Joseph Aguillen provided 10 points and Albert Machado had eight. 

MORE TO COME