By CONSTANCIO MARTINEZ, JR.
Special to the PRESS
The Port Isabel Tarpons hosted the La Grulla Gators this past Friday, Jan. 13, in a district matchup. The Tarpons entered the game on a nine-game winning streak, including a 2-0 district record. The Tarpons flexed their muscles early and often as they dominated the Gators for all four periods winning, 77-48.
The Tarpons struck first as Rudy Barrera secured a defensive rebound and quickly made a basket. From there, the Tarpons went on an 11-0 run capped by a two-point play by Shaun Moore. La Grulla’s Daniel Martinez finally made a basket to make it 11-2, in favor of PI, with 5:19 left in the first period. The Gators’ Martinez scored once more with seven seconds left in the first period, in what many thought was the last play of the period. Just as time was about to expire, PI’s Cleveland Smith hit a three-pointer and was fouled as well. A successful free throw put the Tarpons up 21-8 at the end of the first period.
PI’s Aiden Sanchez hit a basket beyond the arc to open the second period. The tempo slowed for a few minutes as the subs came in, but it picked up mid-period. With 3:40 left in the period, Cl. Smith made a 30-foot pass to an open Jeffery Smith, who pulled up for a three and hit nothing-but-net, extending their lead to 33-17. Similar to the end of the first period, Cl. Smith once again attempted a three-point shot as time expired, and was fouled yet again.
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