By CONSTANCIO MARTINEZ, JR.
Special to the PRESS
This past Friday, the (28-6) Port Isabel Tarpons took on the (25-8) Floresville Tigers in the second round of the basketball playoffs. The Tarpons entered the game riding a 22-game winning streak, including a big 90-58 win over Alice in the Bi-District round. Meanwhile, Floresville entered the game with a 52-30 victory over West Oso to set up the Area round showdown.
The Tarpons secured the opening tip-off but needed help finding an opening against the Tigers’ defense. After a missed basket by the Tarpons, PI Aiden Sanchez managed to take the ball away and made the game’s first bucket, to the delight of the Tarpon fans attending the game.
Floresville’s offense also had a tough time against Port Isabel’s defense as the game turned into a defensive battle. Port Isabel’s Shaun Moore, who contributes more on the defensive side of the game, scored back-to-back baskets to give PI a 6-5 lead midway into the first quarter. The Tarpons then went on an 8-0 run as they closed out the first quarter with a 12-5 lead.
The Tarpons carried their tenacity into the second quarter as they continued their run. The Tigers were finally able to score with about five and a half minutes to go in the second quarter and now trailed 16-7.
Tigers’ Samuel Rodriguez’s back-to-back threes got Floresville back in the game as both teams’ offensives started to find better looks. The Tarpons held a 23-18 lead as the halftime buzzer went off.
As the third quarter got underway, both team’s defenses were still playing at a high level. With over a minute to go in the quarter, Jeffrey Smith found himself open for the three-pointer, hitting nothing but net. Smith had the only quarter points for the Tarpons as the team went three for ten from the floor. Meanwhile, the Tarpons’ defense played well, holding the Tigers to a single three-pointer in the quarter and heading to the final stanza with a 30-22 lead.
Port Isabel opened the fourth quarter with a 3-pointer by Christian Smith and an assist by twin Cleveland Smith. The Tarpons seemed poised to cruise to the win, but the Tigers had other ideas. Around the six-minute mark, Floresville went on a 10-0 run. A three-pointer by Floresville’s Rodriguez at the 3:38 mark tied the game up at 33-33. With the Tarpons missing shots and turning the ball over, the Tigers had momentum.
In the game’s final minutes, the Tarpons fell in foul trouble and were over the limit. With the Tigers holding onto a 39-35 lead, the Tarpons foul with time winding down. Floresville went on to clinch a 45-38 win from the free throw line, ending the Tarpon’s season.
Despite the loss, head coach Gilbert Rodriguez was proud of his team and their accomplishments this year. Coach Rodriguez said, “It is always tough to lose in the playoffs, no matter what round. Our boys had control for most of the game, and Floresville made a push in the fourth and gained the momentum to close it out. I was proud of our team for battling the whole game like we always do, but unfortunately, it just didn’t happen for us. I told our boys to be proud of their accomplishments this year and that our community and school were very proud of them. They made school history with a 29-7 overall record, first back-to-back district championships, first undefeated district record, and longest consecutive winning streak at 22 games.”
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