By CONSTANCIO MARTINEZ, JR.
Special to the PRESS
The 4A Port Isabel [PI] Tarpons’ basketball team has been on a roll as they recently beat the visiting 5A PSJA Bears 82-63 this past Friday night, Jan. 3.
The win extended the Tarpons’ streak to six games and head basketball coach Gilbert Rodriguez was pleased with the team’s performance.
“Our boys have shown improvement each practice and game. I’m very proud of them for putting the time and effort into learning and getting better. We are right where we need to be heading into District play,” said
Rodriguez.
CHRISTIAN SMITH AT TIPOFF (Courtesy photo/Constancio Martinez, Jr.)
The game got off to a slow start as both teams were feeling each other out. Port Isabel took an early 5-0 lead with sophomore Marcos Baldovinos scoring the first five points for the Tarpons including a three-pointer
to open the game.
The scoring picked up near the end of the first quarter as the teams went back and forth. With three seconds left in the quarter, PI’s Shiloh Galvan (19 points, seven rebounds, three assists, two steals) managed to hit
a three-pointer as the Tarpons closed out the quarter with a 19-13 lead.
Midway into the second quarter, PI’s Cleveland Smith (16 points, eight assists, five rebounds, three steals) hit a three-pointer for his first points of the night as the Tarpons now led 32-21. The Tarpons were playing
pretty well defensively, but eventually got in foul trouble during the period. The Tarpons went on a 5-0 run at the end of the quarter and now led 41-26 after two quarters of play.
The Tarpons extended their lead to 60-40 in third quarter with PI’s Christian Smith leading the charge with nine points during the period. Ch. Smith finished the night as the leading scorer with 24 points to go along
with his nine rebounds, six assists and three steals.
Midway into the fourth quarter, Ch. Smith found his twin Cl. Smith wide open for the three-pointer. On the next play, Cl. Smith returned the favor as he passed the ball to an open Ch. Smith and he proceeded to sink
a three as well giving the Tarpons a 74-50 lead.
The Bears made a late push with the Tarpons in foul trouble yet again, but the Tarpons had already built a significant lead and cruised to an 82-63 win.
The Tarpons will play their first district game this Friday, Jan. 10 as they hit the road to take on the La Grulla Gators, at 8 p.m.
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