Los Fresnos News

A Thrilling Run

Lady Falcons #1 Maritza Ortega, Junior

By Ruben Rodriguez
Los Fresnos News

The Los Fresnos Lady Falcons competed in the 2021 BISD Tournament December 2nd through the 4th where they finished in 2nd place after suffering a loss to the Edinburg Vela Lady Sabercats in the Platinum Bracket Championship game. But how did they get there?


Heading into the tournament, The Lady Falcons were sorted into Pool G alongside Rio Hondo and Lyford. Compared to the Boys Tournament, Girl’s pool play was a must-win if a team wanted to punch their ticket to the winner’s bracket. In game one, The Lady Falcons faced off against the Lyford Lady Bulldogs. Quickly Los Fresnos got to work both offensively and defensively, completely shutting down a high-paced Lady Bulldogs attack. In the second quarter, Los Fresnos held Lyford scoreless by going on a 16-0 run. Dominance on both sides of the ball continued as the Lady Falcons defeated the Lady Bulldogs by a score of 78-23.


Later that evening in the final matchup of Pool G, Los Fresnos was set to take on the Rio Hondo Lady Bobcats, a team with an explosive offense led by Eliza Rodriguez, who has been putting up more than 20 points a game. Both teams, who have a fast style of play, quickly went on the attack against each other. A classic chess match of a game. The First Quarter ended with both the Lady Bobcats and Lady Falcons tied up at 10-10. In the second quarter, Rio Hondo picked up the intensity on both sides of the ball, outscoring Los Fresnos by six to make it 26 to 19 heading into halftime. In the third quarter, Los Fresnos turned it around to make it a back and forth battle heading into the Fourth Quarter. The high-intensity matchup went down to the wire as within the final seconds, a tipped pass by Maritza Ortega which was then caught by Gaby Garrido who drove it back to feed the pass to Sarahi Jones to put in the game-winning shot to defeat Rio Hondo 52-51. Jones finished with 20 points.


Day 2, the Lady Falcons took on Brownsville Pace in a preparation match as both teams were heading into the elimination rounds. Los Fresnos took control from the start and maintained control throughout the course of the game to win 69 to 28. Maritza Ortega received player of the game for putting up 17 points. In the First Elimination game, The Lady Falcons took on the San Perlita Lady Trojans in the tournament quarterfinals. What Started as a close matchup quickly went the Lady Falcon’s way as they quickly took control to win 84-44. Olivia Parra received player of the game as she tacked on 15 points and eight rebounds.

#13 Oliva Parra Highschool Junior. Photo by Brittany Marvin


After a strong performance on day 2, the Lady Falcons began Saturday in a semi-final rematch against McAllen High. The last time the Lady Falcons faced off against McHi was at the Border Bash Tournament, a game in which the Lady Falcons won 48-47. Both teams had a close-knit matchup throughout but the Lady Falcons continuously maintained control on both sides of the ball to secure the win 42 to 30. Aylene Ortega was awarded player of the game for leading the Scoring with 16 points.


Now having punched their ticket to the Platinum Bracket Championship game, Los Fresnos was set to face off against 31-6A Powerhouse Edinburg Vela. The Lady Sabercats, who are known to have an explosive dominant style of play, quickly assumed control of the game after Los Fresnos took the lead at the end of the first quarter 8 to 7. Edinburg Vela’s Janai Coleman and Emma Lucio combined for 14 points at the half. Sarahi Jones, Aylene Ortega, and company began to answer back on offense as Jones and Ortega led the scoring with a combined 26 points. However, Coleman, Lucio, and the Lady Sabercats held on to win 51 to 31 to capture the 2021 BISD Tournament Championship.


The Lady Falcons finished off tournament play with a great 5-1 record. Leading scorers for Los Fresnos included Maritza Ortega who finished the tournament with 33 points, Sarahi Jones finished with 65 points. Aylene Ortega finished with 62 points. Olivia Parra finished with 34 points, and Gaby Garrido finished with 334 points. Val Prazelini, Ali Tobar, and Karina Alvarez combined for a tournament total of 48 points.