- Sand Castle Days Continued Despite Unexpected Weather
- Ready for District
- Discussion of Garbage Dumpster Rates, Agreements Between State & City on Highway Regulations, and More
- 31st Annual Shrimp Cook-Off is Right Around the Corner
- LFHS Cross Country
- Local Company is Helping People With a Mission in Mind
- Valley Native Bringing Advanced Oncology Services To UT Health RGV Cancer and Surgery Center
- Los Fresnos Annual Cook-Off Is Right Around The Corner
- Los Fresnos Falcons Hold Meet and Greet for the Community
- Los Fresnos Locals Open Up a New Business in Town
Salazar, Falcons Power Past PSJA North
- Updated: December 9, 2022
By Ruben Rodriguez
Los Fresnos News
Within the last two years, Los Fresnos’ JJ Salazar has emerged as one of the top players in the Rio Grande Valley. Salazar showed why on Tuesday Night as Los Fresnos defeated PSJA North 61-52.
After being outscored in the first quarter, Los Fresnos turned the tide and outscored the Raiders in each quarter. Despite outscoring the Raiders in the second quarter, powered by a 12-point second by Salazar, the Falcons still trailed 32-30.
A tough task for the Falcons, the Raiders were led by the freshman-senior duo of Mason Lopez and Gianni Beltran, both who finished with over 20 points.
Continuing to be a back-and-forth shootout between the Raiders and Falcons, Luis Ramirez and Luis Guerra teamed up to dominate the boards for Los Fresnos, picking up 10 points from second chance buckets. Despite Beltran being the key rebounder and leading scorer for PSJA North, Los Fresnos would Hold on to win 61-52.
“The guys came to compete, We played a great game”, said Falcons Head Coach Marco Hinojosa.
After the rough first quarter, Hinojosa made some adjustments. “We pride ourselves on defense and always say offense will take care of itself, that didn’t happen in the first”, said Hinojosa. “There were some adjustments and we finally woke up, won the rest of the quarters and that’s what basketball is about. This team has shown a lot of fight this year.
A core of returners for the Falcons, JJ Salazar, Gio Galvan, Jude Barrera, Luis Ramos and Luis Guerra all contributed to Los Fresnos’ win. “This season, our motto is ‘We over Me’.We know that’s what it’s going to take”, said Hinojosa. “These guys are very unselfish, We’re averaging about 14-15 assists per game. They trust each other and we have balanced scoring”.
Salazar, who led the Falcons offense with 28 points, spoke on his performance alongside his teammates. “Our team was able to limit them and we rebounded the ball well” said Los Fresnos Junior JJ Salazar.
Down 18-13 at the end of the first, Salazar and company knew that they needed to get in gear. “Coach talked to us and we just took it all in”, said Salazar. “We came here, it was an hour drive. I wasn’t going to lose and neither were my teammates. We just wanted it”.
In what was a power struggle for the lead between LF and PSJAN, Salazar had a 12-point second quarter to turn the tide and sparked the offense for the Falcons. “They were able to help me get open. When I was not open, my team did a great job in attacking and getting to the basket”.
With the win Los Fresnos improved to 12-4. The Falcons will compete in this weekend’s City of Palms Classic in McAllen. “We’re there to get better, we got Alice to come Thursday, and we’ll have our hands full”, said Hinojosa. “It’s been a fun tournament the past couple of years. Looking forward to getting better and preparing for district”.
“I’m ready, it’s going to be fun. Ready to see some players I played summer ball with”, said Salazar. “We are all ready to get after it”.
