By Brian Argabright
The 830 Times
District play has arrived for the Queens basketball team, and the players liked it so much they decided they wanted to play a little bit extra.
Del Rio and Laredo LBJ went into overtime Tuesday night, and the Queens outscored the visiting Lady Wolves 13-10 in the extra period to pick up a tough 64-61 win.
The Queens came out strong in the first quarter, outscoring LBJ to take a 16-8 behind nine points from Kaylah Livingston. But LBJ rallied in the second quarter as Del Rio failed to hit a shot from the field, instead scoring four points off free throws. LBJ scored 12 points and the two teams went to halftime tied 20-20.
The third quarter resembled something of a track meet as LBJ and Del Rio exchanged baskets through the period. LBJ’s Vanessa Ugalde led the charge, scoring nine points in the third for the Lady Wolves. Del Rio benefited from its more aggressive play, earning 15 trips to the free throw line in the third.
Despite attempting 11 more free throws than LBJ did in the third, the Queens managed to make only five of their shots. At one point Queens head coach Marisa Soto tried to throw an empty water bottle into a nearby trash can and watched as it bounced out, leaving her to comment that her shot mirrored that of her team’s.
Del Rio carried a 38-35 lead into the fourth quarter and continued building on its advantage behind quick dashes to the basket and strong interior play. LBJ countered with its fast break and relentless defense that led to turnovers that led to points. Alessandra Gonzalez was a force in the fourth, scoring seven points and helping LBJ grab a 51-49 lead with 17.83 seconds left in regulation.
With just seconds left to play, the Queens were able to steal the ball from Gonzalez and get the ball to Iezabella Allen-Jimenez who scored from in close to tie the game at 51-51 and send the game to overtime.
In the overtime, the Queens continued to press their advantage in the paint and earn repeated trips to the free throw line. Del Rio had 14 free throws in overtime and fouled three different LBJ players out of the game.
Livingston was 5-of-6 from the free throw line, leading Del Rio with seven points in the extra frame and helping the Queens open district play with a three-point win.
LBJ was led by Gonzalez’s 26 points. Ugalde had 14 points and Nataly Amaro had 10 points.
Del Rio was led by Allen-Jimenez’s 21 points and Livingston’s 20 points. Janiah Ross had eight points, Vanessa De La Cruz had six points, Perla Rosas had four points, Yolisbeth Flore had three points, and Zoey Martinez and Aylin Hernandez each had one point.
The Queens travel to Laredo to face Alexander at 7 p.m. Del Rio will face United at 7 p.m. on Tuesday in the Carl P. Guys Memorial Gymnasium.
In other district games, United South beat Alexander 56-47 and Medina Valley beat Eagle Pass 59-25.
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Contact the author at drnhsports@gmail.com
