By Brian Argabright
The 830 Times
With a full roster and a new attitude, the Del Rio Queens basketball team charged into district play Friday looking to take its first steps towards a return to the playoffs.
Behind a double-double from the returning Laila Betancourt, the Queens stopped the Laredo LBJ Lady Wolves, 50-43, to open play in District 30-6A with a win and improve to 12-11 overall.
It was also the first district win for first year head coach Marisa Soto, whose excitement was evident even through text messages.
“It feels great!” Soto said. “I’m so proud of my girls! I’m glad they were able to reap the benefits of all the hard work they have been putting in!”
LBJ (1-1) had already played one district game, dispatching Eagle Pass earlier in the week, but the Queens benefited from the return of its former all-district post player.
Betancourt had been absent from the Queens roster since mid-November, but she returned with a vengeance Friday night. And while she only had two points in the first half, Betancourt turned it on when it mattered most, scoring eight in the fourth quarter to seal the win.
Betancourt was also a presence on the boards, grabbing 15 rebounds.
Del Rio was paced in the first half by Sydney Ballard. The senior hit three 3-pointers in the first half and led the Queens to a 24-15 advantage at the break.
The Queens were consistent throughout the game. They scored at least 11 points in each quarter, and seven different girls scored for the team.
They also started the game on a strong note, holding LBJ to just three points in the first quarter and putting the Lady Wolves in a hole they were never able to climb out of.
Betancourt finished with 16 points to go along with her 15 rebounds. Ballard had 15 points. Joselyn Gonzalez had eight points, Allie Rodriguez had four points, Makayla Lewis had three points, and Alexia Muñiz and Annette Betancourt each had two points.
In other district games, Laredo United South (2-0) defeated Laredo Nixon (0-2), 56-26; and Laredo United (1-1) crushed Eagle Pass (0-2), 91-29. United dropped its district opener to United South Tuesday. Laredo Alexander (1-0) was off after beating Nixon earlier in the week in the district opener for both teams.
The Queens will host the Laredo United Lady Longhorns Tuesday at 2 p.m. at the Carl P. Guys Memorial Gymnasium.
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Contact the author at drnhsports@gmail.com
