By Brian Argabright
The 830 Times
Though the Queens dropped their latest district game by 10 points to Laredo Nixon, the way Del Rio fought wasn’t lost on first year head coach Marisa Soto.
Del Rio traveled to Laredo Tuesday and suffered its second District 30-6A loss of the season, 53-43, to the Nixon Lady Mustangs. Despite trailing for most of the game, the Queens were within striking distance late, but it was Nixon’s showing at the free throw line that made the ultimate difference.
“We were down by six with 1:30 and had to foul to stop clock. It didn’t help that Nixon made four free throws late in the game to extend their lead,” Soto said. “Our kids played hard, but we just ran out of time.”
Nixon made 7-of-12 free throws in the fourth quarter to help seal the win.
Del Rio trailed 18-12 after the first quarter, but the second quarter was a complete reversal for both teams as the Lady Mustangs and Queens combined to score just seven points. Nixon had four points while Sydney Ballard had all three of Del Rio’s points in the second.
Down 22-15 at halftime, Del Rio was looking to get right back into the contest in the third quarter, but Nixon came out hot and scored 16 points while holding the Queens to just nine points to grab a commanding 38-24 lead headed into the final quarter.
Then Ballard took over.
The all-district senior scored 15 points in the fourth quarter as it seemed she tried to will her team to victory. She got help from Karolina Alderete and Allie Rodriguez in the scoring column in the fourth, but Nixon’s work at the free throw line was too much to overcome.
If there was a silver lining for the Queens in the loss it was their performance from the free throw line. Del Rio shot 72 percent from the line (13-of-18) for the game, edging Nixon’s 68 percent showing (13-of-19).
Ballard finished the game with 23 points and was the only Queen to score in double digits. Alderete had six points, Joselyn Gonzalez had five points, Rodriguez had four points, Nelly Robles had three points, and Alexia Muñiz had two points.
Del Rio’s loss drops the Queens to 1-2 in district. Nixon improves to 2-2.
In other district action Tuesday, Laredo United (3-1) defeated Laredo LBJ (1-2), 66-30; and Laredo Alexander (2-1) defeated Eagle Pass (0-3), 90-12. Laredo United South (3-0) did not play.
Del Rio is scheduled to host the Laredo Alexander Lady Bulldogs Friday night at the Carl P. Guys Memorial Gymnasium at 6:30 p.m.
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Contact the author at drnhsports@gmail.com
