By Brian Argabright
The 830 Times
Del Rio’s run in the state girls basketball playoffs, but the future looks bright for the Queens.
The San Antonio Brennan Bears, the No. 6 ranked team in Class 6A in the state, ended Del Rio’s season with a 68-28 win over the Queens Feb. 14 at Devine. The Bears were scheduled to play District 30-6A co-champions Laredo United Tuesday night in Floresville in the regional quarterfinals.
Del Rio head coach Marisa Soto looked at the loss as a learning tool for her team, but pointed out that it was just the latest example of the team’s grit and determination in the face of a stronger opponent.
“Our girls played amazingly hard. We played a tough top-10 team in the 6A division and played tough and fearless. Though the outcome did not fall in our favor, we are so proud of the way our girls fought, bought in and trusted the process this year. I was thankful they were able to see all their hard work pay off and be part of ending our seven-year playoff drought,” Soto said.
Del Rio headed into this year’s season with hope and promise. Soto was in her second year as the Queens’ head coach and had a group of strong seniors and wily underclassmen that could make some noise once district began.
Illnesses and injury led to the Queens dropping their first four district games and a spot at the bottom of the district standings. However, the Queens went on a tear after that, winning four of their final six games to qualify for the postseason.
“We had a great group of senior leaders, Karolina Alderete, Joselyn Gonzalez, Marina Jimenez, Makayla Lewis, Alexia Muniz, Nelly Robles, and Allie Rodriguez, who led by example and really set the new standard for Queens basketball,” Soto said. “Our underclassman, Annette Betancourt, Samantha De Luna, Ayla Elizondo, Yolisbeth Flores, Alizandra Garcia, Aylin Hernandez, Kaitlyn Lewis, Dariela Mijangos, Perla Rosas and Giana Urias, really stepped up and we expect big things from them as we start up our spring ball.”
With the specter of a playoff drought in their rearview mirror, the Queens will now focus on the future and Soto explained that the loss to Brennan will only help to provide a blueprint as to how Del Rio will use the experience gained towards building a strong future for the program.
“As far as what I took away from this playoff game, I would have to say experience. It’s been a while since we’ve been here, but now we as a staff and as a program … we know what to expect and what we have to do to continue to get better,” Soto said. “I am so thankful for the constant support from everyone within the community. From admin to Del Rio High School organizations to the city of Del Rio, so many people showed up and showed out for us and I was thankful our kiddos were able to enjoy that experience.”
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Contact the author at drnhsports@gmail.com
