By Brian Argabright
Even without three starters, the Del Rio Queens basketball team was able to open district play with a win.
Del Rio’s reserves came up big Tuesday night as the Queens kicked off play in District 30-6A with a 33-29 victory over the Laredo LBJ Lady Wolves. Del Rio improves to 4-8 overall with the win.
The Queens did most of their damage in the first half, scoring 23 points thanks in large part to their perimeter shooting. Renee Salas, Sydney Ballard and Eliana Rodriguez all hit from beyond the 3-point line in the first half as the Queens took a 23-18 lead at the break.
Rodriguez had the biggest shot of the half, draining a 3-pointer as time expired to bring her teammates and the Queens supporters to their feet.
However, the Queens struggled at the free throw line, hitting only 4-of-12 shots from the charity stripe. Del Rio also struggled to avoid fouling LBJ. They put the Lady Wolves in the bonus in the first half, and then put them in the double bonus in the second half.
At one point in the second half, the Queens had 10 fouls while LBJ had only one.
LBJ also benefited from the 3-pointer in the first half. Leilani Medina hit two from long range in the first quarter to help keep the game tied, 15-15, headed into the second quarter.
The Queens offense struggled in the second half, managing only 10 points including just three in the final eight minutes of play. But Del Rio’s defense did its part, holding LBJ scoreless for most of the fourth quarter until the Lady Wolves found their rhythm late to cut the lead to just four points.
Ballard led all scorers with 13 points including three 3-pointers. Paige Everett had five points, Rodriguez, Joselyn Gonzalez and Renee Salas each had three points, and Celeste Cantu, Leyra Alzugaray and Victoria Menchaca had two points.
Medina led LBJ with 10 points.
Del Rio travels to Laredo to face United Friday at 6 p.m. The Queens’ next home game will be Tuesday, Dec. 22, at 2 p.m. against the Laredo Nixon Lady Mustangs.
