By Brian Argabright
The 830 Times
It was a dominant showing by the Queens basketball team when it hosted Sonora Tuesday.
Every Queens player who checked into the game scored as Del Rio picked up a 53-24 win in just the team’s third home game this season.
Del Rio took control early thanks in part to the play of Joselyn Gonzalez. Gonzalez helped spark the offense with her defense, making several steals that lead to easy baskets for the Queens. Sydney Ballard’s steal wound up as an assist as Allie Rodriguez buried her shot to help Del Rio to 14 points in the first quarter.
Meanwhile, Sonora was having trouble put points on the scoreboard. Their first points didn’t come until there was 1:44 left in the quarter when Sonora scored on a pair of free throws.
Del Rio kept the pressure on in the second quarter. Gonzalez’s back-to-back steals led to a pair of baskets for the Queens and helped Del Rio maintain its double-digit lead.
Sonora was able to add to its point total, but missed out at free throw line, going 2-for-9 from the charity stripe.
Del Rio’s defense made one final play as they half ended when Nelly Robles blocked a Sonora shot at the buzzer and helped the Queens take a 31-9 lead into halftime.
In the third quarter, the Queens remained steady on both offense and defense, but struggled at the free throw line. Del Rio was 0-for-5 in its free throw attempts in the third quarter, but still took a 44-19 lead into the fourth quarter.
Del Rio fared better at the line in the fourth quarter, going 4-for-7, helping to seal the win.
Ballard and Gonzalez finished with 12 points each to lead the Queens in scoring. Sierra Horton and Marina Jimenez each had six points, Makayla Lewis had five points, Rodriguez had four points, and Araceli Hernandez, Alexia Muñiz, Robles and Sharleen Perez each had two points.
Del Rio will be on the road for its next three games. The Queens’ next home game will be a district match-up against Laredo United on Tuesday, Dec. 21 at 2 p.m.
—
Contact the author at drnhsports@gmail.com
