Pioneer looking to go back-to-back
Tuesday night at Pioneer High School marked the long anticipated start of district play for the (11-8, 0-0) Pioneer Lady Diamondbacks and the (13-5, 0-0) Vela Lady Sabercats. This matchup brought high stakes, as these two teams shared the district championship last season; each finishing with an impressive 16-2 record. With both teams looking to assert dominance early in the season and with aspirations of repeating their success, the clash did not disappoint.
From the opening tip-off, the game demonstrated why these two programs are considered the cream of the crop in District 31-5A. The Sabercats unleashed their half-court trap, designed to disrupt the Diamondbacks offensive rhythm. However, the Diamondbacks were able to escape it by moving the ball swiftly and creating opportunities for open baskets. The first quarter ended with a narrow Sabercats lead, 15-14, after an amazing showing from both sides.
The Diamondbacks were powered by sophomore Ebonie Chatman, who exploded for ten points in the opening quarter. That surely carried into the second quarter where Chatman, along with senior Anika Fleischmann, led an offensive charge. The duo combined for 12 points in the second quarter alone, outscoring the Sabercats, who scored nine as a team. By halftime, the Diamondbacks had edged the Sabercats at 26-24, showcasing their ability to rise to the occasion.
The third quarter saw Pioneer extend its lead to 36-31 midway through the period. As championship teams often do however, the Sabercats responded. Sabercats’ Ava Tovar and GG Betancourt helped the team claw back into the game, sparking a 14-point quarter for the Sabercats. By the end of the third, the Sabercats regained the lead by a score of 38-36.
In the fourth quarter, the Sabercats experience and composure shone through. Tovar continued her attack, scoring eight points as the defense kept the Diamondbacks at bay. Pioneer struggled to gain momentum, allowing Vela to use the clock to their advantage. The Sabercats would soon put this game away, securing a hard fought 48-40 win over the Diamondbacks.
Sabercats’ GG Betancourt scored a team high 20 points. Tovar finished with 14 points while Savannah Rivera chipped in with seven points.
Diamondbacks’ Ebonie Chatman finished with a game-high 26 points, showcasing her offensive versatility on the court. Senior Anika Fleischmann finished with 12 points while Kassandra Garcia added two points of her own.
Despite the loss, Pioneer head coach Nicole Sandoval remained optimistic about her team. She told Progress Times after the game, “We’re definitely shooting for another district championship this season.” She continued, “Tonight doesn’t define us. We’re going to strap on our shoes tomorrow and start getting ready for the next game.”
Sandoval emphasized the competitiveness of District 31-5A, saying, “Our district is so tough. There is no night that we can just lay off and relax. We’re always competing. We’re going to be ready for the next game.”
Coach Sandoval capped it off by saying, “We might’ve lost the game, but we aren’t going to lose the lessons that come along with it.”
The Diamondbacks face a challenging path in District 31-5A, widely regarded as one of the most competitive districts in the area. The teams in this district include the reigning co-champions, the Pioneer Diamondbacks and Vela Sabercats, as well as the rest of the heavy hitters like the Sharyland Rattlers, McAllen Bulldogs, Memorial Mustangs, Rowe Warriors, and PSJA North Raiders. The underdogs, such as the PSJA Memorial Wolverines and PSJA Southwest Javelinas, are both capable of pulling off upsets on any given night.
Following Tuesday night’s action, the Sabercats, Mustangs, and Raiders sit atop the standings at 1-0, while the Diamondbacks, Rattlers, and Warriors are 0-1. The Javelinas and Wolverines have yet to report their scores.
For the Diamondbacks, the loss serves as a reminder of the fierce competition they will face every night. However, with a talented roster led by Chatman, Fleischmann, and Garcia, Pioneer remains a strong contender to reclaim the district championship.
Around the Big 7
In District 30-5A, Tuesday night featured some action of its own. The Palmview Lobos defeated the Nixon Mustangs 51-36 while the Veterans Memorial Patriots edged out the Rio Grande City Rattlers 35-34. The Mission Eagles fell to the Martin Tigers, 43-30. The Juarez-Lincoln Huskies have yet to report their result against the Cigarroa Toros.
As of now, the Martin Tigers lead the district with a perfect 3-0 record, followed by the Patriots, Lobos, and Mustangs, all at 2-1. The Eagles, Rattlers, Huskies, Toros, and Roma Gladiators are still looking to climb into playoff contention.
Tuesday night’s battle between the Diamondbacks and Sabercats set the tone for what promises to be a fantastic district season. For Pioneer, the loss is a minor setback in what will likely be a long and competitive journey. As the season progresses, fans can expect more high stakes matchups and exciting finishes in both District 30-5A and District 31-5A.