Photos: Laredo United South girls basketball remains perfect in District 30-6A with win over Laredo United
LAREDO, Texas - Laredo United South senior Penelope Cruz, a reserve player, came off the bench to spark an 11-0 run and help the Lady Panthers break away from Laredo United in the third quarter to pick up a 61-38 victory on Monday night.
The Lady Panthers, ranked No. 8 by the Texas Girls Coaches Association, remain at the top of the District 30-6A standings with a perfect 8-0 record as they head into the final stretch of the season.
Laredo United, who has won or shared three consecutive District 30-6A titles, battled every step of the way and opened with a 5-2 lead in the opening quarter. Sophomore Jesslynn Jalomo, who is ranked No. 9 among the best 3-point shooters in Texas, connected on her 87th 3-pointer of the season.
The Lady Panthers were able to build an 11-7 lead after Cruz hit a layup but on the ensuing play sophomore Cris Rodriguez completed a three-point play to make it a one-point ball game with 22.2 seconds left. Laredo United South senior Angie Lopez made the final basket, a 3-pointer as time expired to give the Lady Panthers a 14-10 advantage.
From that point on Laredo United South slowly started to pull away from Laredo United as the Lady Panthers opened the second quarter with a 7-2 run. Deneen Camarillo connected on a triple then junior Bridgette Tello hit a pair of layups.
Lopez and Laredo United’s Valeria Costilla took over on the offensive end. Lopez got to the free throw line while Costilla worked her way to the basket in the paint. Lopez went 4-for-5 from the free throw line and added a basket while Costilla had a bucket and two free throws in the second quarter.
With Laredo United South holding a 27-16 lead, Jalomo came down the court and nailed a three-pointer with 1:25 left in the second quarter. When all the dust settled Laredo United South held a 31-21 lead at halftime.
The first four minutes of the third quarter it was a back-and-forth affair, then Cruz stepped on the court. She hit back-to-back 3-pointers as Laredo United South built a 43-28 edge with 2:41 on the clock.
After Jalomo hit a layup, Cruz went to work again. She hit a perimeter shot and then finished by connecting on her third three-pointer in less than two minutes to help build a 20-point lead as Laredo United South led 50-20 heading into the final frame.
Tello, who is one of the most versatile players on the team, took over in the fourth quarter, as the lanky 5-foot-7 guard utilized the 3-point line. Jalomo made two free throws, only to have Tello hit her first triple as Laredo United took a 53-32 edge with 7:16 remaining in the game.
Laredo United scored six points the rest of the way as Tello and Cruz had Laredo United South’s final six points as they each hit a triple to give the Lady Panthers a 61-35 lead. The Lady Panthers defense allowed 21 points in the first and just 17 points in the second half.
Laredo United South has little time to enjoy their victory as they turn around and play on Tuesday and Wednesday against Eagle Pass and Nixon, before finishing off the week with Del Rio on Friday.
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