Cardinals take down Hawks in OT for hoops Bird Bowl win

HARLINGEN — It was not always the prettiest game, but it was without a doubt an extremely entertaining Bird Bowl between city rivals Harlingen High and Harlingen South Tuesday afternoon.

The Cardinals took down the Hawks 48-45 in overtime at Harlingen South to continue a win-streak over their neighbors that has lasted since 2016.

Harlingen High posed for a picture after the win, with the #1 jersey in hand. The Cardinals dedicated the win to a former player, Andrea Cortez, who head coach Ashley Moncivaiz said passed away last week.

Cortez graduated in 2019.

“A lot of the intensity that we had towards the end was based off of her and how she played for the Cardinals,” Moncivaiz said. “That is the reason we took the picture with number one … she was one of those players that had to guard the best player and she always did what she needed to do.”

The Cardinals played their best ball in the fourth quarter and overtime, Moncivaiz said. Five quick points in the first minute of overtime helped put the game away.

Harlingen High’s Aubrey Williams drained a 3-pointer and Lola Tamez also chipped in with a basket during the quick offensive outburst to start overtime. The Hawks responded with a 3-pointer by Danica Elizarde, but Tamez and Sarah Sanusi responded to put the Cardinals up six and for good.

Harlingen High’s Sarah Sanusi goes up for a layup during a non-district game against Harlingen South on Tuesday at Harlingen South. (Andrew Cordero | Special to RGVSports)

“In the first half we were playing at a slower pace, not the intensity that we wanted, but like I said we were able to pick it up in the second half,” Moncivaiz said.

It was a physical back-and-forth four quarters, the Hawks never backed down from the Cardinals physical press and vise-versa. Bodies were flying for every loose ball, there was hard fouls and moments of brilliance by both teams.

Harlingen South junior Jiselle Montemayor celebrated 1,000 career points before the game, she went coast-to-coast to tie the game at 39 late in the fourth. The Hawks had the final possession in regulation, but had to go the length of the court against the Cardinals press for a look.

Harlingen South’s Allison Miller finished with a team-high 14 points, Fernanda Martinez dropped 12, as did Montemayor. A number of other Hawks stepped up when needed as well.

The largest lead for either team was six, when the Hawks lead 17-11 early in the second quarter. The Cardinals had their biggest lead when they went up 30-26.

Sanusi finished with a game-high 21 points. The sophomore came in the day averaging 18 ppg for the Cardinals. Sanusi is not the tallest on the court, but was a force down low because of her athleticism.

Harlingen High’s Sarah Sanusi, right, battles for a loose ball during a non-district game against Harlingen South on Tuesday at Harlingen South. (Andrew Cordero | Special to RGVSports)

“I think it all the hard work we have been putting in since the summer time, all the conditioning, running, jumping and training has helped all of us, and me especially dominate down low,” Sanusi said.

Tamez scored 11 of her 13 points in the second half. The Cardinals also had multiple players grab buckets and force a lot of turnovers to give their team important late possessions.

District 32-5A play is right around the corner for Harlingen South, a heavy favorite to win their district. Harlingen High has to wait until January for District 32-6A, but like its neighbors will be one of the favorites to win a gold ball.

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