Mission pulls out OT win over Palmview

MISSION — Mission High and La Joya Palmview went back-and-forth for 36 minutes in a roller coaster of a game Friday night and needed an extra four minutes to determine a winner.

After seeing Palmview send the game into overtime with a last second layup to end the fourth quarter, Mission got the last laugh by sinking three free throws with 0.7 seconds left in OT to pull off a 54-53 win Friday night at Mission High School.

Mission High’s Leon Villarreal (3) keeps his eye on the rebound in a 30-5A game against La Loya Palmview at Mission High School on Friday, Dec. 20, 2024, in Mission. (Joel Martinez | [email protected])

Mission improves to 11-12 overall and 3-2 in District 30-5A play, while Palmview drops to 15-11 and 3-1 in district.

“That’s an excellent team with some good kids and a good coach over there,” Mission head coach Sam Cortez said after the win. “The kids stuck to the game plan. We started off hot, then it looked like it got away from us there. … We missed so many free throws then we hit three in-a-row to win the game. You forget about those first ones, man, all that counts are those last ones.”

Palmview held a two-point lead on Mission for almost the entire four minutes of overtime thanks to a mid-range jumper and a pair of free throws from senior Joe Gonzalez for a 53-51 Lobos advantage with 59.6 seconds remaining.

La Loya Palmview’s Jose Gonzalez (1) drives to the basket against Mission High in a 30-5A game at Mission High School on Friday, Dec. 20, 2024, in Mission. (Joel Martinez | [email protected])

Mission had two opportunities late to tie or take the lead in OT but came up short on one shot and turned the ball over on another. The third time was a charm for the Eagles, however. Junior guard Leon Villarreal pulled up from half-court for a last-second 3-pointer but was fouled on the attempt resulting in three free throws with 0.7 left on the clock.

Villarreal stepped to the charity stripe and knocked down all three shots to clinch a 54-53 win.

“It felt good. We didn’t get bored with what we do. We just relied on what we do in practice and put our trust in Coach Cortez and Coach (Marty) Guevara,” Villarreal said. “When I missed free throws towards the end of the game, I’m like ‘Ok, I have a feeling I’m going to have to hit free throws to win this game,’ and sure enough it happened, so I couldn’t let it happen twice.”

Mission High’s Leon Villarreal (3) receives congratulations during a 30-5A game against La Loya Palmview at Mission High School on Friday, Dec. 20, 2024, in Mission. (Joel Martinez | [email protected])

Villarreal finished with a game-high 23 points and seven rebounds to lead the Eagles. Jared Castro added 13 and Pablo Treviño had 10 for Mission.

Palmview’s Gonzalez led the Lobos with 20 points and registered all four of the Lobos’ points in OT. Antonio Suarez and Juan Dominguez finished with 11 and 10 points apiece, respectively.

The Lobos will look to bounce back against Roma on Dec. 31 at Palmview High School. The Eagles will return to play at Rio Grande City on Dec. 31. 

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