Rivera uses 3-point barrage to take down Lopez

BROWNSVILLE — Brownsville Rivera head coach Jesse Alvarez said his team has the green light from beyond the arc and his Raiders took full advantage of that privilege Tuesday night against city rivals Brownsville Lopez.

The Raiders nailed 14 shots from downtown as they cruised to a 72-34 victory over the Lobos on the opening night of District 32-5A .

“Early wins are always good, especially against a cross-town rival, they do a good job and have a brand-new coach out there that’s going to get after it,” Alvarez said. “We are just hungry for wins, it is district time.”

The fourth quarter was obligatory after a 31-point third by the Raiders. Rivera held a 63-31 lead going into the final quarter.

Raiders freshman Reginald Clark was on fire Tuesday night. Clark hit eight 3-pointers and said he had to check his heat in third quarter.

Clark did not specify which of his third-quarter 3’s was the check, it could have been the logo shot or maybe the nasty step-back with a hand in his face – his most of impressive 3-pointer on the night, might have been in the first quarter when he opted out of a mid-range for a contested turnaround to give his team their first lead of the game.

Brownsville Rivera freshman Reggie Clark.

The freshman guard hit four from beyond the arc and added a layup with an and-1 finish in that third quarter, going on to score a game-high 27 points.

“It is all coach, he puts his trust in me,” Clark said. “We are good as a team, we have to work hard and have another game Friday. We need to come out and do the same thing we did today.”

Brownsville Rivera’s Job Martinez hit three from deep and finished with 13 points. Juan Juarez was the next leading with scorer with 6 points.

“They can shoot, the whole team has the green light,” Alvarez said. “[Clark] is not bashful, he has played all over the country and is a heck of a player.”

Eleven Raiders scored a basket. Senior Isaiah Cuellar chipped in with five points, but kept the team running Alvarez said.

“He gets after it – he’s our guy,” Alvarez said.

Brownsville Rivera senior Isaiah Cuellar. Photo by Andrew Cordero – Special to RGVSports.com.

Cuellar has been a member of the varsity team all three years, and has yet to make the playoffs.

“It motivates me a lot wanting to be a playoff contender, trying to go on a run, especially with these freshman we have on the team. We have a really good team, a solid team and I know we can do it,” he said.

Cuellar said the Raiders have aspirations for a district title.

Brownsville Lopez was only down 32-18 going into the break. The senior-heavy Lobos traded baskets early with the Raiders, but when you are hot you are hot – and on Tuesday night Brownsville Rivera was on fire.

Lobos senior guard Gilbert Rodriguez finished with a team-high 9 points and fellow senior Darian Cisneros chipped in with 7 points.

Brownsville Lopez will look for its first district win against fellow Brownsville school, Pace, at 6 p.m. Friday at Lopez. Brownsville Rivera is on the road in the Mid-Valley against Donna High at 6 p.m. Friday at Donna High.

The post Rivera uses 3-point barrage to take down Lopez appeared first on MyRGV.com.