Rowe earn championship at 37th annual Border Bash

McALLEN — District 31-5A play does not begin until December 3rd, but that did not stop some of the best teams in the district to meet Saturday in the key games at the 37th annual Border Bash in McAllen.

District title hopefuls McAllen Rowe pulled away from likely title challengers Sharyland Pioneer 44-33, winning the tournament. This is the Warriors second tourney win after winning the Weslaco tournament two weekends ago.

The Warriors pressed hard, shot and finished well to come out victorious this weekend in their city’s home tourney.

First-year head coach Gustavo Cobos said his team’s performance during the tournament was consistent.

“Consistency was the key,” Cobos said. “They played tenacious defense. That is what we empathize, is defense all the time. We are probably one of the smallest teams in the Valley, and they all play with heart. I am blessed to be at this position.”

They might be one of the smaller teams, but they could be the best in the Valley after starting out 18-1 and picking up wins against strong Valley competition.

“I think we still got a lot of work to do,” Cobos said about his team being the best in the Valley.

The Warriors outscored the Diamondbacks 21-12 in the second half after only being up by 2 points at the break. Tournament MVP Alyssa Cantu led the Warriors in scoring with 14 points.

Cantu hit a sweet jumper in the fourth, a dagger, and was key on defense. Cantu is one of the best players in the Valley.

McAllen Rowe’s Alyssa Cantu, left, applies pressure on a Sharyland Pioneer player during the championship game of the 37th Annual McHi Border Bash Tournament. (Andrew Cordero | Special to RGVSports)

“I could do a lot better, but I think I am doing my part as a point guard and a team captain,” Cantu said. “I think I am doing what I have to do.”

McAllen Rowe’s Silah Flores and Emma De La Cruz were awarded with all-tournament. Flores was great at the rim and finished with 10 points while De La Cruz chipped in with 4 against Sharyland Pioneer.

Cobos praised Sharyland Pioneer’s well-coached team. The Diamondbacks kept pace with the Warriors in the first half. Pioneer was able to break the press and find Anika Fleischmann for some easy buckets and sophomore Ebonie Chatman started the game on fire.

Chatman finished with a game-high 15 points, 11 in the first quarter while Fleischmann had 10. Senior point guard Kassandra Garcia and Chatman took home all-tourney honors.

“It was a tough game,” Cobos said. “Our district is going to be a tough one, a lot of the teams that were in the finals are in our district. That just says a lot about 5A basketball on this side of the Valley.”

McAllen Memorial defeated Weslaco High in the third-place game. Mustangs guard Ari Garcia received all-tournament recognition while PSJA North defeated Edcouch-Elsa in the consolation championship with guard Alexandra Gonzalez dropping 17 in that game.

McAllen Rowe opens district with PSJA North at home on December 3rd.

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