Weslaco East grinds out win over McHi

WESLACO — Nothing came easy for either team during a defensive showcase between McAllen High and Weslaco East on Tuesday as the Wildcats rallied late to grind out a 38-36 victory over the Bulldogs at Weslaco East High School in non-district action.

The win sends the Wildcats to 7-3 overall while the Bulldogs drop to 8-5 on the year.

“It was a defensive battle on both sides. We both scored under 40 points and that’s our goal that we try to emphasize to our kids and we both kept each other under 40,” Weslaco East head coach Zeke Rodriguez said. “They were playing really good defense, cramming everything in, but we were able to move the ball down the stretch and were able to hit some shots and create some turnovers, as well.”

Weslaco East’s Edgar Zamora blocks a shot during a non-district game against McAllen High on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024 at Weslaco East High School in Weslaco. Photo by Andrew Cordero | Special to RGVSports.com.

McHi opened the fourth quarter with six-straight points to take a 33-26 lead over East before a tough layup from AJ Gomez ended the Bulldogs’ run and gave the Wildcats some life.

East guard Zion Rodriguez scored seven of his game-high 20 points during the fourth quarter and exploded with a 5-0 run himself after hitting a pair of free throws, then knocking down a 3-pointer off a steal from fellow guard EJ Garza for a 38-36 lead with 50 seconds remaining.

“Going into the fourth, we needed to ‘D’ up and pressure them,” Rodriguez said. “They were doing a Triangle and 2 on us and we said when we score, we need to pressure them full court to create some turnovers to get them out of that Triangle and 2. I said ‘if you guys get the ball and you’re open, take the shot or swing it around, move it around quick so we’re able to get a quick basket and pick up full court again’ and that’s exactly what happened. EJ got the ball, he was able to swing it to Zion and he hit that 3.”

Weslaco East’s EJ Garza takes a jump shot during a non-district game against McAllen High on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024 at Weslaco East High School in Weslaco. Photo by Andrew Cordero | Special to RGVSports.com.

Garza finished with eight points for East while Edgar Zamora and Brandon Baraza both had three. Guard Jianni Ortiz didn’t register any points but was instrumental in the win with lockdown defense with four key steals and four boards.

McHi forward D’Aundre Canada had the hot hand early for the Bulldogs with a six-point second quarter, while guard Jalin Gilmore and forward Babatune Akindayomi came on late with four points each in the fourth quarter.

McAllen High’s D’Aundre Canada takes a jump shot during a non-district game against Weslaco East on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024 at Weslaco East High School in Weslaco. Photo by Andrew Cordero | Special to RGVSports.com.

It wasn’t enough, however, as McHi failed to get a shot off as time expired to secure the win for East. Canada led the Bulldogs with 11, while Dylan Benavidez and and Dylan Gonzalez both scored seven.

The Wildcats and Bulldogs both continue non-district play this weekend at the Hidalgo Pirates Classic Tournament in Hidalgo and City of Palms Tournament in McAllen, respectively.

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