Where do I begin
February 16th, 2008, 3:46 am · 5 Comments · posted by Peter Rasmussen
It was a crazy day. Too many sports going on at once. I cover baseball so I am getting ready for that, typing in schedules is crazy time consuming. I am writing my preview. Read it Sunday to find out who will be No. 1.
I needed to get a photo assingment in for today’s City of Palms meet hosted by McAllen Memorial.
Just before the McHi-Economedes game I was interviewing McAllen Rowe and McHi wrestlers for state. And to top it all off the main event of the day was the game.
I liked the atmosphere, it was fun. Hanna coach Willie Brown was there. It was nice to finally meet him. My freind Juan Medrano pointed out that I am gaining weight. Time to hit the gym. Too many Taco places in the Valley, Juan. When you did meet me I was a lot thinner, I’ll give you that. Hahahahaha funny stuff.
The game was better than I thought it was going to be. Laura Rodriguez is the heart and soul of the Lady Jags and coach Casso asked me if she was right that she was concerned about Rodriguez (#13). She was. Rodriguez had the Lady Jags going but McHi did a good job on her in the seocnd half, forcing her into tunrovers and limiting her offensive production. Rodriguez is a tough player.
After she tweaked her ankle and stuttered step offf the court with the Economedes trainer throwing her fist in the air as she walked Rodriguez off the court was a highlight.
It was a physical game on both sides. There were some hard fouls.
Lyndsie Currie struggled with her shooting but did the right thing by driving to the basket for the high percentage shot and drawing fouls to gain her confidence back.
Andi Garza just dominated at times. I thought she was the glue that held the team together while they struggled.
McHi just lacked the intensity and heart early on. Just not the McHi people are used to seeing, making mistakes and looking disoriented. But in the end they have too many weapons to be held down for too long, especially Garza, who if McHi gets the ball to down low will almost always have success.
I think this test only makes them stronger for regionals. Its not going to be a cake walk if they get there and it says alot about the team to win by 22 on an off night. When they got going, they did look good.
I was hearing from Jason McDaniel that he thought Alexander was agood team. I wonder if they could beat South? Anyone willing to make a prediction?
I dont know too much about them. I do know there was some trash talking, the Alexander coach said before the game in the Laredo Morning Times his team would be celebrating all the way back to Laredo after his team beat Edinburg. By reading the story, the coach seems really confident.
My top 4 teams in the Valley are the last four standing.
Good luck to the remaining teams.
February 16th, 2008 at 10:21 am
Pete,
I finally got to see the Lady Bulldogs play and even in an off night I came away very impress. Mchi just has too many weapons for Economedes to stop. However, Economedes came out fired up and ready to play surprising Mchi and outrebounding them. After halftime, Mchi adjusted well to what Economedes was doing and started feeding the ball inside and taking shots from the paint. I believe the Rodriguez to Garza guard post combination is sick. I think thats what broke the game open with Rodriguez being able to feed the ball time and time again to Garza. I came away very impressed and I could only help but wonder what the score would have been like if Mchi would have made more treys and more free throws. Last but not least, I thought the reffs were making some very questionable calls favoring Economedes but it could be that i was sitting in the Mchi side.
My Predictions
Mchi over Laredo Cigarroa (by 35)
If mchi gets on their game early and play some good team ball then they will have success and win big.
West Oso over Hidalgo (by 30)
West Oso is undefeated so Hidalgo is going to have a very hard time
Alexander over South (upset by 4)
Alexander can match up well against South and has quick girls who defend Torre .
Gonzales over La Feria (by 15)
Gonzales is also very good and has the height La Feria lacks.
February 16th, 2008 at 12:52 pm
Good news Peter, now you won’t be hounded to write stories about Mission Vets.
February 18th, 2008 at 12:40 am
what happend to “LOES THE WEIGHT IN O EIGHT”??? =O
February 18th, 2008 at 8:45 am
Gimme a break Angie- another person who instead of coffee woke up to a tall glass of hater-ade. Whats with the negativety towards the Lady Pats- they went 12-0 and lost to a San Antonio school who made the regional finals last year- its not like we had the luxery to play a valley team to advance we went straight to the top level. Support your valley schools and if you have nothing nice to say - don’t say it. On another note Peter, thanks for sending stringer Eric Quintero- He was professional and what a great writer- Impressive for a young future writer for the Monitor.
February 18th, 2008 at 11:02 pm
Ha Ha, you think you had a long day. Well thats what you went to USC for. Stop eating tacos and write more. Anway, good job I read them all.
GO SAN DIEGO GHARGERS!!!!!!!
P.S. Who cares about texas!!!