(Edinburg, Texas)-More than 3,000 fans packed the Bert Ogden Arena to watch the Edinburg Vela Sabercats defeat Brownsville Veterans Memorial Lady Chargers in the Class 5A Region IV Quarterfinals 47-31 to advance to the University Interscholastic League Region IV-5A Semifinals for the first time in school history. With the win, the Lady Sabercats will play 25-5A third place, Liberty Hill, winners over Kerrville Tivy 51-35. “Wow, can you believe this! We are headed to the Sweet 16. My players and coaches deserve this one,” said Sabercats head coach, Lottie Zarate.
That “Wow” factor came from senior point guard, Emma Lucio, who scored 21-points to lead the Lady Sabercats. “This is just amazing,” said Lucio. “This is just amazing.” Amazing it was too. The Lady Chargers seemed to have the game in check, trailing 24-16 at the half but it was the brilliant play by Lady Sabercats sophomore, GG Betancourt and her assists during the game. She found seniors Fey Vasquez and Karsyn Hackerott opened for scores and she would team up with Lucio in the end to give all three seniors a trip to the UIL Region IV 5A tournament this weekend in San Antonio, Texas. The Lady Sabercats (31-4) will play Liberty Hill (30-9) on Friday at 5:30 p.m. at the North East ISD Littleton Center. The winner will meet San Antonio Wagner (27-4) or Corpus Christi Veterans (29-9) on Saturday at 2:00 p.m. (HSSMImages/Ruiz)
Sweet 16 Baby! The Edinburg Vela Lady Sabercats will play Liberty Hill on Friday at 5:30 p.m. in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo l-r) Junior Janai Coleman is tackled by Brownsville Veterans Daniela Sauceda. Middle photo is Fey Vasquez going for two points while Zarate gives instruction to her team. (HSSMImages/Emmanuel Ruiz)