Second Chance

WESLACO — You can call it a second chance per se.

A little more than a year ago, Weslaco East was in a comfort zone at the halfway point of the district season only to see the golden ball disappear and eventually the playoffs slip through the palms of their hands overall.
A combination of off the court issues and poor grades was too much for Art Castillo’s crew to overcome. By the last few games, the Wildcats only dressed eight players, yet were in contention for at least the final playoff spot till the end.

“It was hard for me, the team also,” said center Juan Jasso of last year’s disappointing end. “We really wanted to make a playoff run and get the experience.”

Fortunately for East, the nucleus of players returned with a fresh look with the same goal. And after Round 1 of league play and one in the second, the Wildcats definitely are that serious about not letting history repeat itself. East is currently riding a 12-game winning streak heading into Friday’s action, including an 8-0 District 32-4A record. That’s one-game ahead of defending district champ Roma (7-1) and two ahead of Mission Veterans (6-2).

Head coach Art Castillo believes this year’s team is stronger with much better team chemistry. It starts with Jasso inside to establish the inside-outside game. Standing at 6-foot-3 and a strong 215-pounds, the junior brings a physical presence and enjoys the contact the position presents while in the paint. Assistant coach Mark Knuckles considers Jasso one of the best post players in the Valley. Guards Kenny Valenzuela and Eric Gutierrez are two of a number of guards Castillo said have the capability to nail big shots when Jasso gets suffocated in the paint. Valenzuela leads the team in scoring with 14.8 points per game while Jasso averages eight boards.

Last week against the Patriots, it was Gutierrez who lifted the Wildcats with eight fourth quarter points, including a trey that enabled the Wildcats to remain perfect after the first round.

“That’s what makes us tough, on any given night anybody can score,” Castillo said. “Everyone is given the green light. We expect the players to be ready to score.”

Red hot East wasn’t burning at the beginning of the season as the club was a .500 squad. But Castillo said the Holiday Hoops Weslaco East Christmas Classic the school hosted of the holidays as the turning point of the season. The Wildcats reeled off four wins to capture first place and since then haven’t slipped. 

“It built confidence,” Jasso said. “It told us we can light it up if we play consistent.”

The run includes big time home wins over the Gladiators, Tigers and Patriots - likely the three other schools to represent the district in the playoffs.

“We love the big games,” Valenzuela said. “We always say win this one and that would bring bigger crowds.”

But now it’s time for East to become road warriors in Round 2 of the district schedule if they indeed want to hoist that golden ball they’re so close to. Anything else and it would be considered a bust, at least in their eyes.

“We would be devastated,” Jasso said. “I really want to get that district championship.”