Harmony Science Academy boys basketball team continues winning ways
It's been a gradual improvement for the Harmony Science Academy boys basketball team for the past four years under the guidance of coach Ray Rodriguez.
Now the hard work is paying off for the eight seniors on the team. The Tigers have won 26 games this season, is the District 1-4A champion and is ranked No. 24 in the state by the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches.
"These eight kids have endless determination," said Rodriguez after Tuesday's 55-44 road win at an improved Austin team that made the Tigers 8-0 in district play. "The kids have put in time, stayed with it and kept believing. This group has been together for many years and it's been a process, but the success is well earned."
Like most of the season, the team had several people step up and make contributions. Aaron Hernandez scored 20 points, Diego Balderrama scored eight second half points and Edgar Dominguez added 11 points.
"Last year we made the playoffs as a No. 3 team out of our district and we learned a lot about ourselves and got that experience of the playoffs," Balderrama said. "This year we've improved as a team, but we have to keep going forward and working."
The Tigers played a strong non-district schedule to get ready for District 1-4A and postseason play. They played Class 5A schools Bel Air, Burges and Del Valle and Class 6A Socorro to gain the much needed experience.
"We've been working hard," Hernandez said. "The goal was to win district and now the goal is to have a successful playoff run. We have to continue to believe and have everyone step up, which has been the case all season."
Harmony Science Academy has a history in the UIL playoffs. In 2013, the Tigers reached the Final Four in Class 1A before being defeated by Triple A Academy.
"Our goal is to get that far again," Balderrama said. "We've come a long way the past couple of years and we have faith in ourselves."
Austin girls find success
The move from Class 5A to Class 4A has paid dividends for the Austin girls program. On Tuesday, the Panthers wrapped the regular season with a 46-32 win against Harmony Science Academy, giving the team 16 overall wins and a 9-3 record in District 1-4A.
It's the first winning season for coach Ismael Salcido in his seventh year leading the program. Next week, the program will host a playoff game for the first time in more than two decades according to school officials.
"This team has worked hard and it's nice to see these kids find success," Salcido said. "The team has gotten better as the season has gone on and we have a bright future."
Austin has one senior on the roster and on Tuesday several players stepped up. Wendy Villarreal scored 13 points, Dalia Santiesteban scored nine and Ashley Ruiz added eight.
"Working hard has been key," Villarreal said. "We've been looking forward to the playoffs, we deserve it."
Added Santiesteban: "It's been fun. We've struggled since we are a young team. But we got better, stayed committed, there is no bad chemistry between us and that's been important."
Tuesday's stars
Irvin's Hannah Jones scored 16 points as the Rockets finished District 1-4A play with a 12-0 record with a win against YWA.
Chapin's Jasmin Holt reached the 1,000-point mark in her career on Tuesday in a home win against Andress.
Anthony's Marcus Lerma scored 41 points in 73-69 loss to Wink.
Montwood's Gabe Gutierrez had 25 points and seven rebounds in a 58-53 win against Coronado.
Hanks' Erik Folkedahl scored 27 points for the Knights in a win against Ysleta.
More: Local HS sports results El Psao high school sports results: Basketball, soccer, wrestling, swimming
Felix F. Chavez can be reachd at fchavez@elpasotimes.com; @Fchavezeptimes on Twitter
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Austin girls basketball program finds winning ways in Class 4A
