High school girls basketball: Corpus Christi bi-district playoffs recap

Here are some key storylines and games to watch as teams prepare for the area round of the UIL high school basketball playoffs.

Get your popcorn

Some intriguing area round matchups to watch on Friday will be the Calallen-Beeville game and the Bishop vs. West Oso matchup.

The Wildcats and state-ranked Trojans could be a treat for basketball fans as two Class 4A powerhouses get the chance to play a second round game at Calallen High School. Bishop, which is in its first season in Class 4A, has shown it has what it takes to complete at the next level after winning the District 31-4A title.

West Oso also proved it was a top 4A team after finishing a game behind state-ranked Beeville in District 30-4A. Both teams are still figuring where they will play, but the winner could go on to make some noise in the regional quarterfinals.

Opening things with a bang

San Diego's Marly Sanchez had a night to remember after scoring a game-best 30 points to knock off Mathis in come-from-behind fashion on Tuesday. The Vaqueros advanced to the area round for the first time since 2018.

District 29-3A champion Aransas Pass opened the playoffs in a big way after rolling to a 50-point win against Santa Gertrudis Academy. The Panthers have a chance to make some noise in Class 3A, alongside London, which cruised to a 30-point victory against George West.

Cedar Park goes down... What now?

Cedar Park has been a thorn for Corpus Christi-area teams in the regional tournament, but that won't be the case, at least for this season. San Antonio Wagner knocked off the back-to-back Class 5A champions on Tuesday and although the final four is still more than a week away, things could get interesting if Veterans Memorial or Flour Bluff break through to the regional tournament. Only time will tell.

A recap of the bi-district round for high school girls basketball for teams from Corpus Christi and the Coastal Bend.

Class 5A

Veterans Memorial 47, La Joya Palmview 33: Tatiana Mosley led a balanced scoring effort from Veterans Memorial with 11 points and 10 rebounds as the Eagles opened up the Class 5A playoffs with a win. Deshyria Brown scored nine and Adelynn Lopez added seven for the Eagles. Mia De La Pena had six points, eight assists and eight steals. Jocelyn R. Martinez paced La Joya with 11 points. The Eagles advance to face McAllen Memorial on Thursday at Ray in the area round.

Flour Bluff 50, Laredo Nixon 32: The Hornets beat Nixon to advance to face Edinburg Vela or Weslaco East in the area round. Maggie Croft led the Hornets charge with 22 points and Maddie Robinson added 10.

Laredo Cigarroa 66, Gregory-Portland 54: Cigarroa spoiled Gregory-Portland's return to the playoffs in a Class 5A bi-district game on Tuesday in Alice. Cigarroa advances to take on either McAllen Rowe or Brownsville Lopez in the area round. Gregory-Portland finishes its season at 29-6.

Class 4A

Bishop 65, La Grulla 29: The Badgers opened the Class 4A playoffs in dominant fashion, coasting to a 36-point win. Logan Borchardt nearly matched La Grulla on her won with 27 points to lead Bishop. Ava Salinas added 14 points for Bishop, which jumped to an 18-2 lead after one quarter and never relented. The Badgers advanced to face West Oso or Floresville in the area round.

Beeville 59, Pleasanton 35: Carrah Davis dropped 22 points and Cylee Lopez added 19 as the duo propelled the District 30-4A champion Trojans to a playoff win. Beeville improved to 27-4 overall and advanced to face the winner between Calallen and Hidalgo in the area round.

Ingleside 49, Devine 43: Shae Ruiz scored 21 points and Krystal Jewell added 13 as the Mustangs took the victory. The Mustangs will advance to play La Feria, a winner against Tuloso-Midway, in the area round.

Calallen 35, Hidalgo 22: Karlie Haigood scored 14 points in a defensive affair as the Wildcats will move onto the area round. Haigood also added three 3-pointers on the night as the Wildcats improved to 27-9 and will take on District 30-4A champion Beeville in the area round.

West Oso 54, Floresville 40: Maleigha Sweats scored 12 points and Cyenna Epps and Alaejah Reed each added 11 for the Bears in a bi-district victory on Tuesday. West Oso (22-9) advances to take on District 31-4A champion Bishop.

Kingsville 57, Port Isabel 45: The Brahmas Bella Mejorado scored 15 points and Jacelyn Villarreal added 13 as they took a bi-district playoff victory on Tuesday. Kingsville (26-8) advances to take on Somerset at a time, date and place to be determined. Leriaya Garza added 11 points and Mikaela Boyd scored 10 in the victory.

Class 3A

Aransas Pass 77, Santa Gertrudis Academy 27: Aransas Pass opened a 24-3 lead after the first quarter and rolled to a 50-point win to open the playoffs. The Panthers were paced by Maiya Gonzales, who scored 23 points, as the team connected for nine 3-pointers. Aransas Pass advanced to face Lyford or IDEA Pharr in the area round.

Goliad 43, Banquete 34: Goliad outlasted Banquete in a bi-district game on Tuesday. The Tigers advance to take on Alamo IDEA College or IDEA Weslaco Pike.

San Diego 48, Mathis 45: The Vaqueros claimed a come-from-behind victory to down Mathis and advance to the Class 3A area round. Marly Sanchez erupted for a game-best 30 points to lead San Diego. Jackie Garcia led Mathis with 19 points in the loss. San Diego will play Rio Hondo at 6:30 p.m. Friday at Riviera High School.

Class 2A

Premont 45, Port Aransas 34: Miryna Villarreal hit four 3-pointers as part of a 23-point night as District 32-2A champion Premont knocked off Port Aransas to open the playoffs. Andrea Cantu added 17 as the Cowgirls advanced to face Harper or Stockdale in the area round of the playoffs.

Skidmore-Tynan 66, Riviera 33: The Bobcats clamped down defensively in the second half, holding the Seahawks to 13 points in the final two quarters to earn a dominating bi-district win. Skidmore-Tynan was led by Neddia Gonzales, who had 24 points and Maggy Moreman's 11. Caitlyn Medloch scored 15 points for Riviera and Angelina Baurrea scored 10. Skidmore-Tynan improved to 35-2 and will face Region IV-2A power Mason in the area round.

TAPPS 4A

IWA 50, Cypress Christian 38: Emma Romanczyk scored 17 points and Lily Brown added 10 as the Angels moved on in the TAPPS 4A playoffs. IWA improved to 24-15 on the season.

This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: High school girls basketball: Corpus Christi bi-district playoff recap