Advosports

Last year brought unbelievable highs for the Victoria West girls team.

They won District 30-4A with convincing wins over Floresville, at the time ranked and thought of as one of the best in the state, and East once. They went three rounds into the playoffs.

This year has been a different story so far.

Not only did they lose on their home court to cross town rival Victoria East on Friday, the loss was West's fourth in district. It all but ensures that the Warriors won't repeat as district champions.

But the loss could prove to the game that gives the Warriors new life heading into the second half of district play.

Senior point guard Emily Skipper, who had played sporadically the previous three games because of injury, was back. And the difference was immediate.

The Warriors played better against East then they had the last three games, losses to G-P, Calhoun and Floresville.

"I don't know what happened to them, If we can play like this, we can be a sleeping giant . or a sleeping midget team," said West coach Sandra Jimenez.

Last year, the Warriors won the first nine district games of the season en route to the District 30-4A title.

This season's district slate has been a struggle and the Warriors have lost to five of their last six district games dating back to last year. The Warriors lost to East to close out the 2010-11 regular season.

Despite the team's struggles, Jimenez said it is not the time to panic.

"We're all aware of what we have to do in the second round," Jimenez said. "They know if they come out to play like they did last night, they will take care of the teams that we have to take care of in order to possibly make the playoffs."

The Warriors can still make this season a success with a second straight playoff appearance. West is in a three-way tie for fourth place in district with Beeville and Gregory-Portland, with five games remaining.

The presence of Skipper in the starting lineup adds hope for West.

Skipper pulled a leg muscle and didn't play at Floresville on Jan. 10, and saw limited minutes in West's losses to Calhoun and Gregory-Portland.

"Every time our kids come out to play, that's what they're going to look like," Jimenez said about West's effort against East.

Calhoun (2-3) is one game ahead of West, Gregory-Portland and Beeville for the No. 3 seed in district.

West travels to Beeville and hosts Floresville this week.

Wenzel wins battle of MVPs

Last season Victoria East's Adelaide Wenzel was named the Advocate all-area Most Valuable player while Floresville's Erika Hernandez shared the District 30-4A MVP honor.

The two met for the first time this season last week at the East gym.

In a game featuring two two Top 15 teams, not only did the Titans beat Floresville 82-63, but Wenzel outscored Hernandez 12-8.

East used their full court press to hold the Jaguars 17 points below their average coming into the game.

Hernandez was given different defensive looks all night and a combination of Wenzel, Shanice Hughes, Kamri Hardeman, Breanna Williams and Danielle Franklin held her to eight points, well below her season average of 22.

Warriors opponents eye Erskine

A year ago Drew Erskine was named the District 30-4A MVP.

Thus far this season, district opponents are content with now letting Erskine beat them.

The senior guard came into district play averaging 18 points per game. Through three district games, Erskine's average has been cut to 12.

In home losses to Calhoun and Victoria East, Erskine was held to 10 and 15 points.

Sandies 1-2 combo

A year ago, the Calhoun Sandies were the District 30-4A doormat. Calhoun finished 0-10.

But this season, Calhoun is 2-3 and in the middle of the playoff chase, thanks to returning scorer Michelle Wagner and complementary freshman post McKenna Villegas.

The pair have scored 57 percent of Calhoun's points in district play though five games.

Let's tee it up

Late January in South Texas means it's time to head out to the course and this week, high school programs begin their spring season at the Victoria West Spring Classic.

Victoria West, Victoria East, Calhoun and St. Joseph are among the field for the tournament at Victoria Country Club and Colony Creek Country Club.

The tournament begins on Friday at VCC with a progressive start on Tees No. 1 and 10 at 8:30 a.m.

The tournament concludes on Saturday with a shotgun start at Colony Creek beginning at 8:30 a.m.

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