The Midland Legacy Rebels (15-17, 4-6) hadn’t had a playoff game in 12 years, but they rose to the occasion by upsetting the heavily favored El Paso Americas (29-5, 14-2) by a score of 59-44 to take the Class 6A boys’ basketball bi-district title on Feb. 20.
Midland Legacy went up 5-0 with 6:30 left in the first quarter on a Max Vera three from the corner. Vinnie Vicencio was able to stop the run with a three about 10 seconds later to make it a two point game. Up 11-5 with 4:02 on the clock, Diego Rodriguez poked his hand in for a steal, and then later with about 35 seconds left, Vera recorded a steal of his own. As time was expiring in the first quarter, Mario Holguin made it a 20-14 game on a buzzer beating three for Americas. Leading by six after one quarter, it was clear early that the Rebels were there to play, excelling on both sides of the court.
In the second quarter, the hot defense continued for Midland Legacy when Rodriguez recorded his second steal of the night with the Rebels up 25-21 at 4:20 on the clock. After tacking on three more points, Colin Brazzell got in on the defense with a steal, as well. Vera drilled another three with 1:36 left to put the Rebels up 32-23. Brazzell also had a big block at the end of the quarter to stop a fast break for Americas, but Aiden Marquez of the Trail Blazers was able to hit a three before time expired in the half.
The Rebels had a 32-26 game at the half, and it was still anyone’s game. At the start of the third quarter, Vera hit another three to go up 35-26. The Trail Blazers were held to only two points in the quarter.
As time wound down in the game, with the Rebels holding a commanding 15 point lead, senior Tommy Johnson tossed the ball into the air in celebration. The win was huge for Midland Legacy, as Americas was heavily favored and had won its previous 16 home games.
It was a the Legacy defense that made the major difference this game, as they allowed only 18 points in the second half as they forced poor shooting by the Trail Blazers. The Rebels never trailed in the win.
Overall, Legacy dominated just about every aspect by shooting 50% and 43% from three, while hitting 71% of their free throws. Americas shot only 27% total, going for 22% from three. The Rebels had a 39-19 rebounding advantage, and also led 10-7 in assists. Americas did do a solid job forcing turnovers as the Rebels had 21, and the Trail Blazers had 12 steals in the game.
Leading the charge in the win was Rodriguez, who had a team high 17 points and a pair of steals. Jordan Williams just missed a double-double, tallying 15 points and nine boards in the win.
This season has been one of many peaks and valleys for Midland Legacy. The Rebels won their first game of the season in a 25 point blowout over Seminole, but they went on a five game slide after this, as the team was 1-5 in the month of November.
They played well in December, going 9-4, but the new year had a rough start with a pair of losses before they hit district play. The Rebels won their first district game against Odessa, but then dropped three straight. They bounced back with a pair of wins against Midland and Odessa to finish out January, but then started February with two straight lopsided losses. Since then they have gone 2-1 including the win over Americas.
Next up for Midland Legacy is a road matchup with V.R. Eaton on Feb. 23 in the Area Round of the Class 6A Regional Tournament.