Small mistakes and miscues continued to haunt the Natalia Mustangs, as they dropped a 30-3A battle on the road in Atascosa County last Friday night. Despite taking an early 6-0 lead in the contest, the Indians were able to produce double digits in the first three quarters, setting the tone for a big 54-36 victory over the visiting Natalia Mustangs.
“We came out against Jourdanton playing extremely well and were able to build a 6-0 lead early in the game,” Coach Justin Welsh said. “We played well throughout most of the 1st quarter, but turnovers and 2nd chance points cost us when it was all said and done.
The Indians used their size advantage to rough up the Mustangs down-low allowing for those second and even third chance points versus the boys in blue.
“Jourdanton is a talented team and extremely long,” Welsh said. “Against a talented team like that, we can’t allow them the second chance points.”
Overall defensively, Natalia held J-Town to 30% shooting, but gave up 21 offensive rebounds which proved to be the difference. When you combine that fact with 25 turnovers, it was simply too much to overcome.
Jourdanton rallied past Natalia after being down 6-0 early, outscoring Natalia 14-1 to finish the opening quarter with a 14-7 lead.
In the second quarter, Natalia managed to hold their own offensively, as Juelian Armendariz produced six of the ten points in the quarter. Unfortunately, Reyna scored eleven of eighteen for the Indians allowing Jourdanton to march into the half with a 32-17 lead.
In the second half, Jourdanton put the dagger in the Mustangs, outscoring them 18-6 in the 3rd quarter allowing for a 50-23 lead going into the final quarter of action.
Natalia left it all on the court in the fourth, as Armendariz and Fabian Ruiz combined for the majority of the Stangs final 13 points in the contest. J-Town finished the game with a four point 4th, resulting in a 54-36 victory by the Indians.
“They were able to turn 25 turnovers into 21 points and when you add that with the second chance points I spoke of, it is a recipe for a loss,” Welsh said. “We have shown throughout the season we can play at a high level, but we struggle playing at a high level consistently. There are too many good teams in our district to play well for a half, then shut it down.”
Scoring Leaders: Armendariz 15, Daniel Ramirez 7, Ruiz 5.
Upcoming Games
On press night, Natalia was on the road in LaSalle County battling the Cotulla Cowboys. This Friday, Natalia travels to the border city of Laredo to face Harmony for the first time in the programs history in district play at 7:45 p.m.
On Tuesday, the Mustangs welcome the Dilley Wolves to town for a 7:45 p.m. battle.
30-3A Standings as of press time: Jourdanton 3-0, Lytle 3-0, Dilley 2-1, Cotulla 1-2, Natalia 0-3, Harmony 0-3.
By Eric Smith