Mavs make history

By Manuel Azocar III - Sports Writer/Managing Editor | February 26, 2025

CLASS 4A, DIVISION II BI-DISTRICT & AREA PLAYOFFS

Pearsall reaches third round for first time in school history.

2025 Bi-District Champs

On the strength of a big second period, Pearsall held off a second half rally from Lago Vista and pulled away down the stretch to notch a 59-47 win in the Class 4A, Division II area championship in Seguin last Friday, February 21.
The Mavs advanced to the Region IV semifinals where they took on the La Marque Cougars in the third round Tuesday evening, February 25 in Yoakum. Final score and stats were unavailable at presstime but details from that outing will be available on the Frio-Nueces Current social media outlets.
The regional berth is the first for Pearsall since the Coach Bob Carroll and Leslie Studdard-led 1976-77 squad topped Randolph 74-50 at bi-district before falling to Weimar 62-48 at the Region IV, Class 2A tournament.
That squad was the first to win a bi-district playoff and set a school record for 13 wins in a row and was the first to finish district play unbeaten. The team also won three straight district championships.

Pearsall’s current squad is the first in school history to win two playoff games and reach the regional tournament while winning a school-best 25 games.
In Friday’s playoff win, the Vikings came out strong and held a narrow 11-7 lead in the first but the Mavericks turned up the defensive pressure in the second and forced turnovers that changed the momentum of the game.

PEARSALL’s Aiden Carrizales goes up under the basket for a layup during area playoff action against Lago Vista on Friday, February 21 in Seguin. Carrizales had three rebounds, a steal and a block in the Mavs’ 59-47 win. (CURRENT photo: Manuel Azocar III)

“It is a great time to be a Pearsall Maverick,” PHS Head Coach Jeff Viesca said. “Our basketball program has been blessed, and we are grateful for everything happening to us right now.
“I am not shocked by the wins, because I know how hard these kids have worked; from countless hours in the gym, summer workouts, summer and fall league, AAU basketball, and the list goes on.”
The team’s focus on the defensive end and hustle in making plays in transtion have been the biggest factor in Pearsall’s historic playoff run.
“I believe our defense has been the reason for both playoff wins,” Viesca said. “We have been flying around defensively creating turnovers either by trapping the ball handler or getting in the passing lanes for steals for easy transition points.
“Overall, the boys have been focused, and are doing everything in their power to continue this historic season we are having. We are thankful for all the continued support from our community. We all deserve this.”
The defense sparked the area playoff effort as the Mavs held sizeable advantages in both points of turnovers and transition points. Pearsall outscored Lago Vista 31-12 in points of turnovers and 25-6 in transition baskets. The Mavericks also had 18 steals, 15 deflections and forced 29 turnovers.
Junior Jeremy Rodriguez and senior Xavier Rendon paced the team with 19 points apiece. Rodriguez also had six rebounds and three steals while Rendon added seven boards, four assists and six steals.

Jeremy Carrasco fires a short jumper during the Mavs’ area playoff win against Lago Vista last Friday.

Marcus Woodard added nine points, three rebounds, a steal and a block while Nick Rios tallied eight points, eight boards, an assist, two steals and a block.
Ayden Rodriguez contributed four points, a rebound, three assists, five steals and a block while Aiden Carrizales finished with three rebounds, a steal and a block.
Pearsall earned its area title after topping the Gonzales Apaches in the bi-district round on Tuesday, February 18 in Stockdale.
The Mavericks played well from start to finish in their first round matchup, jumping out to a 12-11 lead in the first and taking a 36-21 advantage at halftime.
Pearsall outscored the Apaches in every stanza in rolling to a 62-40 win. The team led in almost every statistical category but the defense made the difference.
The Mavs outscored Gonzales 53-20 in transition points and points off turnovers as the team forced 36 turnovers, had 22 steals and five blocks.
Rendon and Rodriguez paced the offense but the senior had a big night with 28 points, 14 rebounds, two assists, six steals and two blocks.
Rodriguez added 18 points, two boards, three assists and six steals.
Woodard added eight points, six rebounds, two assists, five steals and a block while Ayden Rodriguez finished with three points, five rebounds, two assists and two steals.
Pearsall’s third round opponent, La Marque, finished ninth in the final Texas Association of Basketball Coaches Class 4A boys basketball rankings. The Cougars are 37-2 for the year and won District 29-4A with a 14-0 mark. The team’s only loss came to Vidor twice in tournament play. The Cougars have been on a roll since their last loss to Vidor, winning 14 game in a row by a margin of over 40 points per game.