Apaches set eyes on playoffs near district midpoint

GONZALES — The story of the game wasn’t the final score, though for those keeping track, San Marcos Home School beat Gonzales 47-35. Rather, in a non-district game during an open day in the middle of district season, the story is how much have the Apaches progressed. Head coach AJ Irwin came into this game with set goals in mind and even though his boys team took the loss, Irwin left Tuesday with a good feeling that his team is headed in the right direction.

“There were some shots that didn’t fall, but that’s kind of the game of basketball,” he said. “The goal was to come in and do as you’re coached to do and they did. There were some mistakes here and there, and it happens, especially in a rebuilding situation.”

The rebuilding process is showing. Irwin noted that a senior player pointed out to the locker room after the game how the team had two different point guards bring the ball up, slow the game down and run the offense, something that hasn’t happen in recent memory.

“Every time we do something we’re breaking ground,” Irwin noted.

Irwin went on list the set of accomplishments so far, including winning two of their first five district games.

“It speaks volumes to where we’re headed. We’ve gone through some really dark places,” Irwin laughed, “but we’re headed toward the light.”

The Apaches suited up 12 and used all 12 players in their loss against San Marcos Home School. That’s a strategy to be expected for the team.

“If we got the kids that can play, we’ll play them,” Irwin explained.

Currently Gonzales sits at fourth place in District 30-4A, one game behind San Antonio Brooks Academy and a half game above Poteet. The official midpoint comes Friday night when Gonzales finishes out their first round of district play on the road against La Vernia (4-1), a stout team that’s lone district loss was against #21 Pleasanton. A loss puts Gonzales tied with Poteet and potentially Cuero or Navarro at 2-4. A win can shoot the team up to third.

There’s still work to be done, but right before midway through, the Apaches are deep in playoff contention. That’s a phrase the team hasn’t been able to say in years. “Playoff contention.”

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