Santa Gertrudis Kingsville Academy High School’s varsity boys basketball team is 1-0 in District 32-A after defeating Santa Maria 51-44 this past Friday. The Pride scored 13 points in the first quarter, 13 in the second, nine in the third and 16 in the final period.

Chris Ainsworth was the scoring leader with 11 points including a trio of threepointers. Emilio Martinez also reached double digits with 10 points. Also scoring were Lalo Gonzalez (9 points), Raul Garcia (7), Connor Delaney (4), Caleb Canales (2), Issac Alvarado (2), Eddie Resendez (2), Carlos Valdez (2) and Randy Cavazos (2).

Academy held authority for most of the game before slipping a bit in the fourth quarter.

“We were in control the whole game until the fourth quarter; twice we held a 13 point lead which quickly turned into three,” Head Coach Matthew Gonzalez said. “We lost focus and committed seven turnovers in the fourth quarter which allowed Santa Maria to get back in the game. We were never really down, it was close but we were still in control, and coming up with our first district win is big.”

Playing at opponents’ venues has been a bit of a problem for the Pride this season.

“I don’t know if it is a mind thing but we usually have trouble on the road,” Gonzalez said. “We play better when we are at home (Driscoll), we rise to the occasion and play.”

Going into their game against Benavides this past Tuesday, the Pride planned on targeting the Eagles’ best player.

“Benavides’ best player is averaging 20 points per game,” Gonzalez said. “That will be the key to the game, not to shut him down but to slow him down. Every one of our players will have their eyes on him and know where he is on the court at all times.”

The Pride varsity and junior varsity boys basketball teams visit Bruni at 5 p.m. on Friday. Academy’s varsity girls basketball team visits Bruni at 6:30 p.m. on Friday.