What a weekend for the Alamo Heights Mules. After three extremely close playoff games that were decided by a combined seven points, the Mules exploded in the Regional Tournament for two big wins and are headed to the State Tournament for the first time since 2012 looking for their first title since 1954.
On Friday night at Northside Gym, in a battle between two San Antonio schools, Alamo Heights held off some early hot shooting from the Harlandale Indians to win 62-50 in front of a raucous crowd. Beating Harlandale meant moving on to the Regional Final against Laredo Nixon. Nixon finished up their semifinal in Northside Gym just before the Alamo Heights game tipped off, so the Mules and their fans got an early glimpse at the Mustangs. Known as a high scoring team with a passionate fan base, as was evident in the final minutes of their game, some worry crept in about another close fight.
Coming off a quick turnaround from Friday night, the Mules returned to Northside Saturday afternoon for the Regional Final against the Mustangs. Right from the start, it was clear that the Mules wouldn’t succumb to the pressure. At the end of the first quarter, Alamo Heights lead 19-2, with the two points for Nixon coming on free throws. The Mules kept their foot on the pedal all the way to a convincing 70-33 victory to qualify for the State Tournament. Although the result was clear much earlier, as the clock ticked down and the final buzzer finally sounded, the team and fans went into a frenzy. Players jumped into the stands to embrace their families, and others then rushed towards the student section to celebrate with their friends.
The Mules received their Regional Championship trophy and one by one the players, coaches and team managers got to cut down the nets. As Northside Gym began to clear out, the celebratory tone buzzed all around. While everyone wanted to enjoy this extraordinary achievement, the excitement was already building for what’s to come. It’s time to take the Mules’ caravan to the heart of San Antonio in the Alamodome.
