EL MATON — Ava Salinas and Leah Gutierrez embraced near midcourt for more than a minute after the final buzzer Tuesday night.
Salinas and Gutierrez had just played their final high school game together after Hitchcock pulled away late for a 63-49 win in the UIL Class 3A Division I state semifinals at Tidehaven High School. The Bulldogs advance to Friday’s state championship game versus Shallowater at the Alamodome in San Antonio.
The moment between Salinas and Gutierrez captured the end of Bishop’s magical postseason run and the bond between two teammates who have played basketball together since they were young.
“We’ve grown up playing basketball together,” Gutierrez said. “She means everything to this team. We all follow her lead, and she’s such a great leader and friend on and off the court.”
Their bond on and off the basketball court helped power Bishop’s deep playoff run after the Badgers added another chapter to a program that has now reached the UIL Class 3A state semifinals three times in six seasons.
Bishop trailed by nine at halftime but settled in during the second half behind Salinas and the shooting of Gutierrez, Camilla Aguilar, Rylie Garza, Lindsey Zimmerman and Carolina Garcia.
The Badgers opened the third quarter on a 11-4 run and briefly took the lead before the momentum shifted late.
“Me and Leah were the dynamic duo,” Salinas said. “Point guard and shooter. I’d dribble, kick it out and she’d knock down the shot. I’m really going to miss playing with her, but I know she’s going to be great.”
Salinas got into foul trouble in the third quarter and ended up fouling out early in the final period. Even on the bench, the senior captain remained vocal and continued to encourage her teammates in the closing minutes.
“My message to the team was that even though I’m not on the court, I’m still on the sidelines helping everybody,” Salinas said. “Everybody knows their role and their job on this team.”
Luna said the team’s effort throughout the season is what she will remember most, especially the way the Badgers battled back after falling behind early against the Bulldogs.
“I’m beyond proud of every one of these girls,” Luna said. “They embraced their roles, did everything I asked them to do and never stopped fighting. We were down nine at halftime and battled back to take the lead, but the fouls didn’t go our way and we got into foul trouble.”
Salinas and Gutierrez combined for more than 30 points as Bishop ended the season 34-7 and suffered its first loss since Dec. 29, 2025.
Despite the defeat, Salinas said this season was one she will always remember after Bishop won its seventh consecutive district title.
“Senior year has been incredible for me and my teammates,” Salinas said. “A lot of hard work, blood, sweat and tears went into this season, and I’m super proud of every single one of us.”
Gutierrez said the Badgers carried motivation after last season’s loss in the regional final.
The junior sharpshooter also said reaching the state semifinals meant a lot to this year’s team and to the Bishop community.
“Everybody doubted us and said we wouldn’t go far,” Gutierrez said. “We proved everybody wrong, and I’m just so proud. I think the whole town of Bishop is proud. We wanted to get back for our community and our town and get past the regional finals. We did that, so I’m super proud.”
With Gutierrez and several key players returning next season, Bishop’s latest playoff run could be another step for a program that continues to establish itself as a Class 3A power in the Coastal Bend.
Salinas and Kirryn Wade are the two seniors that will graduate in the offseason. Luna said the foundation built by them, plus the upperclassmen, will carry forward into next season.
“Since freshman year, this is all we’ve ever wanted,” Salinas said. “It means so much to make it here my senior year. I couldn’t have done it without my teammates, my coaches and everyone who has supported us.”
This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Salinas, Gutierrez share final game as Bishop basketball falls in semis
Reporting by Rey Castillo, Corpus Christi Caller Times / Corpus Christi Caller Times
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
