When it comes down to the final minutes, it is the big shots that matter. Though the Sharyland Rattlers outplayed the Memorial Mustangs for three quarters and a half, it was the Mustangs who come through in the end, spurred by a home crowd to win 54-51 in a key District 30-5A match-up.

“We missed some key layups and key free throws that cost us the game,” said Rattler head coach David Keith following the game. “They had some guys step up that hit some big shots that normally don't. That was the difference in the game.”

Read more: Missed free throws doom Rattlers in loss to Memorial

LA JOYA -- A sloppy second quarter doomed the La Joya Coyotes and gave the basketball squad its first district loss after losing to McAllen Memorial, 69-52 Tuesday night in at La Joya High School.

The Coyotes (12-8, 2-1) started the first quarter slow, allowing the Mustangs (13-8, 3-0) to take a quick 7-2 lead. La Joya would respond when Ricky Castillo hit a three that would start an 11-2 Coyote run that was spurred by cold outside shooting by Memorial.

Read more: 30-5A BOYS BASKETBALL: Memorial hands La Joya first district loss

30-5A Boys Basketball:

McAllen Memorial 69 La Joya 52

30-5A Girls Basketball:

Sharyland 78 Palmview 6

La Joya 42 Memorial 37

Read more: TUESDAY BASKETBALL SCORES

Coach Andy Saenz is committed to making the Palmview boys basketball team better, but it's a process.

“It's been a struggle,” says Saenz of his first six months on the job.

There have been numerous hurdles the team has had to overcome since Saenz took over in mid-July for  departing coach Charles Hickman.

Read more: Palmview going through the gauntlet to get better

30-5A BOYS BASKETBALL SCORES FOR TUESDAY:

McAllen Memorial 83 Mission 38

La Joya 59 Palmview 53

Sharyland 59 Donna 42

Read more: BOYS AND GIRLS BASKETBALL SCORES

AT PALMVIEW-A win is a win but if you are Rick Cantu, Tuesday's 59-53 win over Palmview was ugly.

“We lost our focus there for a little bit in the fourth quarter," said Cantu. "We almost blew it at the end."

Read more: 30-5A BOYS BASKETBALL: La Joya blows lead, squeaks by rival Palmview