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

At La Joya-· Ricky Castillo scored 21 points and hit five three pointers to lead La Joya to a 54-25 win over the Donna Redskins in the opening play of District 30-5A. Castillo had help from teammate Ricky Salinas who scored 11 points. ·With 5 minutes remaining in the second quarter La Joya stalled for the last shot when sophomore Pablo Tovar rebounded and scored·with 1.2 remaining sending La Joya ahead at the half. ·The win gives La Joya a 1-0 start in district and 11-8 overall. La Joya will play sister school Palmview on Tuesday. The Lobos are also 1-0 after taking down Mission, 48-36.

In their first two years of varsity play, the Lady Lobos of Palmview basketball have struggled. Year one the team won zero games. Year two the team slightly improved but mustered only three district wins. Year three is off to a slow start, but the team is showing potential.

Read more: Palmview looking to lay foundation for future

At La Joya - The Coyotes shot a high field percentage in the first half as they rolled to a win over PSJA Bears 80-61. Ricky Castillo led the La Joya with 28 points and teammate Ricky Salinas had 12. Jesse Castillo had the high for the Bears with 16 points. The win was a nice welcome break for the Christmas holidays heading into district play.