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2021 VYPE Awards: Private School Men's Basketball Player of the Year Finalists

It is awards season here at VYPE!

We welcome you to the Countdown to the 2021 VYPE Awards presented by Houston Methodist Orthopedics & Sports Medicine. Over the next two weeks, we will be unveiling the finalists for the player of the year awards. Team and Coach of the Year awards will be announced LIVE during the Fourth Annual VYPE Awards.

The winners will be honored in a one-hour virtual show on Sunday, June 27 at 6 p.m. on VYPE Houston's website, Twitter account and on the VYPE Texas Facebook page and YouTube Channel! It will be an event to get dressed up for and to tune in to as it will be an evening full of special moments!

Let us get it started! Here are the finalists for Private School Men's Basketball Player of the Year!

PLAYER OF THE YEAR FINALIST: Austin Benigni, The Woodlands Christian Academy

Austin Benigni knew that his role was going to be increased this year, especially in the leadership category. Benigni would fill the shoes that Bakari LaStrap left at TWCA and he did just that. The high-motored junior took over games, flying through the air scoring and distributing the rock. He helped TWCA win the program's seventh state championship and second-straight title. As he heads into his senior year, he eyes the three-peat, which has never been done in Warriors' history.

PLAYER OF THE YEAR FINALIST: Chris Felix, Westbury Christian

Chris Felix helped guide Westbury Christian men's basketball to yet another title in TAPPS 4A. In 25 games this season, the Air Force-signee averaged 24.2 points and eight rebounds per game for the Wildcats.

PLAYER OF THE YEAR FINALIST: RJ Keene

Concordia Lutheran made a run at it again in 2021 led by senior RJ Keene. The Boise State-signee surpassed the 2,000-point mark for his career this season. In 23 games this season, Keene averaged 19 points, 9.1 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game for the Crusaders.


Houston Methodist Orthopedics & Sports Medicine is Houston's leading provider of orthopedic services, from sports medicine to joint replacement. Houston Methodist offers comprehensive diagnostic, treatment and rehabilitative services with a high standard of excellence for elite athletes, active adults and student athletes. Houston Methodist serves as the official health care provider for the Houston Texans, Houston Astros, Rice Athletics, Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo™, Houston Ballet, Houston Symphony and Houston Grand Opera.