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No. 12 Atascocita downs No. 14 Summer Creek 52-51 to punch ticket to State Tournament in Instant Thriller
HOUSTON - All David Martinez knew is that his team needed to get a stop.
Atascocita leading 52-51, following a circus-level acrobatic shot from senior Tom Hart III to put them up by one with 4.2 seconds remaining in Friday's Region III-6A Championship, Martinez knew rival-Summer Creek would try and go at the basket one more time.
And they did.
With time running off the clock, the Bulldogs fired one last shot attempt, which in live-action looked for a second like it may have beat the buzzer, which sent the Summer Creek fans and team into a frenzy. But instantly, the referee ran to center court waving his arms saying the shot did not count.
Atascocita was heading back to the UIL State Tournament.
"Honestly, all I saw was the referee waving it off to be honest with you," Martinez said. "I can't even put it into words. It's an incredible feeling. These young men here [Justin Collins and Tom Hart III] have been here by my side for four years and we've worked extremely hard.
"My hat goes off to Summer Creek and Kenneth Coleman and his group. That was an unbelievable battle."Summer Creek finishes the season with their best finish in school history by reaching the Regional Finals. It marks the first time the Bulldogs have ever reached this point of the year.
VYPE Postgame: @AHS_Eagle_BBall HC David Martinez talks to the media after a wild win. (Part 1) #txhshoops #UILState @HumbleISD @HumbleISD_Ath @hoopinsider @tmoneyy1120 pic.twitter.com/4ZkerU1OeE
— vypehouston (@vypehouston) March 6, 2021
But for Coleman, who is in his third season leading this team, the expectation for his program is for them to be right where they are and even farther.
"I have one goal as a coach and it's to be a state champion, period," Coleman, who led Port Arthur Memorial to the Class 5A State Championship in 2018, said. "I don't enter any season with my goal just being to be the district champion. It feels good, I have some super kids but my goal is to be a state champion. I know it's a progression.
"I feel like this team is good enough to be a state champion."
Atascocita is returning to the UIL State Tournament for the second time in program history.
The last time the Eagles reached this level came back in 2015-2016. That year, Atascocita played for the Class 6A State title but fell short to DeSoto, finishing the season 38-1. That team was led by current Boston Celtics player Carsen Edwards and current University of Houston standout Fabian White Jr.
Now, these Atascocita Eagles are set to play Austin Westlake in the State Semifinals early next week with a location, date and time to be determined.
VYPE Postgame: @AHS_Eagle_BBall senior @tmoneyy1120 talks after the win. Says Atascocita is the best team in Texas. Well they are now one of the final 4 6A teams standing #txhshoops @hoopinsider @HumbleISD @HumbleISD_Ath @HumbleISD_AHS pic.twitter.com/ZKU2xl5hWg
— vypehouston (@vypehouston) March 6, 2021
VYPE 2021 Softball Preview: The Eagle Leader
KATIE CIMUSZ KNOWS HOW TO HANDLE PRESSURE.
"I remember freshman year coming in, I was nervous," she said. "I had to really step it up. Now that I am a senior it's like, wow, I've grown so much since then. I've become more confident and more focused on the game. I think that benefited me."
Her freshman campaign would be memorable… and historic.
Atascocita finished the season 35-7 overall and defeated New Braunfels Canyon for the Class 6A State Championship – the first in program history – and Cimusz played a monster role. The freshman averaged a third-best .415 at the plate and then led the Eagles with 48 RBIs, 16 doubles, and 11 home runs.
"I have my medal still hanging up in my room, so I see it every day," Cimusz said. "It's so crazy to think that that was four years ago. I feel like I really built off of that and became such a big person from it. And just to see the impact on the community.
"It was great to see everybody come together for one big goal and it meant a lot to a lot of people."
The next unforgettable moment for Cimusz would come on September 9, 2019. That was the day Cimusz verbally committed to the Texas Longhorns.
"It's just such a big community that they have there and to be a part of that is so amazing," Cimusz said. "It's really humbling that my family and friends are always there for me. But I know there is always someone better than me that I have to compete with to get that spot. It's just an amazing program and I'm so excited to be there."
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