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HISTORY ON THE LINE: Hitchcock hoops looking to defend title Saturday
The Hitchcock Bulldogs are back in the State Title game Saturday morning against Ponder High School, after knocking off San Antonio Cole 57-40 in the semis.
The ‘Dogs (34-3) are trying to defend their Class 3A State Title from a year ago with virtually their entire 2023 roster back in the fold.
Easy, right?
Wrong.
“It’s not easier,” coach Chris Jordan-Foster said. “We are the defending State Champs and we get maximum effort from everyone we play. It’s been like that all season. We’ve played a little short-handed in stretches this year with injuries, but no one is going to feel sorry for you.”
Up next is Ponder, who beat Holliday, 62-46, in their semis. The Lions are led by coach JD Sullivan, who runs a very structured offense.
“They are so disciplined and technically sound,” Jordan-Foster said. “We are going to have to defend multiple sets because Coach Sullivan is a great X and Os coach. We have to defend without fouling and hope they don’t get hot from the outside. Our defense just needs to bother them just enough.
“On offense, we have to get a good inside touch and not fall in love with jacking up the three-pointer.”
The Bulldogs will lean on their stars – senior Damien McDaniel and juniors Elijah Sherwood, Lloyd Jones and Kelshaun Johnson.
“Elijah has been our constant all season,” Jordan Foster said. “He is a true basketball player. Damien is our leader, but he’s been banged up a little bit, and Lloyd is our quiet leader who is going to get you 20 (points) and 10 (rebounds).”
This weekend marks the third consecutive year that Hitchcock has reached the State Tournament.
“It really started with that group three years ago, who made it to the semis,” he said. “I still talk to them today and they could see what was coming. The community has really rallied around us and they know we can make history tomorrow.
“Now, we just have to take advantage of it.”
THE WRAP: Episcopal wins the VYPE Holiday Invitational; Awards, and full photo gallery
As is the case each Winter, the annual VYPE Holiday Invitational powered by Daspit Law Firm was full of intrigue, which was expertly demonstrated by the back-and-forth battle in the Championship game at the M.O. Campbell Center Friday night.
The Final featured a clash between private and public school powerhouses -- Episcopal and Katy Jordan -- and it certainly lived up to the billing.
By the end of the first half, the advantage belonged to Episcopal who held a 34-32 lead against Jordan. Every point was earned on both sides, which carried over into the final 16 minutes of the contest.
The Warriors were as proficient as ever, with Jonah Folse (21 points) leading the team in scoring after drilling seven shots beyond the three-point line, alongside Eljah Black (12 points) and Jaden Holt (10 points).
However, Justin Begg (George Mason-commit) and company would prove their mettle, as the Knights gradually pulled away in the fourth quarter to win the championship by the slim margin of 66-64.
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
Begg scored 22 points in the contest, earning him the title of Tournament MVP.
Jakeel Registe (20 points) and Brandon Thomas (8 points) were some of the additional headliners that propelled Episcopal to victory.
Justin Begg receives the Tournal MVP AwardJackson DiPasquale (VYPE)
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In a heated semifinals prior to the championship game, Episcopal knocked off Cy Springs, 71-57, in another matchup between private and public school basketball. Jakeel Registe scored 22 and Justin Begg added 15 points as the Knights had a 19-6 run in the third to stretch the lead. Stoney Hadnot lead the Panthers as he had 24 points for Cy Springs.
The Katy Jordan Warrior guard-play was impressive and the TWCA three-point shooters went cold as Jordan won 60-48 in the other semifinal. Jaden Holt (17 points) and Elijah Black played keep-away, not turning the ball over, while igniting the offense on the break.
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TOURNAMENT AWARDS
MVP
Justin Begg, Episcopal
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ALL TOURNAMENT TEAM
Stoney Hadnot, Cy Springs
Jaden Holt, Jordan
Howie Keene, TWCA
Jakeel Registe, Episcopal
SJ Young, Willis
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HONORABLE MENTION
Chandler Beasley, Willis
Jacob Carrizalez, Milby
Deadric Fikes, Aldine Davis
Scottie Guillory, Tompkins
Lucas Hobin, Strake Jesuit
Ray Jackson III, Manor
Lorenzo Robinson, Aldine
Jason Scott, Westbury Christian