GAMES
RANKINGS
Second Baptist claims it second straight TAPPS 5A State crown
ABOVE THE RIM: Recap of the 2025-26 TAPPS Basketball State Championships
TAPPS 6A BOYS -- Parish overpowers TMI Episcopal to secure 2nd crown in 3 years
2025-26 Parish Episcopal Basketball
Rebecca Deragon (VYPE)
In its third consecutive trip to the TAPPS 6A State Final, Parish Episcopal delivered a composed, commanding performance, pulling away from TMI Episcopal for a 62-48 victory Saturday in Waco. The triumph marked a second title in three seasons for head coach Ahmad Ajami, as the Panthers capped the winter at 21-7 overall.
Senior forward Hudson Lucas and guards Antoine Almuttar and Armon Almuttar each earned State All-Tournament honors, underscoring the balanced firepower and poise that fueled Parish’s championship run.
TAPPS 6A GIRLS -- The Village School dethrones Prestonwood Christian
Under head coach Jason Cantwell, The Village School Lady Vikings (30-6) powered through the TAPPS 6A bracket, eliminating St. Michael’s, Savio, and Antonian before sealing their run with a commanding 70-56 victory over defending champion Prestonwood Christian Academy to claim the state crown.
Moments after the final buzzer, senior guard Shaniya Williams and sophomores Nyla Singleton and Candice Tsiang earned All-Tournament selections, reflecting the team’s balance and composure on the biggest stage. Sophomore point guard Toni Ademuwagun also proved instrumental, pacing the Vikings at nearly 13 points per game and providing a steady offensive presence throughout the winter.
TAPPS 5A BOYS -- Second Baptist captures back-to-back titles with dominant win over Grace Prep
The stars of 2025-26 Second Baptist School Basketball
Matt Powell (VYPE)
SBS fulfilled its repeat ambitions, cementing the Eagles’ status as one of the state’s premier programs — and a dominant force within the private school ranks. The 31-4 squad rolled past Grace Prep 79-56 on Saturday, securing back-to-back TAPPS 5A state championships and marking the program’s fifth all-time crown.
It’s no secret who fueled head coach Taylor Land’s Second Baptist engine. Junior guard Reese Alston continued to light up the scoreboard all season, averaging 23 points per game, while Navy-bound senior Shia Francis provided the thunder to Alston’s lightning. Both earned All-Tournament honors, joined by sophomore big man Kaiden Smith, a genuine star on the rise. Junior wing Will Goolsby also deserves recognition for his steady scoring presence throughout 2026.
TAPPS 5A GIRLS -- Southwest Christian edges St. Mary's Hall for consecutive state crown
In one of the most electric finales of the weekend, Southwest Christian erased a 10-point deficit against St. Mary’s Hall with fewer than four minutes remaining in the TAPPS 5A championship, ultimately flipping the script for a 46-43 victory. The Eagles (32-8), led by Fred Jones, captured their second consecutive title and brought the team’s fourth state banner back to Fort Worth.
When all was said and done, All-Tournament honors were presented to junior combo guard Maley Campbell, senior Serenity Massey, and freshman Makay Campbell.
TAPPS 4A BOYS -- McKinney Christian completes historic run against Westbury Christian
Wrapping up the season on a 22-game winning streak, McKinney Christian Academy completed a flawless run to the TAPPS 4A title. The championship game ended in a decisive 49-31 victory over Westbury Christian, marking head coach Fonzo Martinez’s latest triumph and capping an impressive 39-1 campaign for the Mustangs.
The Mustangs’ dominance was reflected in the All-Tournament honors, with seniors Jaydan Vicknair and Manny Weaver, along with junior forward Diego Landin, earning recognition for their pivotal roles. Westbury Christian also placed players on the list, including Dan Mangala Jr., Jayvien Cummings, and freshman Carter Guillory.
Westbury Christian Jr. PF Dan Mangala Jr. (All-Tournament Team)
Bryan Guevara (VYPE)
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Second Baptist's Reese Alston
BEYOND THE SHADOW: “Lil Skip” Alston mutes doubters, building legacy at SBS
The junior point guard for Second Baptist is steadily shaping a modernized reputation on the court, showcasing consistency and
an ability to thrive in high-pressure moments.
Standing 6-foot-2, Alston racked up 763 points, 187 assists, 154 rebounds, and 88 steals last season, helping the Eagles secure a 33-4 record and a commanding 65-47 victory over Grace Prep in the TAPPS-5A State Championship—the program’s fourth overall title and first since 2018.
Postseason recognition followed, with Alston collecting TAPPS-5A Player of the Year, District MVP, and State Tournament MVP honors. From a recruiting standpoint, the four-star prospect has drawn interest from D1 powers including Purdue, Houston, Kentucky, and Texas Tech, among a host of others, signaling that his recruitment is reaching national heights.
Matt Powell (VYPE)
While his pedigree and skill are impressive, Alston credits his father’s guidance for shaping both his approach to the game.
“He’s coached me all my life, since my AAU days. One of the biggest things he’s instilled in me is a sense of unwavering focus,” Alston said. “Similar to what my Dad faced in his career, there are going to be doubters and haters along the way. But he taught me that I need to just keep putting in the work behind the scenes, and let all the noise roll off my back in order to overcome that.”
Alston also excels under the attention that comes with being the No. 3-ranked player in Texas.
“Honestly, I like the hostile environment that comes with the spot I’m in,” he said. “If you get that kind of attention and pressure, it usually means you’re doing something right. It’s easy to get distracted. But, I think that I’ve been able to handle those moments pretty well up to this point, and I’m ready for the ones that are ahead.”
When it comes to preparation, “Lil Skip” keeps it simple.
“I try not to over think it or get too locked in before games,” he said. “For me, the best way to get in the right headspace is just hanging out with the guys—usually listening to Kodak Black, Chief Keef, and Drake while we warm up.”
2025-26 Second Baptist BasketballMatt Powell (VYPE)
Now that Second Baptist begins its title defense, the target on their backs is larger than ever.
“Coach (Taylor Land) told us that it won’t be easy and that there are definitely going to be some teams who play that much harder against us because of it,” Alston said. “So, this year is about getting everyone prepared for the adversity we’ll face and being ready to show how we respond.”
For Reese Alston, it’s about more than continuing a family legacy. It’s about evolving his own—one shot, one game, and one championship run at a time.
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