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Tres Luzey of The Woodlands Christian Academy
FINAL COUNTDOWN: Previewing the TAPPS Hoops State Tournament
After months of preparation and competing, the private school basketball scene is finally coming down to the wire.
With several key matchups -- such as TWCA v. Second Baptist, Village v. Ursuline Academy, Second Baptist v. Saint Mary's Hall, and Rosehill Christian v. Brazos Christian -- taking place in the TAPPS State Tourney, fans should be in for a spectacle.
Here is the rundown of each respective exhibition.
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TWCA Warriors vs. Second Baptist Eagles
2023-24 TWCA Basketball
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
It's been another banner year on the court for The Woodlands Christian Academy (26-7; 9-1 in district) as they look to return to their 2020-21 State Title form.
After consecutive postseason victories over St. Augustine (83-60) and San Antonio Christian (77-57), coach Tanner Field and company are one step closer to achieving just that.
TWCA's exceptional depth has been their strong-suit on the floor, with the likes of Tres Luzey, Nick Brashear, Howie Keene, and Hunter Bowman propelling the Warriors further.
On the Second Baptist side, the Eagles (29-8; 13-1 in district) are coming off wins against St. Joseph Academy (96-50) and TMI-Episcopal (59-49) and look to keep their win-streak intact.
Senior Dyllan Thompson (18 ppg) has been the center-piece of coach Kevin Mouton's group, alongside the talents of Christian Haskett, Mike Olaly, and freshman Reese Alston.
This is a matchup between two TAPPS-5A district rivals, so it's safe to say that audiences are in for a show when they face off on Friday.
2023-24 Second Baptist Basketball
Doug Brown (VYPE)
Village Vikings vs. Ursuline Academy Bears
Some of the stars of 2023-24 Village Girls Basketball
Doug Brown (VYPE)
The Village School has already surpassed their 2023 mark of reaching the second round of the playoffs, following their statement wins against Trinity Christian (66-47) and Prestonwood Christian (59-52).
Despite having a relatively young squad, that hasn't stopped coach Jason Cantwell and the Vikings (27-11; 9-3 in district) from trouncing the opposition.
Senior guard Mila Rossini (19 ppg, 5 rpg, 3 apg) provides the necessary game experience on the floor, with sophomores Shaniya Williams (17 ppg, 7 rpg) and Cyra Narahari (7 ppg, 5 rpg) complementing her with style.
They now look to retain their momentum when the face Ursuline Academy on Thursday.
The Bears (21-9; 10-2 in district) recently defeated Parish Episcopal 60-48 following their district title acquisition.
Coach Nikki Nester's roster will feature the talents of senior Madelyne Davis (13 ppg, 4 apg, 4 rpg), Annabelle Tobin (10 ppg), and Lily Smith (9 ppg, 4 rpg), and Izzy Schroeder (8 ppg, 6 rpg).
Second Baptist Eagles vs. Saint Mary's Hall Barons
2023-24 Second Baptist Girls Basketball
Doug Brown (VYPE)
When it comes to private school girls hoops, Second Baptist is the model of consistency.
Coach John Herndon and the Eagles (28-9; 12-0 in district) enter the third round of the TAPPS postseason -- which marks their seventh-consecutive year of doing so -- on the heels of dominant wins against St. Joseph (83-40) and St. Joseph Academy (68-47).
Herndon has an arsenal of weapons -- Livy Sauvageau, Riley Tackett, and Holly Horton, just to name a few -- that he can turn to in the crucial moments, which will be essential down the line.
Next up for the Eagles is Saint Mary's Hall on Thursday.
The Barons (34-3; 14-0 in district) enters the TAPPS-5A Final Four, following victories over Kelly Catholic (63-23) and San Antonio Christian (44-35), which extends their win-streak to a whopping 16-straight.
Isabella Chase (17 ppg, 4 apg, 4 rpg) has had an exemplary sophomore campaign, with Sedelia Wilson-Larkin (15 ppg, 13 rpg) and Maddie Florence (12 ppg, 4 rpg) rounding out a dangerous trio for coach Matt Hayes' squad.
Rosehill Christian Eagles vs. Brazos Christian Eagles
2023-24 Rosehill Christian Girls Basketball
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
This Winter has seen nothing but success from Rosehill Christian Girls Basketball.
The Eagles (18-3; 5-0 in district) enter the TAPPS-3A State Tournament on the heels of back-to-back playoff wins versus Round Rock Christian (64-33) and Live Oak Classical (68-33), and they don't plan on slowing down anytime soon.
Seniors Charity Montgomery and Mercy Freeman headline coach Steve Krantz's talented group, which looks to add another title to their already-crowded trophy case.
They will face off Brazos Christian (27-8; 12-0 in district) tonight to determine who will have the opportunity to compete in the state championship.
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Blakely Olson of TWCA girls hoops
THE NEW KID: Olson taking center stage for TWCA girls hoops
MOVING TO A NEW SCHOOL AS A SOPHOMORE CAN BE TRICKY. NAVIGATING NEW HALLWAYS, UNDERSTANDING THE SOCIAL STRUCTURE OF A NEW HIGH SCHOOL, AND FINDING YOUR FOOTING INSIDE A NEW LOCKER ROOM CAN BE A CHALLENGE.
Well, Blakely Olson is fitting in just fine.
“TWCA is a great environment, and it has been a really smooth transition,” she said. “I love my new basketball team, and they have been so welcoming.”
Olson hails from Amarillo, Texas – where girls basketball is the big ticket.
“I don’t know what it is about West Texas, but there is so much D1 talent that comes from there,” she said. “I started young and playing out there has really prepared me for a successful high school career. I feel like I’m a good shooter and leader...I consider myself a great teammate.”
TWCA has a young squad this season under the direction of coach Matt Reese. Reese is excited about their talent, and the future could be bright as the pieces start to come together.
“I think we are going to build a strong team full of Christ-centered young ladies,” she said. “We are going to be determined to be our best all the time. As we play together...I think we are going to be really good.”
When she is not working out on the hard wood, Olson can be seen paddleboarding on the Waterway, hanging with friends, trying new restaurants or studying.
“I’m focused on academics and getting into a school like Baylor or TCU,” she said. “They are two different fields, but I’d like to be a radiologist or orthodontist.”
Her guilty pleasure?
“I love a good, cringey rom-com (romantic comedy),” she laughed.
Yep, she fits in just fine.