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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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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