GAMES
RANKINGS
The Veterans Memorial Eagles take the VYPE Holiday Invitational championship back home to Corpus Christi
THE WRAP: CC Veterans Memorial triumphs in the 2024 VYPE Holiday Invitational; All-Tournament teams announced
From the start, both teams came out aggressive.
Veterans Memorial set the tone with timely scoring from junior Sean Mondragon in the first quarter, who led the team with 6 points through the first 8 minutes.
Despite the Eagles’ considerable depth, Jordan kept up the pace, thanks to senior point guard Jaden Holt keeping the squad within striking distance.
By halftime, the score was knotted at 25-25, leaving the game up for grabs.
The Warriors made adjustments at halftime, eventually taking a 6-point lead in the third quarter, courtesy of Holt, as well as key contributions from Jalen Black (Sr. G) and Rayan Fadika (Sr. F).
However, Coach Billy White Jr. and co. answered with clutch sequences in the fourth, especially from sophomore Jeremiah Moore (11 points) and the aforementioned Mondragon (15 points), who both played pivotal roles down the stretch.
With the score neck-and-neck in the final minutes, the Veterans Memorial's sheer athleticism and conditioning helped the team ultimately hold on for the 55-52 win.
Billy White III accepts the Tournament MVP Award from VYPE CEO Derek DusekAlex Hinson (VYPE)
Coach White's son, Billy White III, was named the Tournament MVP, contributing 14 points and leading the charge in the second half.
As a whole, the Eagles’ defense, particularly in limiting Jordan's explosive scoring ability, was crucial in securing this definitive tournament series.
With the championship victory, the Veterans Memorial Eagles solidified their status as a premier state competitor to watch this season.Though falling short, Coach Charlie Jones' squad showed they are capable of competing at a high level, and both teams will carry the momentum of this game into their upcoming schedules.
...
TOURNAMENT AWARDS
MVP
Billy White III, CC Veterans Memorial
...
ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAMS
FIRST-TEAM
David Chong, Dickinson
Aiden Fyfe, Episcopal
Christian Gibson, Mayde Creek
RJ Greene, Iowa Colony
Jaden Holt, Katy Jordan
Sean Mondragon, CC Veterans Memorial
Reece Walker, Trinity Christian Academy
David Chong -- Dickinson
Alex Hinson (VYPE)
...
SECOND-TEAM
Amassia Dayian, Trinity Christian Academy
Maddox Davis, Westbury Christian
Rayan Fadika, Katy Jordan
Isaac Freeman, Tompkins
Jeremiah Moore, CC Veterans Memorial
Loukas Naum, Concordia Lutheran
Chris Williams, Stratford
...
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Dre Charlot, Barbers Hill
JD Cheeves, Stratford
Jamal Chretien II, Mayde Creek
Jayden Evans, Iowa Colony
Rayan Fadika, Katy Jordan
Ghaven Mittal, Concordia Lutheran
Demarion Morgan, Westbury Christian
Alim Olajuwon, Episcopal
Episcopepisal is awarded the VYPE Invitational Championship trophy following their 66-64 win over Katy Jordan
THE WRAP: Episcopal wins the VYPE Holiday Invitational; Awards, and full photo gallery
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)
...
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.
...
TOURNAMENT AWARDS
MVP
Justin Begg, Episcopal
...
ALL TOURNAMENT TEAM
Stoney Hadnot, Cy Springs
Jaden Holt, Jordan
Howie Keene, TWCA
Jakeel Registe, Episcopal
SJ Young, Willis
...
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