Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
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
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Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS, TWCA HAS BEEN BLESSED WITH TALENTED FLOOR GENERALS.
There was Bakari Lastrap, who led the Warriors to a pair of TAPPS State Titles from 2016-2020. The VYPE Private School Player of the Year now plays at Midwestern State.
Then came Austin Benigni, who won a pair of State Titles in basketball and was also a VYPE Player of the Year. His high motor and basketball IQ landed him at the Naval Academy, where he played in all 31 games last year as a freshman.
The baton has been passed to Tres Luzey, who has built a solid resume at TWCA but wants more.
“I worked out with Bakari and Austin over the summer and they just kept preaching hard work,” he said. “I learned from them that it’s all about attention to detail and never taking a practice rep off. You always have to be thinking of the end goal.”
His goal as a senior is to win another title for the green and gold.
“Coach (Jason Tocabens) reminds us that we are going to get everyone’s best shot, every night,” he said. “Teams are coming after us because of our history. We can’t take any team for granted, but our goal remains the same...a State Championship. Our chemistry is there, and we all are locked in on the same goal.”
Luzey took the offseason and summer to work on his game entering his senior season.
“Playing AAU with FAM Elite really helped my game this summer, but hitting the weight room was the biggest difference,” he said. “After last season, I knew I had to get stronger if I wanted to play at the next level. I worked a lot with our strength coach Tim Walker on my explosiveness and getting people off of me. I just needed to get more physical.”
Studying guards like Steph Curry, Trae Young, Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan and LeBron James, Luzey tries to bring an element of each of those superstars’ games.
“When I’m not watching tape, I’m hanging with friends or playing NBA2K and Fortnite,” he said. “But my real love is just playing ball. I’m going to do it as long as I can.”
With Division I schools vying for his talent, it looks like he won’t be stopping any time soon.
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