It’s Championship Saturday and the last day of the scholastic season was a memorable one. Dallas Carter and Silsbee produced arguably the most entertaining game all season. Port Arthur Memorial, Justin Northwest looked to make history as it took an extra period to decide the contest between Allen and Katy Tompkins.
Justin Northwest vs Port Arthur Memorial (5A State Final)
1st Soph Julien Smith Of Justin Northwest knocks down a transition three to make the score 5-2 in Texan’s favor. Sr Thailan Wesley for Memorial answers back with a three of his own to tie the ball game. It was a back and forth affair in the first quarter until Northwest locked in on defense, forcing Memorial to contested jumpers and imposing their will inside with the combination of Sr Mason Hix and Jr Sam Freeman. Another Wesley three pointer trimmed the deficit to six as the Texans head to the second quarter up 16-10.
2nd Sr. Jacob Keys for Northwest has played his role for his squad with five points, 2 rebounds and a block. He started the second quarter securing a rebound and knocking down two free throws. Mason Hix connected on two straight jumpers from beyond the arc which pushed the Texan’s lead to double digits. Sr Jomard Valsin For Memorial was effective in the second quarter handling the pressure in the backcourt and going on his own 4-0 run to keep Memorial in striking distance. Memorial began seeking shots in the paint and withered the margin to three points going into the half. Texans up 36-33
3rd The beginning of he second half was sloppy as four turnovers were recorded in a minute span.avery Anderson picked up his fourth foul with 5:09 left in the third as Memorial seek to make a push with Northwest star guard on the bench. Wesley knocks down a much needed three pointer to end the third to keep it a two/three possession game. 50-45 Northwest.
4th Memorial’s Sr Darion Chatman goes on a 6-0 surge in the beginning of the fourth and give it he Titans the lead for the first time since the first quarter. Chatman continued to play the alpha male role for Memorial and strung together a 10 point four quarter performance. Mason Hix knocks down a trey ball with 1:27 left in the game to make the score 68-62 Memorial’s way but the Titans made freethrows, strung together stops and hung on to win 75-69 for their first State Title.
Player Analysis
Mason Hix, Sr Forward – Justin Northwest: Hix was aggressive from tip-off as he crashed the boards, made jumpers from beyond the arc and executed on shots inside through contact.
Sam Freeman, Jr C – Justin Northwest: Freeman is showing the signs of turning the corner. Looked to finish above the rim multiple times and contested every shot at the rim. He finished with 11 points 15 rebounds.
Thailan Wesley, Sr SG – Port Arthur Memorial: Wesley constructed a strong outing with a 21 point outing. He added two blocks and three rebounds in the process but his ability to bounce back when his shots weren’t falling early and get to the line to find a rhythm (8-10 on Ft) won’t go unnoticed.
Darion Chatman, Sr PG – Port Arthur Memorial: Chatman received MVP honors and his fourth quarter performance propelled him to the award and onto the notable player list. He went on his own 10-0 run in the fourth quarter and rallied his team to a victory.
Silsbee vs Dallas Carter (4A State Title)
1st The beginning of the matchup stared the way the staff imagined. An exchange of baskets, fast pace and physical. Dallas Carter started off leading 4-0 but Silsbee’s Jr Wing Devon McCain produced 5 quick points and Soph Braelon Bush knocked down 3 threes in the first quarter as well and Silsbee led 22-18. A mix of Jr Zahad Munford and Sr Malek Butler gave Carter the lead as the finished the first quarter up 29-26.
2nd Carter goes on a 6-0 run after Jr Kyree Rodgers executed on a three point play and Malek Butler knocks down a three pointer making it 35-26. Braelon Bush answers back with his 4th and 5th three pointer and a McCain layup trims the deficit to one. Silsbee takes the lead and McCain records eight points and assists in the quarter. The tigers up 50-46 at half.
3rd The second half started off the same way the first half operated. Points were exchanged and the pace of the game was very fast. Silsbee orchestrated two straight stops and five straight points to take a 64-55 lead. Devon McCain continued to impose his will and finished with 29 pts after three. Dallas Carter made a wave of runs and tied the game on multiple occasions as Kyree Rodgers and Zahad Munford led those charges. Tigers lead 78-73 going into the fourth quarter.
4th With 8 minutes left in the season, Silsbee looked to continue their dominance in 4A and Carter seeked their first championship in over 20 years. Silsbee’s seven point lead after a Sr Jadon Bass three seemed to have evaporated as the Cowboys trimmed the lead to one. Devon McCain and Braelon Bush continued their explosive scoring performance as they scored the last 8 points for Silsbee. Dallas Carter rallied back in the game but the Tigers held on for their second straight 4A Title and Head Coach Joe Sigler’s 700 win 104-101.
Player Analysis
Devon McCain, Jr Wing – Silsbee: what a performance by McCain as he tallied 39 points and added 11 rebounds and six assists. McCain bullied his way into the paint and found the open man when he drove to the basket.
Braelon Bush, Soph PG – Silsbee: Bush produced a whopping 31 points in Silsbee’s win. Braelon connected on four shots from beyond the arc as he orchestrated his own personal runs in the first and second half. What Bush lacks in height, he makes up with toughness, skill and feel.
Zahad Muford, Jr Wing – Dallas Carter: Munford burst onto the scenes after his string of performances in the state tournament. He put together a 37 point performance and the strong body Wing will see his name on our database.
Malek Butler, Sr PG – Dallas Carter: Butler was knocking down shots off the bounce. He produced 16 points and defensively deflected passes and showcased ability to defend multiple positions.
Katy Tompkins vs Allen (6A State Title Game)
1st Sr Jamal Bieniemy for Tompkins started off hot scoring the first six points for the Falcons. Jr Isaiah Stevens knocked down a three pointer and Sr Jaylen Walker for Allen contributed with buckets in the paint and in the boards. Tompkins hot start helped hold the lead 14-9 after the first quarter.
2nd Tompkins starts the second quarter with a alley oop Slam which was finished by Jr Kristian Sjolund. Allen Jr Donovan Parham executed a layup and his energy coming off the bench kept the Eagles within striking distance. Bieniemy and Katy Tompkins up 22-19 going into the half.
3rd Jaylen Walker was efficient all across the board as he secured two rebounds, got an assist and finished a layup through contact. CJ Washington went on a 4-0 run, attacking the paint, drawing fouls and making the defense retreat back on defense. Efficient offensive production from Walker and Isaiah Stevens gave Allen the lead 35-32 going into the fourth.
4th it was a back and forth affair in the fourth quarter as both squads had to scrap and fight to produce a bucket. Bieniemy took the alpha dog role and made plays for himself and others down the stretch. Jr Jaylon Scott for Allen produced four points in the quarter and Mr. Reliable Jaylen Walker hit some tough shots down the stretch but a miss jumper at the buzzer from Walker tied the ball game up 44-44 and this one went to overtime.
OT only two field goals were made in OT as Sr Eden Holt connected on the first one with a three pointer to give Tompkins the lead 47-45. Walker knocks down two big time free throws to tie it up and a crucial turnover from Bieniemy allowed Donovan Parham with five seconds left to dribble down the court unguarded and make a layup with one second left. Tompkins failed to get a clean look at the basket and Allen makes history and wins the 6A State Title
Player Analysis
Jaylen Walker, Sr Forward – Allen: The Navy Signee has produced for Allen all season and the Alamo Dome in front of 10k people wasn’t a stage too big for him either. Walker orchestrated 18 points and garnered MVP honors for the tournament
Isaiah Stevens, Jr PG – Allen: Stevens finished with 11 points 5 assists and 3 rebounds as the talented guard got to his spots, shot 60% from the field and his ability to pick apart the defense gained open jumpers for his teammates.
Jamal Bieniemy, Sr SG – Katy Tompkins: Bieniemy almost produced a double double with points and assists as he gathered 15 points and 8 assists. If Tompkins would of pulled it off, The Future Oklahoma Sooner would of been the staff’s vote for MVP.
CJ Washington, Sr PG – Katy Tompkins: Washington finished with 15 points and his pursuit to get to the paint was a plus for the Falcons. Washington’s performance in the playoffs was terrific and stepped up to the occasion.