Tompkins wastes no time making waves
In just their second varsity season, Falcons in thick of race for postseason berth
Tompkins is making waves in its second varsity season.
The Falcon boys basketball team was 15-7 overall entering this week, one year after winning only eight contests in their inaugural campaign, and sitting in a three-way tie for third in District 19-6A.
They’re 3-2 in district play, tying them with Katy Taylor and Seven Lakes.
“Everybody’s back and everybody’s a year older, and that’s made all the difference in the world,” coach Bobby Sanders said.
The Falcons went 4-10 in their first run through district last season.
“A lot of them were close, I mean really close, so we had chances to get into the playoffs, but when you look at the record it doesn’t look like it,” Sanders said.
The key to their success this season is defense.
Tompkins is allowing only 41 points per game, which leads District 196A.
“We’ve got a really good big man inside in Aziz Fadika,” Sanders said. “He anchors the middle, averaging about 11 rebounds and three blocks a game. And then our point guard, Jamal Bieniemy, is long and athletic.
“He’s a really good onthe-ball defender.”
The leading scorer is guard Josh Williams, who’s upped his average from 12 points per game last season to 17 ppg.
The junior is shooting 46 percent from 3-point range.
“He’s a great shooter, and he can attack the basket, too,” Sanders said. “He can score from all over.”
Sanders wasn’t happy with their play in a 42-37 loss to Katy Taylor last Friday, but he is happy with their district standing.
Cinco Ranch and Strake Jesuit are tied for first – only one game ahead of Tompkins.
The Falcons had wins against Katy, which beat them twice last season, Morton Ranch and Mayde Creek through five games.
Sanders said the key down the stretch is to add more scoring to their defense, starting Friday at Strake Jesuit. They tip at 7 p.m. “They’re leading the district,” Sanders said. “Them and Cinco Ranch are tied for first place, so it will be a really big game.
“Hopefully, it will be to see who’s in first at the end of the first round of district.”