10 THINGS TO KNOW THIS WEEK
Tompkins boys on top of 19-6A heap; Cy Ranch girls notch upset
Washington, Tompkins eye title 1
Senior guard C.J. Washington erupted for a career-high 28 points, scoring 22 in the first half, with 10 rebounds in a win over Katy last week, giving Tompkins, No. 15 in the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches Class 6A rankings, sole possession of first place in District 196A. Now the Falcons (15-4, 4-0) are determined to hold onto that spot. They tied for second in district the last two seasons, finishing right behind three-time defending champion Cinco Ranch. “We want to reach the top this year,” coach Bobby Sanders said. “We thought we could get there last year but we had a couple of slip-ups at the end of the season. So this year I think we’re ready, with the maturity we have.” Not to mention the talent. Guard Jamal Bieniemy is an Oklahoma signee, forward Kristian Sjolund signed with Georgia Tech, and Sanders expects Washington, who holds offers from Dallas Baptist and Henderson State, to land at a Division I school, too, especially if he continues playing the way he did Friday, when he surpassed 1,000 career points. Washington also was named MVP of the McDonald’s Texas Invitational after Tompkins beat Duncanville for the Division I Gold championship. “When he’s playing well, we’re doing well,” Sanders said.
Ogunbanjo also shines on hardwood 2
Joseph Ogunbanjo, an elite football recruit at linebacker who recently decommitted from Baylor, is leading Alief Taylor on the basketball court, too, helping them reach 3-0 in District 23-6A last week. The 6-4 senior forward supplied 22 points, five rebounds and two assists in a 53-52 win over Pearland, and 16 points, four boards and three assists in a 70-51 victory against rival Elsik. “He’s been a big key to our success this year,” coach Jeff Durnford said. With senior point guard Kalvin Ezekwe out indefinitely with an illness — Durnford hopes to have him back in a week or two but he was undergoing tests this week — he’ll have to play an even bigger role in the immediate future, even as defenses key in on him. The Lions are chasing their first district title since 2013. “It’s always a goal, but this year it’s more realistic,” Durnford said.
Peavy, Epps pace Dekaney’s big push 3
Coach David Peavy wanted Micah Peavy to post up more, and Malcolm Epps wasn’t involved in the preparation for Spring because he was in Florida all week for the Under Armour All-America game. The two forwards still combined for 48 points and 19 rebounds — and Dekaney won going away at rival Spring, 97-72. The win was the 20th of the season for the state’s 6A No. 4 Wildcats (21-3, 4-0). “We’ve got a chance to be really good,” coach Peavy said. “I believe that. And we’re very senior-heavy this season. We’ve got eight seniors and one sophomore in our regular varsity rotation, and when you have that many seniors, you’re supposed to be pretty good.”
Golden Eagles soar 4
Reigning Class 6A champ Cypress Falls (19-3, 3-0) continues to lead Houston’s 6As, maintaining its spot at No. 3 in the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches rankings.
Dekaney is fourth, Klein Forest seventh and Sam Houston 11th. Elkins (17-10, 6-1) slipped one spot to 13th in 5A, right behind 23-5A co-leader Shadow Creek (14-5, 6-1), which Elkins beat 77-71. Yates and Brazosport are Nos. 4 and 5, respectively, in 4A.
Falcons falter in first district loss 5
Cypress Ranch (17-4, 4-1) upended Jersey Village 63-51 on Tuesday in a battle of state-ranked girls squads, handing the No. 3 Falcons (21-3, 4-1) their first 17-6A loss. Guard Jala Buster, a South Alabama signee, led the way, scoring nine of her 15 points in the fourth. The win lifted the 14th-ranked Mustangs into a three-way tie for first in district with Jersey Village and No. 9 Cy Creek (21-4, 4-1).
Hurricanes prevail 6
No. 23 Hightower (19-8, 6-0) took down No. 24 Travis (19-4, 5-1) 46-43 in overtime in another showdown between state-ranked girls 6A squads Tuesday. Sophomore G Taelor Purvis sparked the Hurricanes in the fourth quarter and OT, helping them secure sole possession of first in 20-6A. Baylor signee Queen Egbo supplied 18 points, 13 rebounds, seven blocks and four steals in a losing effort.
Cy-Fair ISD girls lead way in poll 7
Jersey Village moved up one spot to No. 3 in the TABC girls 6A rankings, but it’s likely to tumble next week after this week’s slip-up against Cy Ranch, one of three Cy-Fair ISD squads in the top 15. The next highest-ranked team from Houston is No. 22 Atascocita. Barbers Hill and Madison stayed at third and seventh, respectively, in 5A.
Dickinson vs. Clear Creek boys 7 p.m. Friday, Clear Creek
8
Clear Lake is stateranked but Clear Creek leads 24-6A through four games because Dickinson beat Clear Lake before Christmas, creating a threeway tie for second between the Gators, Falcons and Clear Springs.
Cy Creek vs. Cy Falls boys 7 p.m. Friday, Cy Falls 9
The Golden Eagles are out to repeat as 6A champions, but first they want to defend their 17-6A championship. They’re currently in a three-way tie for first in district with Cy Creek and Cy Lakes.
Ridge Point vs. Hightower girls 7 p.m. Friday, Hightower 10
After knocking off the talented Tigers in overtime, the Hurricanes tangle with another top-notch squad in the Panthers, who are tied for second in 20-6A after beating fourth-place Bush on Tuesday.