All-Houston semifinal in 3A part of TAPPS state tourney highlights
The TAPPS state basketball championships will be played at Waco University and Robinson high schools beginning with semifinals Wednesday. There will be 12 Houston-area teams competing — seven on the boys side and five on the girls side. Here’s a look at what to watch for as the slate of 36 games gets underway.
Heavyweight H-Town showdown in 3A
One of the most anticipated semifinals has to be the Class 3A matchup between No. 1 state-ranked St. Francis and No. 3 Westbury Christian. Separated by just eight miles on the west side of Houston, these teams are District 5-3A rivals. St. Francis won the district title with a 7-0 record. Westbury was second, its only setback coming against St. Francis. The Wolves won that game 55-43 at home on Jan. 26.
St. Francis also defeated Westbury 62-47 in the state semifinals last year. The rematch is set for noon Friday at University High School. The Wolves ultimately finished as the 2023 runners-up after losing 55-51 to Lubbock Christian in the final.
This game certainly will not lack talent. Westbury (21-15) is led by first-team all-state guard Jason Scott, a 6-foot-2 senior who posted 29 points and 11 rebounds in the Wildcats’ 72-59 victory over New Braunfels Christian in the regional playoffs last week. He recently surpassed 1,500 career points and is averaging 22.9 points, 8.2 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game while shooting 49% from the field and 40% from 3-point range.
St. Francis (26-10) has several players who can lead the charge. The top recruit on the team is 6-10 forward Nigel Walls, one of the top 50 players in the country for the 2025 class. Walls, who holds 14 Division I college offers, is averaging 13.4 points, 8.7 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game this season. John Laboy II, a 6-3 guard, is the second-leading scorer at 12.4 points per game. Christian Hodge, a 6-4 wing, is third at 11.1. O’Marion Harvey, a 6-6 wing, scored a teamhigh 22 points during the Wolves’ 90-55 regional playoff victory over Waco Live Oak Classical last week.
Luzey leads Warriors against district rival
The Woodlands Christian (28-7) has been one of the most successful programs in the state for the past decade-plus, winning seven championships since 2008. The Warriors’ most recent title came in 2021, and after a 77-57 victory against San Antonio Christian in the regional playoffs, they have a chance to go for No. 8. The Woodlands Christian has a strong player at point guard with senior Tres Luzey facilitating things.
The No. 5 state-ranked Warriors have a tough matchup in the semifinals, facing off against No. 3 Second Baptist (29-8), their District 5-5A rival. The teams shared the league crown this season with 13-1 records. The Woodlands Christian earned a 61-58 win in the first meeting on Dec. 4. Second Baptist fired back with a 74-58 win Jan. 23. The rematch is at 4 p.m. Friday at University High School.
Second Baptist is led by 6-7 forward Dyllan Thompson, who is averaging 18.1 points, 7.4 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game. He had a strong showing during the Eagles’ 59-49 regional playoff win over San Antonio TMI-Episcopal with 21 points, nine rebounds, two assists and two steals. Christian Haskett, a 6-5 sophomore guard, and Mike Olaly, a 6-9 senior forward, each average 11.1 points.
The Village School girls back in state semifinals
The Village School girls are headed to state for the fifth time in school history and looking to secure the program’s first championship since 2020. The No. 8 state-ranked Vikings (27-11) reached the final four with a 59-52 victory over Plano Prestonwood Christian in the regional playoffs. The Village School was the runner-up in District 2-6A behind San Antonio Antonian Prep and has won five straight games.
The Vikings are led by senior guard Mila Rossini, who is averaging 19.3 points, 5.4 rebounds, 3.3 steals and 3.2 assists. She’s scored at least 20 points in 20 games this season. Sophomore forward Shaniya Williams has been a major contributor as well at 17 points, 6.7 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 2.9 steals per outing.
The Village School will take on Dallas Ursuline Academy (21-9), the District 1-6A champion, in the semifinals at 6 p.m. Thursday at University High School. Ursuline is led by senior guard Madelyne Davis, who is averaging 13.3 points, 4.4 assists, 4.2 rebounds and 2.4 steals per game.
Second Baptist girls aiming for first title
The Second Baptist girls will be making the program’s seventh consecutive state tournament appearance with hopes of breaking through and winning an elusive championship. The Eagles have been the runners-up four consecutive years. They lost 46-34 to Argyle Liberty Christian in the Class 5A title game last year.
No. 3 state-ranked Second Baptist (28-9), which won the District 5-5A title with a 12-0 record, has plenty of momentum with a 14-game winning streak. The Eagles have not lost since falling to Round Rock Stony Point, a UIL Class 6A school, on Dec. 29.
Second Baptist will have a tough challenge in the semifinals against No. 1 San Antonio St. Mary’s Hall, the District 4-5A champion that has won 16 straight games. The Barons (34-3) have three players who average double-digit points, with sophomore guard Isabella Chase leading the way at 16.4 points per game. Sedelia Wilson-Larkin, a 6-foot junior, is averaging a double-double at 14.9 points and 12.5 rebounds per outing.
Rosehill Christian girls looking for redemption
The Rosehill Christian girls are out for redemption after losing 57-52 to Lubbock Christian in the Class 3A championship last year. The No. 2 state-ranked Eagles (30-3) were dominant in the first two rounds of the playoffs, rolling to blowout victories over Round Rock Christian Academy (64-33) and Waco Live Oak Classical (68-33).
The road gets tougher in the semifinals against Bryan Brazos Christian. The No. 4 Eagles (27-8) were the District 3-3A champions and have won 15 straight games.
These teams squared off in their season opener on Nov. 14, and Rosehill Christian prevailed with a 54-44 victory. The rematch is scheduled for 8 p.m. Wednesday at Robinson High School.