Houston boys clinch 1st state tourney appearance
The grin on Alden Applewhite‘s face as he dribbled out the final seconds of Houston’s 63-43 sectional win over Arlington on Monday said it all.
The Mustangs secured their first boys basketball state tournament appearance and the 6-foot-5 junior guard was thrilled to be a part of it.
“My favorite moment of the season so far is this win right here, just this win right here, being able to make history and continue our run to Murfreesboro,” Applewhite said.
Houston (29-4) failed to reach the region tournament two years ago and was eliminated by East in the region semifinals last year. This year, the Mustangs were boosted by the addition of Applewhite, who won district and region tournament MVP after transferring from Lausanne, and motivated by the loss to East. “It motivated us a lot because that feeling that we had that our season was done, we did not want to feel that again, so now we’re still rolling and we’re trying to get the gold ball,” point guard TJ Madlock said.
Coach Charlie Leonard came out of retirement in 2017 after college coaching stops at LSU, Memphis, North Texas and Christian Brothers. He has also won a state title at Christian Brothers High School in 1987. He said coaching in 2020 is different than it was when he left CBHS in 1990, the year after Houston opened.
“These kids are different than they were 30 years ago,” Leonard said. “But they’re different because the world is different. Not because kids are different, but because of their surroundings. They’ve done a great job.
“I’m the one whose had to adjust, not the kids, because there was no Twitter or things like that when I was coaching in high school before. So I’ve had to adjust without relenting. We’re supposed to make them better men and make them tougher and resilient people when it’s all said and done. I’m not an easy guy to play for. That part has not changed. The process is a little different, but the end result is wanting them to get through tough things in life.”
With every starter 6-foot-1 or taller and three starters over 6-foot-8, Houston will have a size advantage over most teams in the state tournament, which helps with rebounding. They’re also a strong outside shooting team with Applewhite and Mason Miller adding 3point range.
“It spreads the floor out because they can’t help too much off of that. It gives me a lane to drive or kick,” Madlock said. “Last year I had to go score the ball all the time, but this year I have scorers all around me so it’s really helped with my playmaking abilities and leadership abilities.”
The state tournament starts on March 18 at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro. Whitehaven, which beat Houston in the Region 8-AAA title game, also advanced to the state tournament.
“Its hard to tell people what the NCAA Tournament or what they state tournament will be like,” Leonard said. “They have to break down that wall and experience it for themselves. And when they do then they’ll understand that it’s a lot of fun and it’s work that’s being rewarded.”