Headed to state
Katy Tompkins makes history by beating Alief Taylor to secure first trip to state tourney.
Tompkins just spent the weekend flexing its muscle and making history.
The only question left after Saturday’s 60-43 victory over Alief Taylor in the Class 6A Region III title game was whether it will be worth having school Friday when the state semifinals tip off.
“The whole week honestly,” said guard C.J. Washington, whose 20-point effort was key in the Falcons’ 60-43 victory over Alief Taylor. Reaching new heights
Tompkins (29-8) certainly has much to celebrate, and the party started early at the Berry Center on Saturday. It is the 5-year-old program’s first regional title and the first time a Katy ISD school will be in the boys basketball state tournament.
Mention the fact that the Falcons also will be the lone Houston-area team in San Antonio next week and the smile is even wider on players’ faces.
“Just to give this trophy back to the school is big time for us,” Tompkins guard and Oklahoma commitment Jamal Bieniemy said.
The Falcons’ regional semifinal victory over Deer Park on Friday was pure domination. They won Saturday’s game in the third quarter off a 15-5 advantage.
Alief Taylor (24-13) — led by Joseph Ogunbanjo’s 11 points — only made two shots from the field in the quarter. Ogunbanjo scored all of his points in the first quarter. Tompkins only led by five at halftime and pulled away after slowing the pace and tightening its defense.
The Lions only led once at 24-23 after Kavin Ezekwe’s 3-pointer with 4:40 left in the second quarter.
Ezekwe was the hero in the regional semifinal victory Friday night, with his buzzer-beating shot sending region favorite Sam Houston home.
The Falcons ensured it wouldn’t stay that close Saturday. Washington consistently found the basket, and Bieniemy, who saved most of his impact for the second half, added 12 points.
Tompkins started the third quarter on an 8-0 run and held a 47-32 lead by the time the fourth started. The adjustments were apparent.
“We got on (Victor Irhirhi), who was splashing it from the outside,” Sanders said. “Then, we shut down (Ogunbanjo).”
Tompkins will be in a state tournament field full of new faces.
Allen, more known for its football prowess, is the only team in the Class 6A field with a prior state tournament berth, making an appearance in 2014. Otherwise, South Garland and Austin Westlake are firsttimers along with Tompkins. Enjoying the moment
Alief Taylor fell just short of making its own history by clinching a state tournament berth for the first time.
The Lions — who finished third in their district — quickly went from afterthoughts to conquerors this postseason with victories over Dickinson, Atascocita, Pearland and Sam Houston. Three of those games went to overtime, and two of those took double overtime.
“Like I told them, it was a great three weeks,” Alief Taylor coach Jeff Durnford said. “Those don’t happen often, so enjoy it. And we did. We enjoyed it. It was a nice run.”