Eagles lay in flight plan to TAPPS title
Kwok has squad ready to return to prominence
The past few seasons have been solid but not spectacular for the St. Thomas boys basketball program.
But Johnny Kwok, in his fourth season as the Eagles’ head coach, believes this season will be different because of St. Thomas’ experience and athleticism.
“We have quite a few three- and four-year lettermen,” Kwok said. “We’re bigger, stronger and faster than we’ve been in a while. We look impressive on the court.”
For that reason, St. Thomas is considered a contender for the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools Class 5A state title. The Eagles are listed at No. 13 among large private schools in the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches’ preseason state rankings.
Kwok, his coaching staff and players aren’t shy about their goals, which include winning the TAPPS Class 5A-District 3 title, reaching the TAPPS State Boys Basketball Tournament for the first time since 2012 and claiming the program’s first state championship since 2011.
Last season, two TAPPS Class 5A-District 3 teams competed at state and, much to Kwok’s disappointment, St. Thomas wasn’t one of them. The Eagles, 25-12 overall, lost to Tomball Concordia Lutheran at regionals on a buzzer-beater and watched the Crusaders and rival St. Pius X reach the Final Four.
“It’s been a couple of years since we made it to state,” Kwok said. “We want to get back and win it all.”
St. Thomas is off to a promising start. The Eagles (3-1) crushed Katy St. John XXIII 85-35 in the season opener and won two of three games at the St. Thomas Classic, knocking off CHSA 91-15 and Toronto St. Michael’s 70-59 before falling to Victory Prep 72-62 in the semifinals.
Colin Jones, a 5-foot-9 senior and last season’s coteam most valuable player, has done a tremendous job running the team at point guard position. Jones, a returning second-team allstate selection, is averaging 11 points, seven assists and four rebounds. He poured in 19 points against Victory Prep.
“Colin is one of the top point guards in the state,” Kwok said. “Colin has been close to a triple double on a few occasions and his assist-to-turnover ratio is 3-to-1. He’s a four-year letterman and three-year starter and he’s playing like it.”
At the moment, St. Thomas is missing half of its outstanding backcourt. Senior David Jones, Colin’s twin and a 6-2 combo guard, is playing football for the Eagles, who are in the TAPPS Division I playoffs. David Jones, like his brother, made secondteam all-state last season.
“Football is David’s sport, but he’s a darn good basketball player,” Kwok said.
Senior Randy Brumant, a 6-6 forward, is one of four returning starters. Brumant leads the Eagles with 14 points and seven rebounds per game.
“Randy was 5-7 as a freshman and he’s grown to 6-6,” Kwok said. “He probably has the most potential of any player on the team.”
But St. Thomas’ top prospect is senior Jeremy Peck, a 6-8 post. Peck, a first-team all-state selection, recently signed with Drexel University. Peck is averaging 12 points and seven rebounds.
“Jeremy is a versatile player for his size,” Kwok said. “He can play inside or step out and hit the 3-pointer. It’s not easy to defend a player like that.”
Kwok hasn’t settled on a fifth starter. Fortunately, the Eagles have plenty of options.
Sophomore Melvin Larkins, a 6-3, 210-pound forward, could break into the main rotation. However, like David Jones, Larkins is involved in football.
Senior Kyle Dunphy, a 6-3 forward, has started a few games, but freshman Jaylen Davis, a 5-9 guard, and sophomore Kris Dixon, a 6-6 forward, could be future stars for St. Thomas. Davis has been in double figures on two occasions.
Sophomore Max Vosloh, a 6-2 guard, has been on fire from the perimeter.
The Eagles have two more prospects at post, with 6-8 freshman Brant Banks and 6-8 sophomore Everett Vaughn also available.
“This is, by far, the most-talented team I’ve had at St. Thomas,” Kwok said. “It’s also the deepest.”
Next up for the Eagles is a home game against Second Baptist at 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20, at Recking Gymnasium.