St. Thomas hoops shines in Spokane | Sports
One of the area’s top high school boys’ basketball team recently took a cross-country trip for a special two-day tournament, and returned home victorious to maintain its hold near the top of Texas’ private school rankings.
Last week, the St. Thomas Eagles’ basketball team took a West Coast road trip as they traveled to Spokane, Washington against two of Spokane’s best high school teams. St. Thomas took down Gonzaga Prep 68-60 on Friday, and followed it up with a 71-52 win over Spokane University.
With the wins, St Thomas is 15-1 on the season and ranked 4th in the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches’ (TABC) boys private school rankings.
J’Mar Franklin paced the Eagles’ scoring attack against University on Saturday, pouring in 18 points, while Evan Levy had 15 points and Jamey Beston added 14 points of his own. Four players scored in double digits for St. Thomas in the Jan. 3 win over Gonzaga Prep headlined by 15 points from Beston, along with 13 points from Jake Pike and 10 points apiece from Shaffer Henderson and Jackson Fazande.
Elsewhere in local private school action, Lutheran North Academy went 2-1 in tournament play Jan. 5-7 to improve to 13-6 on the season ahead of Tuesday’s game against Katy Faith West Academy.
The St. Pius X Panthers (6-13) were idle last week, and are slated to return to action this Friday against Antonian Prep.
In public school action, the Booker T. Washington Eagles have now reeled off six consecutive wins thanks to victories over Mickey Leland College Prep (83-65) on Jan. 6 and Worthing (117-46) this past Monday.
Five players scored in double digits for the Eagles (14-7, 6-1 district) in the win over Worthing led by 27 points from Kenneth Lewis, while Andre Walker dished out 11 assists and Sam Johnson (13 points, nine rebounds) was so strong. Lewis and Odis Carter poured in 20 points apiece against Mickey Leland, and Chris McDermott had another double-double with 18 points and 13 rebounds.
Waltrip has now won four of its last five games following pair of wins last week. The Rams defeated Sam Houston (65-50) on Jan 3 and Galena Park (71-39) on Jan 7 to improve to 7-8 overall and 4-2 in District 9-5A entering a Wednesday night matchup with Sharpstown.
Orion Harvey had 16 points and seven rebounds for the Scarborough Spartans in a 97-29 loss to Yates on Jan. 7, and also added 28 points and 12 rebounds – his fifth double-double of the season – in a 73-54 defeat to Chavez on Jan. 3. The Spartans were 1-14 and 0-5 in district play ahead of Tuesday’s scheduled game against North Forest.
The Heights Bulldogs (9-10, 1-1) were off during the holidays, but will return to action Friday night with a tilt against Westbury.
Girls
Waltrip’s Lady Rams are now winners of two straight games after a 57-13 win over Houston Austin on Jan. 4, moving to 9-5 and 5-3 in District 9-5A ahead Wednesday’s matchup against Milby
Scarborough dropped its only game of the week to Sam Houston on Jan. 4, falling to 0-6 and 0-3 in district play.
The Booker T. Washington Lady Eagles’ recent skid continued, as the Lady Eagles lost both games last week to see their losing streak reach eight games. Booker T. Washington (1-11, 0-3) will next be in action Jan. 20 against Wheatley looking to get back in the win column.
Heights dropped to 5-12 overall and 1-2 in District 18-6A with a loss to Westbury last week, and were slated to face Sam Houston Tuesday night.
On the private school side, the St. Pius X Lady Panthers lost 52-28 to the Village School on Jan. 4 before dropping a 36-24 decision to St. Agnes on Jan. 6, dropping them 1-11 overall and 0- 2 in TAPPS district play.