FW Nolan Catholic boys rally past Argyle Liberty, advance to TAPPS final

By Kevin Casas

Special to the Star-Telegram

ARLINGTON — Nolan Catholic’s Michael Sarrat hit the game-winner with a layup in the waning seconds and Michael Hoffman blocked a final Argyle Liberty Christian shot as the Vikings defeated the Warriors 46-45 in a boys TAPPS Class 5A state semifinal game at Mansfield Timberview High School.

Nolan (32-4) advances to play Plano Prestonwood Christian in the state title game at 6 tonight at Mansfield Legacy High School.

Hoffman scored 14 second-half points, and 19 for the game. Liberty Christian’s Jacob Santos had 12 points and forward Luke Kornet also had 12.

The lead changed hands four times in the last two minutes.

Liberty Christian led Nolan 36-35 after three quarters, but Hoffman scored nine points to get the Vikings back in the game.

Liberty Christian got off to a slow start in the first quarter connecting on one of its first seven shots.

But Santos kept the Warriors close in the first quarter before Kornet heated up with two quick 3-pointers in the second quarter.

That kept Nolan off guard as the Vikings struggled, making only 7-of-18 shots in the first half. Four of those baskets were transition layups as Liberty Christian had five turnovers.

Plano Prestonwood boys 55, Plano John Paul II 48: Julius Randle, the second-ranked recruit in the nation according to Rivals, scored 40 points to lead the Lions past the Cardinals in the other 5A statefinal at Timberview.

Randle broke open a tight game with nine fourth-quarter points and two blocks.

Randle, a 6-foot-9 senior forward, said some of his college choices are Kansas, Florida, Kentucky and North Carolina State.

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