Timberview starts fast, ends fast over SA Wagner to capture 2nd state title in 3 years
Mansfield Timberview led 24-11 after the first quarter against Manor during Thursday’s Class 5A state semifinal game at the Alamodome. No one thought the Wolves could top that 8-minute performance.
But the Wolves went on a 20-0 run in the first quarter against San Antonio Wagner and led 29-10 after one during Saturday’s 5A state title game.
“They came out like a ball of fire,” Timberview coach Duane Gregory said. “They shared the ball so well.”
Timberview (38-2) then withstood a fierce second-half rally and avenged a loss in December to beat hometown Wagner, which is 11 miles from the Alamodome, 77-64 and capture its second state title in program history. They won its first in 2017.
“Not everyone gets a chance to be here let alone win it so I’m proud of my teammates,” said Timberview senior Air Force signee Trazarien White, who finished with 11 points, 13 rebounds and 5 assists.
The Wolves, ranked No. 3 in 5A, trailed 3-2 before they started their run. Senior guard CJ Smith, who was named state title game MVP with 24 points, nailed two 3-pointers that forced a Wagner timeout at 17-3.
“I never thought I would see this my senior season and win MVP of the game,” Smith said. “It’s an amazing feeling.”
Senior Rodrigo Soares hit three 3s in the quarter and the Wolves shot 12 of 16 including 4 of 5 from behind the arc in the opening period.
“Almost all of the baskets were great open looks and someone always made that extra pass to a teammate and that started the snow ball,” Gregory said.
Wagner (33-6), No. 2 in 5A, got as close as 12 twice in the second quarter including 37-25 with 2:42 to play after a 3-point play from Ja’Sean Jackson, who scored 8 points. The two teams combined for 6 baskets in the final 75 seconds to send the Wolves into intermission with a 47-33 lead.
“We knew we had to have a good start,” White said. “CJ and Rodrigo hit big-time shots and we got stops.”
The Thunderbirds, who beat Timberview 70-68 at the Whataburger Tournament, trimmed their deficit to 9 and forced the Wolves to call a timeout after Jackson and Isaiah Kennedy drained back-to-back 3s with 5:47 left in the third quarter.
The T-Birds hit their third 3 of the frame to cut it to 8 and got within 6 after three. Jalen Jackson started the fourth with a jumper to cut it to 58-54, but Smith capped off a 5-0 run with a 3-point play with 6:56 to play.
Holding onto that 58-54 lead, the Wolves went on a 19-4 run to pull away.
“I told them to keep their composure. I asked them where their fire was and to settle down. Just get stops on defense and the offense will take care of itself,” Gregory said.
Timberview shot 26 of 54 from the field and 7 of 13 from downtown. Soares scored 13 and Marquiss Childs and Tristan Starks added 10 apiece. Journee Phillips led the T-Birds with 22 points.
“I told them Wagner would have a huge following and that there would be fans that just come every year to watch the games. Just play Timberview basketball and you’ll win every single one of them over and that’s what they did today.”
This story was originally published March 9, 2019 at 5:23 PM.
