Arlington Grace Prep fails to overcome injuries, falls in TAPPS 5A state championship
Missing two of its top players due to injury was too much to overcome as the short-handed Arlington Grace Prep Lions fell, 65-47, to No. 1-ranked Houston Second Baptist Eagles, in the TAPPS 5A Boys state championship contest Saturday at Robinson High School.
Senior Drew Smith suffered a broken ankle in the 71-49 Area round win over Bishop Dunne and missed the remainder of the playoffs.
Then, in the 87-49 Regional round victory over Bishop Dunne, freshman standout MJ Boyd -- the team’s leading scorer -- was injured.
“MJ played one minute in the semifinal round game, and just could not continue,” said head coach Josh Duke. “Missing those two guys hurt, but I am very proud of the guys who stepped up.”
No. 4-ranked Grace Prep was able to withstand those injuries in the 52-36 semifinal triumph over Austin Brentwood, but facing top-ranked Houston Second Baptist presented a different challenge.
“Things happen you cannot control,” said coach Duke of the injuries. “Feel bad for those guys. But others stepped up.”
One of those who elevated his play was sophomore Amari Coleman, who recorded a team-high 15 points in the championship game.
“Amari was our sixth man during the season,” added Duke. “And he did a tremendous job of stepping up.”
Grace Prep (25-6) led once, at 7-5 after a three-pointer by senior Oakley Sarshar. On its next possession, Second Baptist regained the lead, one it never relinquished, on a trey by sophomore Reese Alston.
Down 13-10 after the opening quarter, Grace Prep was outscored 16-7 in the second period, which left a 29-17 deficit at intermission.
Junior Jaiden Lowe added 11, and Sarshar contributed nine, and along with Coleman, were selected to the all-tournament team.
Grace Prep, which moved up to 5A from 4A this season, was making its 13h state tourney appearance, winning five state crowns (2022, ‘19, ‘12. ‘11, ‘02).
The Lions were the 2024 4A TAPPS state runner-up, falling to Houston St. Thomas Episcopal in overtime.
Houston Second Baptist (33-4) was led by sophomore Reese Alston, who tallied a game-high 20 points, while junior Shia Francis added 15, as the Eagles captured their fourth state championship, making 10 Final Four appearances.