Faith Academy boys basketball adds win against Lago Vista to tourney trophy
The Faith Academy boys basketball team defeated Lago Vista 57-45 Dec. 6, days after capturing the consolation championship of the Grand Saline tournament Dec. 2-3.
“They do a good job of valuing possessions,” Faith head coach Zakk Revelle said of his players. “Ultimately, that’s good for us. Defensively, we got them to take shots they didn’t want to take or they got impatient. And it worked in our favor.”
Revelle noted the Flames had a 20-point lead against the Vikings at one point during the contest.
“We let off the gas a little bit,” he said. “This group is good defensively. We wanted to play defense and get stops. We have so much size and length that we’re toying with. I see what works and what doesn’t.”
The Flames began the Grand Saline tournament with a loss to Brownsboro, a Class 4A member, 52-19 and bounced back to beat Gilmer, a Class 4A member, 40-33 and Pilot Point 48-41. Faith senior Brock Davis scored 36 points against Pilot Point, while senior Will Lewis had about seven assists to Davis.
Revelle summed up the tournament in one play. Sophomore Asher Apel threw in a loose ball that’s going out of bounds. Gilmer, however, got the ball, but senior guard Diego Chavira stole it back and passed to Davis, who dunked it for the basket.
The coach said he enjoyed the Flames celebrating the moment with the senior.
While Davis continues to pace the Flames in scoring, he’s getting help from senior Elijach Blackington, Chavira and Lewis.
Chavira and Lewis are helping to shoulder the offense, while Blackington has made his presence felt on both ends of the floor, Revelle said.
“Elijah has done a good job for us of playing his role,” he said.
Freshman Judah Phillips, who is 6 feet and 7 inches, is a force, especially defensively.
“Judah has been a monster for us on defense,” Revelle said. “He makes everyone alter their shots and makes them think.”
The best part of coaching this team?
“They really do love each other, and they don’t care who scores,” Revelle said. “Diego, when he’s on the bench, he’s talking to the guys about the game.”
The Flames travel to play at Yavneh Academy in Dallas, which ranked No. 4 in the Class 3A poll of the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools, for a 7 p.m. tip-off Saturday, Dec. 10. Faith is ranked No. 8 in the same poll. The two squads played each other in a regional final years ago. Yavneh Academy prevailed.
“If we see each other again (this season), it’ll be in the state championship,” Revelle said.
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