Faith Academy boys basketball loses to Westbury in the playoffs
CAPTION: Faith Academy of Marble Falls sophomore center Judah Phillips and Flames gave Houston Westbury Christian all it wanted in the second round of the Class 3A playoffs. Photo by Stennis Shotts
The Faith Academy of Marble Falls boys basketball team lost to Houston Westbury Christian 64-50 Feb. 20 in the second round of the Class 3A playoffs of the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools.
“They played well enough to win,” Flames head coach Zakk Revelle said. “We felt like we played well enough to win for about 28 minutes. Major credit to coach Russell Carr. They’re a 22-time state champion for a reason. They’ve gone to 40 Final Fours. It wasn’t by accident.”
The Flames (24-11, 10-2 District 3-3A champions) had a one-point lead after the first quarter and led by 1 at the intermission. The Wildcats had a two-point advantage going into the final quarter.
Westbury went on an 8-0 run that defined the fourth period. In an effort to save time, the Flames began to foul though the Wildcats only attempted a total of six free throws. They made five. Westbury junior guard Weston Scott led his team with 29 points.
“It’s not often you’re the underdog in your own gym,” Revelle said. “They’re No. 2 in (the TAPPS Class 3A poll by the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches), and we’re No. 7. The kids played so hard and gave such a great effort. We walked out with nothing but pride.”
Revelle laughed when reminded of what was said at the beginning of the season, that the Flames were young and rebuilding.
“We appreciated the bulletin board material,” he said. “We felt like we weren’t in a rebuild; we were reloading. In a season where we won the district championship and hosted a playoff game, we’ll take that every time. It’s one of those goals. That’s usually the sign of a good team.”
The program says goodbye to seniors Micah Anderson, Gabe Lopez, Ben Tatum and Cross Sanchez. All four are moving on to other sports.
“We’re extremely grateful to them,” Revelle said. “Those four guys did what we asked them to. They know they always have a place with Faith basketball. I’m thankful their families allowed us to be apart of their journey in life. It’s bittersweet to see them go. And it has to happen every year.”
But the Flames have plenty returning led by freshman guard Will Slyker, who dropped in 35 points during the loss to Westbury, junior guard Asher Apel, and sophomores Jase Marshall and Judah Phillips.
“That group that’s coming back is very unsatisfied with how it ended,” the coach said. “They got a taste of what it feels like to be on top. I feel like I’m a better husband, father and coach because of this team. They allowed me to be myself, to coach them hard and coach them in the way that I know how.”
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