Faith Academy boys basketball bounces with lopsided wins
CAPTION: All-state sophomore guard Will Slyker had another incredible game in helping the Flames stay within striking distance of another district crown. Staff photo by Jennifer Fierro
After losing to Waco Live Oak 66-50 Jan. 18, the Faith Academy of Marble Falls boys basketball team crushed Temple Central Texas Christian 72-42 Jan. 21 and San Antonio Keystone 72-54 Jan. 24.
Faith (16-10, 6-1) is second in District 4-3A of the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools.
The Flames made their trek to Temple in temperatures that were near freezing. But that didn’t affect their shooting, head coach Zakk Revelle said.
“It was cold outside but warm in the gym,” he said. “I thought they bounced back well after Live Oak. When you score 72, that’s a lot.”
The win against Keystone can be summed up by what all-state sophomore guard Will Slyker did – 41 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists. One big help in rebounding is junior center Judah Phillips.
“Will had a career night,” Revelle said. “I knew he was chasing down balls. During the game we don’t track individual assists and rebounds. After the game, I saw he had 41. I was thinking in my head, ‘He went to rebound a lot.’ Judah tends to clear everyone out. He can box out two people at a time.”
Faith outscored Keystone in every period except the last one when reserves took over.
Live Oak simply began the game on fire, dropping in seven 3-pointers in the first quarter en route to making 13 in the contest.
Though the Flames trailed after the first quarter, the game was tied headed into the final stanza.
“It was one of those situations where they made a run,” Revelle said. “We couldn’t score. We couldn’t seem to find the bottom of the bucket.”
Foul trouble limited the coach’s options on substitutions and once a Flame had five fouls, he was done for the contest. That empowered the Falcons to attack the basket and regain the lead.
Though no team wants to experience a loss, Revelle noted the Flames’ goals are still intact. They’re second in the district standings behind Live Oak, which is 7-0, and will host the Falcons Feb. 7.
But first, the Flames must survive a three-game road trip.
They travel to San Marcos Academy Tuesday, Jan. 28, with the junior varsity playing at 5 p.m. and the varsity to follow. Then the varsity is at Austin San Juan Diego for a 3 p.m. contest Saturday, Feb. 1, and will head south to play at San Antonio Lutheran at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 4.
“We have to take care of business every week,” Revelle said.
