Faith Academy boys basketball remains unbeaten in district play

CAPTION: Faith Academy sophomore center Judah Phillips contributed in big ways for the Flames, who won another big district match-up. Photo by Stennis Shotts

The Faith Academy of Marble Falls boys basketball team beat Bryan Brazos Christian 74-60 Jan. 18 to remain undefeated in District 3-3A play of the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools.

“You want to protect your home court,” head coach Zakk Revelle said. “Losses here are a big thing. I’m excited for our guys. They work so hard. Sometimes when you’re young, you look ahead. We want to enjoy the moment and enjoy the win. It’s what makes life worth it.”

The Flames took a 7-0 lead thanks to two 3-pointers and a free throw by sophomore center Judah Phillips that caused the Eagles to call a timeout 80 seconds into the game.

After the timeout, Faith junior guard Asher Apel knocked down a 3-pointer for a 10-0 lead. Brazos matched that with a 7-0 run that ended on an Apel fastbreak bucket for a 14-7 lead with 2:24 left in the quarter. The Flames answered with an 8-2 run to lead 22-9 going into the second period.

The Eagles outscored the Flames 17-10 to trim the deficit to 32-26 at the half.

Faith found Phillips for three buckets to begin the third period though Brazos answered with their own baskets to trail 44-37. The Flames ended the quarter on an 8-3 run highlighted by 3-pointers by sophomore point guard Jase Marshall and freshman guard Will Slyker and Apel free throws.

Both teams answered each other bucket for bucket throughout the final stanza. On a one-minute possession, Slyker ended it with a drive to the hoop for a 62-52 lead with 2:28 left in the contest. Brazos answered with a 3-pointer and called a timeout.

The Flames came out of the timeout and passed to Phillips who was fouled as he made the bucket. He completed the 3-point play to give Faith a 65-55 lead with 1:58 remaining. Then Slyker took over, hitting a field goal and going 6 of 8 from the foul line in the final 76 seconds for the win.

Slyker led with 39 points thanks to scoring five 2-pointers, seven 3-pointers and 8 of 12 from the foul line. Phillips added 19 points, while Marshall dropped in 5, Apel added 4, senior guard Cross Sanchez contributed 3, and senior guard Gabe Lopez finished with 2.

In his postgame locker room huddle, Revelle told his players how pleased he was to see them keep their poise and answer every time Brazos tried to make a run. He commended them for how they handled the pressure and the adversity.

“You faced adversity,” he recalled saying. “They swung; you swung harder. It’s always really good to see. I was really proud of them for handling the adversity and responding to it.”

Revelle said he was especially pleased for Phillips, who didn’t allow the contact to disrupt his concentration to make buckets.

“Judah works so hard,” he said. “The game plan was to get the ball inside. He’s so deserving of a game like that. It’s so cool to see that pay off. He’s getting 3-pointers the old fashion way.”

The coach also singled out Apel, noting the Flame guards the other team’s best player.

“He doesn’t allow their best player to score,” he said. “It felt like (Apel) played and scored way more.”

Revelle complimented the entire line-up, pointing out the win required each Flame to contribute in ways the scorebook didn’t reflect.

“It’s a team effort.”

Faith welcomes Waco Live Oak Saturday, Jan. 20, with the junior varsity playing at noon and the varsity at 2:30 p.m. and Round Rock Christian Tuesday, Jan. 23, with the junior varsity taking the court at 5 p.m. and the varsity at 7:30 p.m.

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