For a team that had led nearly every minute of its three previous playoff games, this certainly was new territory. The Lions trailed almost the whole way, scrapping to keep themselves within striking distance.
But unable to close the gap, sixth-ranked CTCS’ dream of a state championship ended with a 60-53 loss to second-ranked Kingwood Northeast Christian in a TAPPS Class 2A semifinal Friday night at Fort Worth Nolan.
The Lions ended the most successful season in program history, which included the first state tournament appearance and a second straight perfect district record, at 25-4.
Northeast Christian (29-10) advanced to today’s championship game against No. 7 Sherman Texoma Christian.
The loss was just CTCS’ second against private school competition in the last two seasons.
“We just kept going and kept going,” CTCS coach Nuni Venegas said. “We just couldn’t get over the hump.”
What hurt the Lions the most was an uncharacteristically cold shooting night. CTCS made 33 percent of its shots in the first half and never heated up in the second half, making just 23 percent. The Lions finished at 28 percent and made only three 3-pointers.
“The ball didn’t go in, especially when we needed it,” said senior Clay Crews, who scored a game-high 27 points.
Northeast Christian snared control with an 11-2 run late in the second quarter behind a flurry of baskets by guard Brandon Trower and center Austin Lilley. That run propelled the Warriors to a seven-point halftime lead. CTCS didn’t get closer than four in the second half.
“We had a couple chances and we made some runs,” Crews said. “But we just couldn’t capitalize.”
Each time CTCS tried to cut into the deficit, the Warriors got key baskets from Trower to steal the momentum. Trower was tough to contain off the dribble, knifing through the lane for 16 of his team-high 25 points in the first half. He also scored the Warriors’ final three points at the free throw line, holding off the Lions in the final seconds.
“He’s the best player that we’ve faced, by far,” Venegas said.
Northeast Christian also got 12 points from Lilley and 11 points from forward Austin Cornay, who both helped the Warriors get numerous second-chance shots by pulling down 14 offensive rebounds.
“We got beat by a good team,” Crews said. “We didn’t beat ourselves.”
Crews nearly willed the Lions into the lead, scoring 15 of the team’s 27 second-half points. He scored six straight to bring CTCS within five with 3:13 left. A pair of free throws by Brent Reynolds, who scored seven points despite playing with a twisted ankle, cut the deficit to four with 2:09 remaining.
But CTCS made just one basket, a 3-pointer by Scott Rizvi, the rest of the way.
The Lions got seven points each from seniors Nash Ingram and Jordan Togami and five from Rizvi.
“We didn’t plan to lose today,” Venegas said. “I’m proud of my guys. They played great all season. They have nothing to hang their heads about."
rschneider@temple-telegram.com
