Thursday, April 25, 2024
On March 11, Lipan High School’s boys basketball squad matched what the school’s girls team had done on March 4 — earning a Class 2A state championship with a 50-46 victory over LaRue LaPoynor. Pictured during Saturday’s trophy presentation and celebration in San Antonio are, from left, senior Korrie Massey (15), junior Tyson Tarpley (0), and seniors Cole Reynolds (24), Tripp Phillips (22) and Garrett Smith (23). Smith was named Most Valuable Player of the state championship game.
Lipan High School’s basketball program has had a plethora of success in its history.
But one thing they had not accomplished — before this year — was winning both the boys and girls state championships in the same season.
They have now. A week after the Lady Indians captured a Class 2A state title, the Indians hoisted their own trophy with a 50-46 victory over fellow perennial power Larue LaPoynor in the championship game Saturday, March 11 at the Alamodome in San Antonio.
This is Lipan’s fifth boys state championship in 14 state tournament appearances – the Indians’ first since 2018. LaPoynor also has five in its 11 appearances.
"It's awesome. It's been a goal for the last (three) years. Just to have my mom there was special," said Indians senior point guard Tate Branson, whose sister Taylor, is a guard for the Lady Indians. Also, his mom, Amber Branson, is the Lady Indians head coach.
Also like his sister a week earlier, Branson was named to the All-State Tournament Team.
"We told each other last weekend we were going to get the job done," Tate added.
"In my opinion the two best teams made it where they should be," Indians head coach Brent Gaylor said. "I thought all along us and LaPoynor were the top two teams in the state."
The Indians (38-1) found themselves trailing 46-43 after the Flyers (33-8) converted a three-point play with 3:11 to play. Those turned out to be the Flyers' final points of the season as Lipan ended with a 7-0 run.
The Indians regained the lead for good on a three-point play with 44 seconds left by Garrett Smith, who was named Most Valuable Player of the championship game. Smith would seal the victory with two free throws with three ticks remaining.
Smith led all scorers in the game with 21 points.
Gaylor said at that point he told his team, "We've got the lead. We've just got to make one final defensive stand and clinch it."
In fact, over the final 3:11, the Flyers managed a single shot, a missed three-point attempt late. Lipan also forced two turnovers in that span.
"I knew we needed a bucket. Tripp (Phillips) made a phenomenal pass," Smith said. "I said at the timeout, "Let's go out and execute, and that's what we did.
"We weren't going to lose. I had it in my head I was going to make the shot, just getting fouled was even better."
In fact, Gaylor had the same message for his team after the Flyers went on a 14-6 third-quarter run to pull within 38-33.
"I said, 'Guys, we are going to win this game. We're too good a team to come this far and not do it,'" he said. "When they started saying it that's when I was like, 'All right, we're in good shape now. They're believing."
The victory was exceptionally sweet for the Indians after losing only once all of last season — to Clarendon in the championship game. This same group of players who are seniors now also lost in the semifinals two years ago.
"Our motto all year long has been 'Can't leave without it,' and I'm happy to say these guys ain't leaving without it," Gaylor said.
A big difference in the game was free throws. Lipan hit 13 of 20 and LaPoynor was 4-of-7.
"There's no better feeling than right now," Smith said. "The amount of hours that we spent at the gym, all the hard work, all the long practices, us sitting in the locker room an hour after practice talking about what we wanted to do — win a state championship.
"Coming up short the last two years just made us work harder. Now we can say we've done it and it feels awesome."
Semifinals
Lipan 52, New Home 44
The Indians took an 11-2 lead after the opening quarter and retained control throughout en route to a return to the finals.
Phillips led Lipan with 19 points.
While New Home (31-8) hit more three-pointers (5-3) and more free throws (7-of-9 against 5-of-10), Lipan had a commanding 19-11 advantage on two-pointers to help overcome a 7-4 turnover deficit. The Indians also controlled the boards with a 29-25 rebound advantage.
"One of the things I put on the board before the game was 'rebound,'" Gaylor said. "New Home is good on the boards, especially offensively (New Home had an 11-5 advantage)."
Entering the game New Home was rebounding around 40% of its own missed shots in the postseason.
Lipan led 49-33 before New Home went on an 8-0 run to pull within eight with 1:17 left in the game. The Indians clamped down on defense at that point.
Class 2A Boys State Basketball Tournament
March 10-11
Alamodome, San Antonio
Semifinals
Lipan 52, New Home 44
New Home 2 12 12 18 — 44
Lipan 11 8 20 13 — 52
Lipan scoring: Tripp Phillips 19, Reese Cook 10, Tate Branson 10, Garrett Smith 8, Cole Reynolds 5.
Lipan rebound leaders: Cook 9, Phillips 8, Smith 7.
Lipan assist leaders: Smith 4, Phillips 3, Branson 3.
Lipan steals leader: Branson 3.
Lipan blocked shots leader: Phillips 3..
Championship
Lipan 50, LaRue LaPoynor 46
LaPoynor 10 9 14 13 — 46
Lipan 21 11 6 12 — 50
Lipan scoring: Smith 21, Cook 9, Branson 9, Phillips 7, Korey Massie 2, Darius Steed 2.
Lipan rebound leaders: Cooks 6, Branson 5, Reynolds 4.
Lipan assists leader: Branson 6.
Lipan steals leader: Smith 2.
Lipan blocked shots leader: Phillips 1.
