VYPE U: Langham Creek Tops Aldine in Three Point Shootout in Holiday Hoops Classic

The 2019 VYPE-Aldine ISD Holiday Hoops Classic Presented by the United States Marine Corps most likely had its biggest game of three point shooting Friday morning at the M.O. Campbell Educational Center in a game between the Langham Creek Lobos and the Aldine Mustangs. Both teams showed their marksmanship from the three point line as Laterrius Winters (6) of Aldine and RJ Crawford (8) of Langham Creek, could not miss. In the end, Langham Creek came out on top sealing the win late in the game, 64-58.

The first quarter was a back and forth game. Aldine's Draylon Haynes hit a three pointer to open up the game, which was later followed by Winters's first three that would allow the Lobos to go up 8-5. The Lobos tied the game back up at ten, and then later took their first lead of the game 14-13 with under a minute left in the first quarter. The first quarter had a very smooth style of play between both teams, with few fouls. Aldine led Langham Creek at the end of the first quarter 15-14.

Winters caught his groove in the second quarter and led the Mustangs in scoring. He hit his second three of the game to go up 26-19. He went on to shoot two more threes late in the second quarter, including one at the buzzer that gave Aldine a halftime lead of 34-29.

The third quarter was the RJ Crawford show. Down by six points, Crawford hit a three to cut the deficit in half. Crawford followed that up by making two more three pointers: one to tie the game and one to take the lead 43-40. Langham Creek finished the third quarter ahead 52-47. Crawford finished the quarter with six three pointers and scoring twenty of the Lobos' twenty-three third quarter points.

Aldine was able to tie the game back up at 56 in the fourth quarter when Draylon Haynes stole the ball off of an inbounds pass and put it back up for the score. Despite this, the Mustangs were not able to hold on as Langham Creek's JJ Renchie made a go-ahead three pointer to take the lead 59-56. With just seconds left in the game, the Lobos were able to seal the win when Paul Oyewale made an offensive putback from down low, got fouled, and made his free throw, putting the Lobos up by six. Langham Creek went on to win the game 64-58.

In the battle of three point shooting, Langham Creek's twelve made three pointers compared to Aldine's seven was the difference. Crawford's ability to shoot the ball was more advantageous to the Lobos as they were able to pull out the win.

Langham Creek will move on to the winner's bracket to play Manvel, while Aldine will play Fort Bend Christian Academy in the Consolation Bracket. The championship game for the Holiday Hoops Classic will be help at the M.O. Campbell Educational Center at 4:30 on Saturday, December 28, 2019.