GAMES
RANKINGS
VYPE U: LASA Clips Eagles Wings In Impressive Win
In the early evening of a beautiful Austin day, the LASA Raptors and the Acton Eagles prepared for tip-off in the second game of their preseason. As both teams transitioned from their pregame routines to the final preparations, you could tell the players were itching to get the game started, and they got their wish after a few minutes of difficulties. The refs called the starting 5s for each team onto the court and the first whistle was blown as the ball was thrown in the air, signaling the start of the game.
The Raptors started strong on an 11-0 run to open up the game as they drained shot after shot, forcing Acton's coach to call an early timeout. However, the timeout did little to stop LASA's momentum as they continued their dominance, scoring at will with awesome half court and transition offense, creating major advantages on both the offensive and defensive boards, while playing suffocating defense on the other end of the court, holding the Eagles to 2 points through the first half. When the buzzer sounded at the end of the half, the Raptors had more than a 35 point advantage over the Eagles.
The second half started and the entire energy of the game shifted. The Eagles came out with a new purpose, they were aggressive on both sides of the ball and seemed like a different team altogether. They turned what felt like could be a 70 point blowout into a game that had a competitive second half. The Raptors still had control throughout the game and played a great second half, but the game just had a different feel to it. However, the Raptors still won the second half, adding to their already healthy lead, and when it was all set and done the Raptors finished the game in a dominant fashion, winning the contest 61-16.
Overall, the Raptors played an amazing game. They were able to get to the paint at will and control the pace of the game. They scored from the 3, the mid-range, and the paint at extremely high levels while playing outstanding defense during the game. LASA is a well-oiled machine, and it showed.
For Eagles fans, the second half of this game should give you a lot of hope. In a game where they were missing their best player, the Eagles were able to keep pace with a good Raptors team. Additionally, the development from the last game to this game was significant, even if the score did not reflect it. If the Eagles can realize their potential, we saw today that they will be scary come playoff time.
After the game, both teams showed great sportsmanship as they both formed lines and congratulated the opposing team on a game well played. Then, just as soon as the two teams filled the court, they left it.
VYPE U: Is Acton Bound for a Third Championship Appearance?
The Acton Academy Eagles Basketball team, led by Coach Ben Bazan and Chris Fisher, have made the TAIAO Division II State Championship in each of the past two years, coming within 10 points of victory in both games. However, since their first appearance in 2020, the Eagles have lost all of their starters and only have three players still on the team from that first run. This raises the question: do the Eagles have the talent to make a third straight finals run this upcoming season. The best player and younger of the two team captains, Ian Watson-Hemphill, seems to think so.
In our interview, Ian said that the team will continue to progress as it has in past years and that will allow them to achieve a third consecutive trip to state. Additionally, he believes the change in the team's tactics from a more free-flowing style, to a more structured playbook, will help the team stay disciplined and on task throughout the game. When asked what the key to victory would be for the team next year, the captain responded by saying the ability to stay consistent and keep runs to a minimum will propel the team to elite status.
Starting small forward Donovan O'Leary shared his captain's sentiment, stating that if team chemistry and energy continue to improve as they have the past few seasons, then the team will be in as good of a position, if not better, than last year. Donovan added that he believes the work the new team captains are putting in to bring the team closer will also lead to an increase in trust next year.
Last year's team captain Luca Celestino seemed a little more skeptical of the team's chance for another championship game appearance, pointing out that the team's talent is as low as it has been in a long time, and a lot of the players on the team next year are early in their development. However, Luca then added that he believes if the starters scoring output increases as well as the overall assist rate, then the team could make another run.
This team's success will be decided on the defensive side of the ball as all five players that will start for the Eagles can guard multiple positions with the older of the two team captains, Patrick O'Leary, able to guard one through five at an elite level, demonstrated by the fact that when he was guarding the best players from UME Prep in the championship game, he only allowed two points. Additionally, the superb paint defense Ian provides at the center position and the overall intelligence of the team will allow them to run a variety of defenses during a game.
The Acton Academy Eagles truly have a chance to make a third straight championship game, cementing its place as a Division 2 powerhouse, despite having an enrollment of under 25 students. For that to happen, though, both two-way star Ian Watson Hemphill and defensive maestro Patrick O'Leary will have to show superb leadership and the team will have to bond like few at this level have done before. If there is a team that can do it, I believe this team can. In the end, only time will tell, and I can't wait to see what story will be painted.