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Some of the stars of 2022-23 BTW Basketball
FOR THE COMMUNITY: Washington Hoops headed to State with fans in tow
A year ago, Washington fell to Silsbee in the Regional Finals (80-74).
As fate would have it this past weekend, the HISD team faced Silsbee in the very same game. Only this time, Washington flipped the script in the rematch by a score of 78-70 -- to punch their ticket to the UIL-4A State Tournament.
“This year couldn’t come quick enough after that heartbreaking loss to Silsbee last year,” said coach Vincent Grayson. “Playing them again was like a dream come true. We were hoping that they [Silsbee] would keep winning, as we did. It all played out just how we thought it would and it feels so good. We didn’t want it any other way this year, and now we’re headed to State.”
BTW's Chris McDermottJustin Hartojo (VYPE)
It’s no secret that this team is talented, considering they’ve showcased their ability in numerous tournaments throughout the season, including the VYPE Annual Invitational, which BTW won.
The Golden Eagles, with the three-headed monster of 6-foot-7 junior guard Chris McDermott (19 PPG, 12 RPG), junior guard Odis Carter Jr. (18 PPG, 4 SPG) and senior forward Kenneth Lewis (20 PPG, 4 RPG), now have the opportunity to represent H-Town in the State Final Four. They want to win it all.
“I experienced this feeling [going to State] 25 years ago at Waltrip High School as an assistant coach,” said Grayson. “Now, I’m experiencing it as a head coach, which makes it even more special. But, we want to close the deal. We know it will be tough and nothing comes easy.”
BTW's Kenneth LewisJustin Hartojo (VYPE)
This postseason marks the first time BTW hoops have competed in the State Tournament. With all the hype surrounding this team, the importance of this moment isn’t lost on Grayson, who is in his 20th year at the school, and his 16th as the head coach.
However, this season might just be the most historic.
“The title would mean more to the community, the school and the team -- in that order,” Grayson said. “This community has been waiting for a long time to cheer about something, so we hope we can make that happen for them.”
Booker T. Washington will face Boerne on Friday, at the Alamodome in San Antonio. Two more wins and the Houston team will be immortalized in UIL Basketball history.
Andre Walker II
Booker T. Washington B-Ball wins the Vype Invitational
THE WRAP: Booker T. Washington earns VYPE Holiday Invitational title
The Championship Game between Pearland Dawson and Booker T. Washington (founded in 1893) did not disappoint as the Eagles won the final 70-55.
Chris McDermott wins the MVP Award of the tournamentMatthew Ogle (Vype)
Leading the way for the Eagles was junior forward Chris McDermott, who earned MVP honors for his dominant performance throughout the tournament and Title Game. BTW junior guard Odis Carter Jr. (who earned a spot on the All-VYPE Tournament Team) and senior guard Davion Smith, had nothing but praise for their teammate.
“He [McDermott] adds so much to the team,” said Carter. “Our whole game revolves around Chris. We [the team] gamble up front on defense to make big plays and know he’s always there to help us on defense.”
“Chris is just dominant, all-around,” said Smith. “He can shoot, dribble and make the right play at the big moments. He gets everybody where they need to be. He’s our baseline-to-baseline leader.”
McDermott dunks off of the alley-oop from Andre Walker IIMatthew Ogle (Vype)
Winning the tournament is a big step for Washington. The talent this team showcased on the hardwood will only bolster their confidence and chemistry as they prepare for district play and beyond.
“It [BTW’s tournament win] means a lot since we started off the season slow,” said senior guard Aiden Walker II. “We wanted this tournament to pick up our play by playing the good teams that we did. Our chemistry and our team play is picking up at the right moment. So, going into the second half against the district with this win is big.”
A special thanks to Aldine ISD for hosting the third-annual event along with our sponsors. Daspit Law Firm was the title sponsor of the holiday tournament.
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TOURNAMENT MVP
Chris McDermott, Booker T. Washington
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THE ALL-VYPE FIRST-TEAM
Keanu Dawes, Stratford
Montana Wheeler, Houston Christian
Qasim Boyd, Dickinson
Jaden Miller, Pearland Dawson
Odis Carter Jr, Booker T. Washington
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THE ALL-VYPE SECOND-TEAM
Kendick Bailey, Pearland Dawson
Kenneth Lewis, Booker T. Washington
Javarius Thompson, Nimitz
Carter Seeliger, Houston Christian
Nick Brashear, The Woodlands Christian Academy
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HONORABLE MENTION
Zion Little, Dickinson
Eric Woods, Nimitz
Kai’ree Murray, Fort Bend Bush
Arlind Konjuhi, Cy Fair
Chanler Williams, Klein Forest
Cameron Cronin, Stratford