The Aubrey Chaparrals basketball team met the Hampton Prep Phoenixes for the bi-district championship on Monday night, with the Chaps dismantling their opponent 80-54.
The Chaps controlled both ends of the floor the entire night, pulling away in the second quarter and cruising to a win in the first round of the playoffs in front of their home crowd.
“I’m proud of them,” head boys basketball coach Kyle Smith said. “A bi-district championship, something like that, is huge for this team.”
The two teams seemed evenly matched, with the Chaps taking the edge 19-11 in the opening quarter.
Aubrey exploded in the second quarter, going on a 25-5 run and sending the two teams into the half with Aubrey leading 4416.
Hampton Prep outscored Aubrey 2013 in the third quarter, but the Chaps regained their footing and pulled away in the fourth quarter, outscoring their opponent 23-18 to hold and win 80-54.
The Chaps, who were already battling injuries, rested their starters for most of the second half, which allowed many of their reserves to get expanded minutes.
Senior small forward Jadin McMoore led the Chaps with 17 points, followed by senior shooting guard Trey Johnson, who scored 15 points, and senior forward Sam Blagg, who added 14 points.
“I felt like my team really needed me in this one,” McMoore said. “I had to prove something, and we wanted to let people know that we’re here, and it’s time for us to go on a big playoff run.”
Johnson, who went three-forthree from behind the arc, credited his strong shooting performance to his belief in himself and his teammates.
“I just felt confident, [and] I tried to do everything I could to help my team win,” he said.
Blagg, who is rounding into form after starting the season with a knee injury, said coming back from injury added an extra layer of motivation.
“After beginning the season with a meniscus tear, every time I get on the court is a blessing,” he said. “… Some kids don’t have the opportunity to get out there and play, so I just try to remind myself of that every time I step on the court and give it my all.”
After the win, Smith said the Chaps are already preparing for No. 12-ranked Kennedale Wildcats.
“Friday is going to be huge,” he said. “[Kennedale] is fast, they’ve got shooters and they’re really good, so we’re going to have to play well. … I hope we’re able to take away the confidence we need to play well and be ready for Friday.”
Aubrey and Kennedale will meet for the Area Championship at 7 p.m. Friday at The Colony High School.
