Faith Academy boys basketball team beats San Juan Diego

CAPTION: Jase Marshall was the catalyst in leading the Flames in scoring for another lopsided victory. Photo by Stennis Shotts

The Faith Academy of Marble Falls boys basketball team crushed Austin San Juan Diego 76-30 Jan. 13 in District 4-3A play of the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools.

“We were happy to come away the way that we did, we were happy to be able to play everybody and for us, it was more of a get-right game,” Faith head coach Zakk Revelle said. ‘We didn’t think that we played well at all against (San Antonio Keystone) and then we didn’t have a game for the rest of the week. That game (against San Juan Diego) for us was very beneficial to get back on track.”

The Flames, who are ranked No. 2 in the latest Class 3A private schools poll of the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches, led 22-12 after the first quarter and 50-23 at halftime. They allowed a total of seven points in the second half with a running clock since Faith led by at least 40 points.

Revelle said he was pleased with the Flames’ defensive efforts.

“Our defense didn’t drop off,” he said. “And so for us to hold them to that in the second half and get back on track defensively headed into our game (against San Antonio) Lutheran (was good). But I think that ultimately, I would say it was more about us and us getting back to being Faith Academy, and so we were happy that we were able to do that.”

He commended freshman Colt Mason, who has split time with the junior varsity and varsity. The coach said the freshman was told he “was going to have to wait your turn” before making the jump to the top team.

“Colt Mason is pound for pound one of if not our best on-ball defender and he did a really good job,” he said. “He guarded their best player the whole time he was in, and he did a really good job. You love to see that as a coach because it’s always good when you get into district when you feel like there’s still room to improve, we could still get better. But now we have more pieces.” 

Senior guard Jase Marshall scored 15 points followed by sophomore guard Jadyn Jenkins with 12, senior center Judah Phillips added 10, and sophomore Hudson Tatum and freshman John Riley each scored seven.  

“It wasn’t just one guy,” Revelle said. “We got to play everybody. It was a complete team effort, offensively as well as defensively.” 

The other benefit to playing San Juan Diego? Going to a full day of classes and playing in a triple header with the Lady Flames and the Flames junior varsity where Revelle’s varsity competed in the nightcap that included the national anthem and announcing the starting lineup.

“All of those things to me play a role psychologically in the game, and so for us to be able to have all of that because mentally you have to sit through that, get ready for that,” Revelle said. “And so we were happy to come away with the win, one step closer to our goal of making the playoffs and then it’s anybody’s trophy to win at that point.” 

Faith turns its attention to a road trip to San Antonio Lutheran Thursday, Jan. 15, with the junior varsity playing at 4:30 p.m., the Lady Flames at 6 p.m. and the varsity 7:30 p.m.

Then the Flames host Waco Live Oak Saturday, Jan. 17 with the junior varsity playing at noon, the Lady Flames at 1:30 p.m. and the varsity at 3:30 p.m.

Live Oak is ranked No. 1 in the Class 3A private schools poll of the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches.

CAPTION: Faith Academy’s Hudson Tatum continues to force opponents to guard him thanks to his ability to drive to the basket or hit outside jumpers. Photo by Stennis Shotts