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TEMPLE — The Faith Academy boys basketball team earned its first District 5-2A win of the season Tuesday for the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools.

The Flames (6-12, 1-4) beat Temple Holy Trinity, 50-39. "The biggest thing was we played with intensity the whole time," head coach John Berkman said. "We played really good defense. We were very aggressive defensively as well as offensively in getting to the rim."

Senior forward Dalton Powell led Faith with 18 points and 14 rebounds, but when Holy Trinity decided to put a man on the Flame, senior post Randy Burton took over the scoring, dropping in 10 of his 14 points in the final stanza. He hit seven of 10 free throws. 

"We had some big plays from Randy Burton," the coach said. "We were feeding Randy. That just really helped us down the stretch."

Senior forward Travis Roeder grabbed crucial rebounds, Berkman said, and sophomore guards Brian Freeman, Jason Byrd and Jake Diamond provided important minutes. 

Freeman suffered a leg injury during the football season, but he played the hardwood with confidence, Berkman said. 

"Brian stepped up," he said. "He took care of the ball and was able to distribute the ball. Defensively, he was out front pestering the other point guard and the other guards. Diamond played great defense."

Byrd and junior Casey Clendennen each scored six points.

"We expect all of our guys to score," the Flames skipper said. "We put ourselves in position to score. Guys who haven’t made shots, they’re coming through for us. A lot of good things will start going our way."

The win means the Flames, Kerrville Our Lady of the Hills and Holy Trinity each have the same district record. 

"It gets us in a good way," Berkman said. 

Austin Waldorf is 5-0, while Austin Hill Country is 4-1, and Bulverde Bracken is 3-2. 

The Flames will travel to face Cedar Park Summitt (1-2), 2121 Cypress Creek Road, at 7 p.m. Friday.

 

jfierro@thepicayune.com