Flames’ win means first appearance in the playoffs in program’s history
CEDAR PARK — A sluggish start didn’t keep the Faith Academy Flames from accomplishing a feat no other boys basketball team at the private Christian school has ever done.
The Flames (9-14, 5-7) defeated Cedar Park Summit 50-26 Feb. 9 to advance to the playoffs.
"It feels really good," head coach John Berkman said. "We’re definitely real excited about making the playoffs for the first time in school history."
The Flames will face San Antonio Lutheran Feb. 14.
Faith trailed 8-4 at the end of the first period but dropped in 17 points in the second to take a 21-10 lead at halftime.
The Flames never fell behind again.
"We were able to do what we wanted," Berkman said. "We crashed the boards hard the entire game. We were able to block shots, we got the rebound and ran the floor."
The players also had a good mental approach to each contest, he said.
"When we play with confidence, we can play with a lot of teams," the coach said.
Junior post Jason Byrd led with 13 points, followed by sophomore forward Reagan Vaughn with nine. Junior guards Brian Freeman and Lucas Wright and senior post Casey Clendennen each added six, and freshman post Hanner Shipley finished with five.