San Antonio, TX-

A three-pointer by junior guard AJ Aungst at the 4:50 mark in the final period would make it a 45-42 deficit, and despite frigid shooting, Atascocita was one possession from tying it up.

You could feel the Westlake faithful tighten up and the next few possessions were going to decide the Chaps fate. On the ensuing possession, KJ Adams would calmly hit two free throws after drawing a foul deep in the paint, and he’d follow that up with another in close lay-up that he’d bank in, giving Westlake a little breathing room, 49-42, with 3:55 to play.

The remainder of the game saw a combo of Westlake’s defense, the Eagles inability to hit from outside, and critical buckets in the paint by Preston Clark and Adams, to help the Chaps lock up the win. They held Atascocita to only two points the rest of the way. Westlake would close the contest on a 12-2 run and secure the school’s first ever trip to the 6A State Title game, 57-44.

Westlake Head Coach Bonifacio Lucero talked about the vital 4th quarter where his team showed resiliency, and although they bent, they did not break.

“We needed to do a better job of trying to get through some of those screens and the guys did a good job of switching it to take some of those threes away. I tried to lift them and you have to move KJ (Adams) around because people focus on him so much. Once we got the defense lifted a little bit and he was able to get to the rim, get fouled and get some drop off passes. We got control back of the tempo a little bit. Then we did a better job of finishing out the game.”

For the contest, Atascocita would have their hands full with the taller post players of Westlake. Adams had a game high 21 points and 4 boards. While Clark added a critical 11 points and 7 rebounds.

At the break, Westlake held it’s largest lead of the night, 12 points, when Eain Mowat would connect on one of his three treys in the first half, from the left wing. He had 11 points at the break and finished with 13 for the game. His shooting was a big part in the Chaps advantage at the break.

“KJ and Mo, they both can get a shot off every time down the floor. Because their team first guys they do what the team needs. Sometimes the team needs Mo to be the point guard, and then sometimes we need him to get shots on the backsides. Whatever the team needs, he does,” said Lucero.

Atascocita finishes the 2020-2021 campaign with an overall mark of 24-3 and were led by senior guard, Tom Hart III, with 16 points in the loss.

Westlake will march into the Alamodome with a 30-1 overall record and will face off with Duncanville HS for the 6A crown. It will serve as a must see rematch from earlier in the season, where the Panthers handed Westlake their only loss, 77-67.

The Chaps have had a storied history of talented hoopers (Chris Mihm, Brad Buckman, Luke Axtell, Cody Doolin, Matt Mayer, Will Baker, Brock Cunningham, Keonte Kennedy) come through their gyms, but they will seek their first ever basketball State Title, in their first ever championship appearance. It’s a daunting task that has the Chaps full attention. Westlake is playing with poise and a cool demeanor. It’s that type of confidence that could go a long way on Saturday night, and could result in history.

The 6A State UIL Championship will tip off at 7 p.m. on Saturday evening, in downtown San Antonio, at the Alamodome.