Stony Point boys advance to Class 6A state finals rematch with undefeated Plano East
SAN ANTONIO — The rematch is set.
Stony Point, the state's second-ranked Class 6A basketball team, used a 10-0 scoring run in the final 2:33 of the game to upend Beaumont United 54-46 in a state semifinal thriller Friday night at the Alamodome.
Stony Point (38-1) advances to the 6A championship game at 8:30 p.m. Saturday to face Plano East (39-0). Plano East defeated the Tigers 55-50 in a holiday tournament on Dec. 30, Stony Point's only loss of the season.
In a back-and-forth struggle, United took a 46-44 lead on a 3-point shot by Clarence Payia with 2:33 left in the game. With the United crowd screaming at full throttle, Stony Point responded when Junior Goodlet hit a 3-pointer from the left baseline with 2:18 to go to give the Tigers the lead again.
"The biggest shot of the game," Tigers coach Antoine Thompson said.
That was also the start of Stony Point's final 10-0 scoring burst. Guard Uzziah Buntyn and Villanova-bound forward Josiah Moseley led the Tigers with 19 points apiece. Goodlet finished with nine.
"This was our pursuit of excellence," said Thompson, in his second season. "When our guys face adversity, they find a way to get it done."
Josiah Moseley takes over the game
Stony Point appeared lackadaisical in the first half until Moseley showed why some consider him the best player of the state. United led 19-14 with 4:18 to play in the second quarter, but the 6-foot-8 forward scored 10 points in the final four minutes to give the Tigers a 26-21 lead at halftime.
Moseley showcased his leaping ability with two crowd-pleasing dunks to spark the rally, but he also showed Steph Curry range with a pair of 3-pointers during that span.
Buntyn was a key player early for the Tigers, scoring eight points in the half to keep them within striking distance. He scored 11 more in the second half, giving the Tigers a much-needed weapon in crunch time. Buntyn said the Tigers didn't panic after United took its two-point lead late in the fourth quarter.
"We work on these situations every day during practice," he said. "This is what we do."
A chance to make history
Stony Point, making its first appearance at the state basketball tournament, did not seem pressured. The Tigers played well defensively, holding United to 35.4% shooting from the floor and blocking 11 shots, four by post DaVaughn Hueitt. The Tigers also had 10 steals, four by Goodlet.
Moseley made his impact felt throughout the game, grabbing seven rebounds and blocking three shots. He said the goal in the playoffs was to reach the championship game and play Plano East again.
Both goals have been reached.
"We know what to do when we have games like this," Moseley said. "The coaches really came through for us in the way they prepared us for the game. ... I think everyone is excited about the rematch (against Plano East). This is the game we've been waiting for. We just have to show up and capitalize on it."
Buntyn agreed. "We can't wait for this moment," he said. "We need to take care of business."
Plano East is ready, too
Plano East took care of business, too, beating Mansfield Lake Ridge 61-45. Coach Matt Wester was asked about the rematch with Stony Point.
"That was a fun game to coach because it was such a high-level game," Wester said. "Good players on both sides playing a physical game. It was a back-and-forth game and you knew they were two of the best teams in Texas. The ranking to start the season were (United), us and Stony Point. That's the way it's supposed to work with the two best teams meeting in the end."
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Stony Point boys basketball advances to Class 6A state title game
