With a new coach, Stony Point aims to repeat as district champ behind All-Centex forward Josiah Moseley

Rick Cantu, Austin American-Statesman
·4 min read
Antoine Thompson takes over as the new varsity basketball coach at Stony Point High School. He spent five seasons as an LBJ assistant before moving to Stony Point as an assistant last year.
Antoine Thompson takes over as the new varsity basketball coach at Stony Point High School. He spent five seasons as an LBJ assistant before moving to Stony Point as an assistant last year.
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ROUND ROCK — Antoine Thompson’s long-term plan at Stony Point is to a build a basketball program that rivals LBJ for playoff success.

Thompson is familiar with the blueprint that makes LBJ a Central Texas high school powerhouse. He was iconic coach Freddie Roland’s chief assistant for five years before he took a job as an assistant at Stony Point last season. After the departure of Stony Point head coach Andrew Page, Thompson was handed a paintbrush and a blank canvas.

“I've always wanted to be in a position of leadership, not only for me but the numerous young Black men who come from East Austin,” Thompson said during a practice break last week. “I believe that God's timing landed me to be here, and for me to continue to embellish the journey and sacrifices myself and family have made.”

The season for most area boys' basketball teams started on Friday — Stony Point played host to St. Michael’s — and the Tigers are eager to defend the District 25-6A championship they earned last season.

Junior forward Josiah Moseley, seen here dunking against Round Rock last season, made the All-Central Texas team in 2021-22. This year he is expected to be a team leader for a Stony Point basketball team that lost several players to graduation.
Junior forward Josiah Moseley, seen here dunking against Round Rock last season, made the All-Central Texas team in 2021-22. This year he is expected to be a team leader for a Stony Point basketball team that lost several players to graduation.

It won’t be easy. Most of the players who helped the Tigers post a 26-9 record have graduated. Stony Point should still make a run for district, though, with the return of 6-foot-7 junior Josiah Moseley, an All-Central Texas forward whose skills are growing faster than his size 17 shoe.

Thompson refers to his team leader as a “humble beast” who improved over the summer while playing for One Time Legends, a club team founded by former NBA superstar Tracy McGrady.

“Josiah truly wants to get better in every facet of the game,” the coach said. “A goal he and I have set is for him to lead Central Texas in points, rebounds and blocks.”

Last season Moseley was among only four Central Texas basketball players who averaged more than 16 points and 10 rebounds a game. He already has several offers to play college basketball, a list that includes UTSA, North Texas, Sam Houston State, Texas-Rio Grande, Texas-Arlington, Richmond and St. Louis University.

More:Lockhart's Jah Gulley, Wimberley's Hayes Pounds head 2021-22 all-Centex boys basketball team

With so many new players on varsity, Moseley is ready to take on a new challenge.

“My role is a lot bigger than it was last year,” Moseley said. “I was the youngest on the team, but now I’m one of the oldest and a lot of the others are looking up to me. It makes it a lot more fun. I won’t say I get to do what I want but everybody plays off of me. I give them open opportunities, I give them open looks. When I step onto the court everybody’s going to be looking at me since I’m one of the tallest players.”

Thompson has torn out an important page from Roland’s old playbook. Roland has always preached that he wants his players to grow into successful men after their playing days are over.

Thompson said it’s faith to give back to the community they represent, and the Tigers have followed that lead. They recently started a campaign to donate canned foods to families that could use the help.

Stony Point coach Antoine Thompson wears his team's 2022-23 motto on his back. At 31, this is his first year as a high school head coach. He previously was an assistant at LBJ for five years.
Stony Point coach Antoine Thompson wears his team's 2022-23 motto on his back. At 31, this is his first year as a high school head coach. He previously was an assistant at LBJ for five years.

“Coach is trying to tell us that some things are even bigger than basketball,” said senior captain Tiki Morin.

At 31, Thompson should have a long career in front of him. Coming off a district championship — the basketball team's first in its 18 years of competition — there is no reason the Tigers cannot repeat. He and his coaching staff wear T-shirts that read “Something To Prove” on the back.

“I believe we have a great shot with this group of men,” Thompson said. “We have an opportunity to be better than the senior-led team last year. The talent of these young men, the passion of the young men and coaches, and most importantly, the commitment to winning will be great for Stony Point Basketball and the community this year.”

Thompson, who was overlooked when Manor and LBJ had head coaching vacancies in recent years, sees a great opportunity at Stony Point, a school with roughly 2,800 students and a large group of aspiring basketball players.

When tryouts started last month, he welcomed 137 players for the school’s varsity, JV and two freshman teams. By contrast, LBJ had about 36 players try out for its three teams in 2021.

“My expectations are really simple,” Thompson said. “Win! Win on the floor, win off the floor while molding exceptional young men, future businessmen and outstanding citizens. The expectation of winning comes with first a district championship, a sequence of playoff wins, and of course bring Round Rock/Austin area its first state championship. Winning is embracing hard, and embracing our adversities.”

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Stony Point boys basketball aims to repeat as district champions