UIL Playoffs: Second half surge leads San Antonio Veterans Memorial past Veterans Memorial
SAN ANTONIO — Quentcy Lewis and Veterans Memorial had a variety of reasons to be proud after the Eagles became the first Corpus Christi ISD school to break through to the regional final since 2017 and reach the playoffs seven of the school's eight years of existence.
But all that Lewis could feel on Saturday was the wound of his high school career coming to a close after San Antonio Veterans Memorial surged in the second half to capture a 79-63 win at the Blossom Athletic Center.
"It stings right now but like I said, I love these guys and I wouldn't want it any other way with anybody else on the court," Lewis said. "We knew coming in we had to come out hard, fast and move the ball. That was our game plan."
The Eagles led by as many as seven points in the first half, but the Patriots closed the second quarter on a 9-1 run and outscored Veterans Memorial 49-37 in the second half to secure the win and advance to the UIL Class 5A state tournament.
Lewis, a senior, led the Eagles with a game-best 25 points, including five 3-pointers. Sean Mondragon scored 11 of his 13 points in the fourth quarter and CJ Vela added 10 with a trio of 3-pointers for Veterans Memorial. Gervai Maeweathers led the Patriots with 20 points.
The Eagles' season ends at 27-12 after advancing to the regional final for the first time since 2017. San Antonio Veterans Memorial improved to 36-4 ahead of the state tournament.
"We tried to come out and take the first three minutes of the second half and that's what they did," Veterans Memorial coach Billy White Jr. said of the Patriots' second half push. "They went on a run and it was a scenario where they had a fast start. Those first three minutes of that second half is when they took a four point lead to a double digit lead. I told our guys we had a good game plan, and were able to execute. I was proud of how they battled and fought."
Saturday’s highlights
Veterans Memorial got off to a favorable start behind Quentcy Lewis, who propelled the Eagles to an early seven point lead. Lewis connected on four 3-pointers in the first half to keep the Eagles within striking distance before the Patriots used a 9-1 run to close the first half. CJ Vela cut the San Antonio Veterans lead to one after opening the second half with a 3-pointer, but the Patriots used a 7-0 run to pull away and finished the second half with 49 points and led by as many as 16 points in the fourth. The Eagles came within 10 behind behind Vela and 11 fourth quarter points from Sean Mondragon, but the Patriots pushed the lead back to 17 with less than a minute remaining in the period.
Saturday’s stars
Lewis led the Eagles with 25 points, including five 3-pointers and Mondragon scored 13 in the finale of his freshman campaign. Vela added 10 with a trio of 3-pointers for the Eagles. Gervai Maeweathers led the Patriots with 20 points as the San Antonio Veterans Memorial had four players finish in double figures.
What the coaches said
Veterans Memorial coach Billy White Jr. on the Eagles looking ahead to next season: "We're blessed to have great underclassmen returning. CJ (Vela), (Christian) Greenwood and (Christian) Sabsook. Isaiah Early, who was out all year and some other guys who played JV. Of course we have Sean (Mondragon) and Billy (White III), who will be back as well for their sophomore years after having huge freshman years."
What the players said
Veterans Memorial senior Quentcy Lewis on his four-year playing career with the Eagles: "Everyone here is like family. We've put in a lot of work these past four years and I've been working since eighth grade. This program means a lot to me and it will always feel like home."
Up next
San Antonio Veterans Memorial vs. TBA in a UIL Class 5A state semifinal matchup.
This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Veterans Memorial season ends with loss to San Antonio Vets
