Boys Basketball Makes First Final Four Appearance in Program History

February 26, 2018

BRYAN, TX -- On Saturday, Feb. 24, the Frassati Falcons Boys Basketball team advanced to the TAPPS State Semifinals, defeating Veritas Academy from Austin, TX 51-45.

The Falcons found themselves down seven at half time, and trailed by as much as nine in the 3rd quarter, but a 14-4 fourth quarter run allowed the Falcons to surge into the lead.

Congratulations to this group! They've worked incredibly hard this season on the #roadtowaco, and now they've made that goal a reality. #FrassatiFalcons

Next up: @TAPPSbiz State Semifinal vs. Our Lady of the Hills on Thursday (3/1) pic.twitter.com/oP96AdcfV6
— Frassati Catholic HS (@FrassatiCHS) February 26, 2018

The Falcons were led by Grant Guidry '20 with 17 points. Matt Jannes '20 had 16 points and Tyler Prihoda '20 had 8 points.

Guidry made two free throws in the final seconds to close out the game. After that, it was a blur.

"I didn't realize it at first. After I made that second free throw, I don't really remember anything, I just remember sprinting across the court and everyone hugging each other, because it's never been done before. This is a huge step for us."

It was an historic win for the program and the team's head coach, Chris Meredith.

"This game was another example that we have learned how to win games even when our shots are not falling," he said. "We had a hard time scoring for most of the game, but we played good enough defensively to keep us close. In the 4th quarter, we picked up our defense even more and were able to get enough baskets on offense when it counted to pull ahead. I am really proud of the team for another great win, and we look forward to the next challenge coming up this Thursday."

Relive the last moments of Saturday's playoff game that clinched the first trip to the @TAPPSbiz Final Four in program history! #roadtowaco #FrassatiFalcons pic.twitter.com/vN0WdUdIaB
— Frassati Catholic HS (@FrassatiCHS) February 26, 2018

It's been quite the ride for the Falcons, a program that is just five years old. Senior Joseph Almond stressed that the team's chemistry and closeness has played a major role in the team's postseason run.

"We've not only grown as a team but each one of us has also grown as a person, and that's what has allowed us to get this far," he said. "When we play together as a team, we can beat teams who are more athletic. Besides just playing smart as a team, I think you're seeing people start to develop friendships and think about each other and moving forward as people outside of basketball, too."

How AWESOME are our #FrassatiFalcons fans?

-Drive to Bryan, TX
-Make it feel like a home game
-Help the team to its first @TAPPSbiz Final Four appearance

They're AWESOME: pic.twitter.com/BIIbfw7dQ2
— Frassati Catholic HS (@FrassatiCHS) February 26, 2018

The TAPPS Semifinal will be played against Our Lady of the Hills High School from Kerrville, TX at Robinson High School in Waco, TX on Thursday, March 1. Tipoff will be at 9 a.m.

To purchase tickets online, visit the link here. Tickets are $7 for students and $12 for adults.

"We have to keep playing the basketball that we've been playing," said Guidry. "We don't always make shots. Saturday we weren't hitting our shots, but we still played team basketball, and that's how we won. We just need to have the same energy we have going into every single game and keep up the momentum."

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About Frassati Catholic High School: Founded in 2013, Frassati Catholic High School serves the families and parishes in the north Houston area of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. Administered by the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia Congregation from Nashville, TN, Frassati Catholic High School prepares students to walk on the path of true happiness through a robust college-preparatory curriculum rooted in the Catholic faith. The school currently serves boys and girls in grades 9-12. For more information about Frassati Catholic High School, contact Kyle Smith, director of communications, at 832-616-3227.