By Thomas Jones, Sports Editor 

LAKEWAY – What a difference a month makes.

Almost four weeks after stumbling into their new era with a 15-point loss to Lake Travis, the Chaps returned to that same court and flaunted their growing confidence with an 85-45 shellacking of San Antonio Jay in Friday’s first-round matchup at the Hill Country Classic. Westlake dropped its second-round game in a surprising setback to Vista Ridge, but the team rebounded with wins over Cedar Park and St. Stephen’s and enters the holiday break at 14-3.

“And that’s a great place to be,” first-year Westlake coach Tres Ellis said. “The first part of the season (nondistrict) has been better than I could have hoped, and I think the team is ready to carry that into district.”

The Chaps’ win over Jay emphasized how quickly they have embraced Ellis’ up-tempo attack. Jay, a proud program that won the Class 5A state championship in 2002, could not keep up with a Westlake team that made nine three-pointers, 16 of 21 free throws and outrebounded the Mustangs 52-32. 

“We’ve come a long way, and the guys are having fun,” Ellis said. “Today was a perfect example of what we want to do. Everyone got good minutes, the guys are shooting confidently, and we’re attacking the rim.”

Westlake began both halves in attack mode, reeling of an 11-0 run to start the game and extending a 45-16 halftime lead to 58-16 in the first four minutes of the second half. 

Cody Doolin led the team with 19 points, and Chris King added 15 points. Eight other Chaps scored as Ellis reached deep into his bench for quality minutes.

“We’re really playing as a team now,” post Gus Leeper said. “We’re trusting each other now, passing the ball and getting some good looks.”

Leeper had seven points but did the bulk of his damage on defense.  He had a season-high seven blocks and pulled down six rebounds despite sitting out for much of the second half.

Ellis credited the play of Leeper and forwards Carl Meyertons (11 rebounds, eight points) and Jeremy Cox (six rebounds, five points) for helping clean up on the glass.

“That really was the big difference,” he said. “We dominated the boards.” 

The Chaps couldn’t carry the energy from their win over Jay into Friday’s second game against Vista Ridge. The Rangers avenged an earlier 52-point loss to Westlake with a 58-55 win that knocked the Chaps into the loser’s bracket. Doolin had 22 points in the loss, and Cliff Houston added 13 points.

Doolin had 19 points in a 56-35 win over Cedar Park Saturday. Meyertons added 13 points, and Leeper chipped in nine points.

Reserve guard Keaton Lancashire capped a strong tournament with 10 points in a 71-44 win over St. Stephen’s Saturday. Doolin and Houston each poured in 17 points to lead all scorers.

 

News and notes

Forward Connor Kemper will miss the next few weeks with an injury suffered in the San Antonio tournament two weeks ago. Westlake coach Tres Ellis said he hopes to have the 6-5 Kemper back by the District 25-5A opener against Bastrop Jan. 3. … Sophomore guard Hagen Fell will miss approximately six weeks with a foot injury suffered during practice last week. … Westlake won’t play again until the Bastrop game.