'They are probably my most together team': Atascocita hopes for better results in second straight trip to state

Twice is nice. 

The Atascocita Eagles boys basketball team vanquished the Shadow Creek Sharks 67-49 in the Region III-6A final this week to earn a trip to San Antonio for state.

It’s the Eagles’ second consecutive trip to state and third overall in five years, according to VYPE Houston. 

Neither resulted in a Class 6A crown.

Amid the elation of Atascocita securing its back-to-back regional title, senior guard A.J. Aungst remains determined to bring the elusive state championship home to northeast Harris County.

“We came up short last year,” Aungst said, VYPE Houston reported. “We knew right away we wanted to get back to state, and we did what we had to do. A lot of running, two-a-day practices. It all paid off.”

The Eagles' bread-and-butter of defense and shooting ensured the team earned another shot at avenging last year's heartache.

Both teams kept it close in the first half, tying the game at 31 at halftime.

But in the third quarter, Atascocita translated five Shadow Creek turnovers into a comfortable double-digit lead, VYPE Houston reported. 

Aungst channeled his inner Steph Curry and knocked down two straight threes. 

And, in what was a foreshadowing of the fourth quarter, senior forward Kaleb Pouncy executed a buzzer-beating alley-oop to continue the Eagles' momentum.

Senior guard Angel Johnson was credited with the assist.

Atascocita continued to impose its will on the Sharks on both ends of the floor until the final buzzer.

Aungst and senior Landyn Johnson led the Eagles with 13 points each, according to VYPE Houston.

The fact that head coach David Martinez assembled a new starting five this season made the Eagles' latest state berth sweeter.

“It’s special," Martinez told the Houston Chronicle. "To be honest with you, I don’t know that we have any DI players on the team. We’ve got good small-college players, but this is one of my less-talented teams. But they are probably my most together team, and I’ve had some good teams, especially at Atascocita. There’s a lot of talent. But this team has figured it out. They play together, they share the ball and they just feed off the guy that’s hot. That’s kind of been the story of our season this year.”

Atascocita will play in the 6A semifinal on the night of March 11 at the Alamodome. 

A victory would advance the program to the championship game the next day. 

With all eyes toward the Alamo City, Atascocita looks to make up for its 2021 state semifinal exit at the hands of Austin Westlake, as well as the 2016 state title game loss to DeSoto.