Victory christian Academy’s Stellar Season Ends in Regional Playoff Loss to Amarillo San Jacinto
February 26, 2025
The Victory Christian Academy (VCA) Lady Patriots’ remarkable journey in their first season as a TAPPS program reached its conclusion Saturday with a 41-32 defeat against second-ranked Amarillo San jacinto in the regional playoff game. The contest took place at Childress High School, marking the end of a promising season for the Lady Patriots, who finished with a 23-6 record. Despite a determined second-half performance, VCA was unable to surmount an early deficit established by San Jacinto.
The Lady Patriots faced a formidable opponent in San jacinto,a team known for its strong defense and offensive capabilities. While VCA managed to outscore San Jacinto 18-15 in the second half, the early led proved insurmountable. This loss signifies the end of a prosperous season for VCA, who were making their inaugural appearance in the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools (TAPPS) league after many years in the Texas Christian Athletic Fellowship (TCAF) league.
VCA coach Joe Berry reflected on the game, acknowledging the team’s slow start and the challenges they faced.
“We got off to a slow start,”
Joe Berry, VCA Coach
He elaborated on the factors contributing to the initial struggles.
“I don’t know if it was nerves or what.We had a few girls out ther that haven’t been in big games like this, and we just couldn’t get the ball to go in the basket.We also got into foul trouble early, so whatever could go wrong went wrong in the first half. But we came out in the second half with the goal of cutting their lead in half by the end of the third quarter. But we couldn’t get enough going to finish the game off.”
Joe Berry, VCA Coach
Berry, a seasoned coach with 47 years of experience, expressed immense pride in his team’s transition to TAPPS. The move to a new league presented unique challenges, but the Lady Patriots embraced the possibility and exceeded initial expectations. The TAPPS league is known for its competitive habitat, requiring teams to adapt quickly and demonstrate resilience.
“The girls definitely exceeded my expectations,”
Joe Berry, VCA Coach
Berry stated, highlighting the team’s remarkable progress.
“Really, my goal was just to make the playoffs. Traditionally,there’s some teams in our district that are really good basketball schools,so I knew it was going to be tough. We really gelled and became a really good team.”
Joe Berry, VCA Coach
The game commenced with san Jacinto seizing an early 5-0 lead within the first 2 minutes and 30 seconds.VCA responded with a 7-2 run,leveling the score at 7. Though, San Jacinto concluded the first quarter with a 5-2 run of their own, leaving the Lady Patriots trailing by 3 points after the initial quarter.
San Jacinto’s offense gained momentum in the second quarter,embarking on a 10-0 run before Sage Routh of VCA hit a 3-pointer to halt the scoring drought. At halftime, the Lady Patriots trailed San Jacinto 26-14, facing a significant deficit to overcome.
During halftime,Coach Berry motivated his team to mount a comeback,emphasizing the importance of their hard work and determination.
“I told the girls at halftime that we worked too hard to get here to go out like that,”
Joe Berry, VCA Coach
He also addressed the defensive shortcomings in the first half.
“Defense is kind of our thing, and we just weren’t playing good defense — [San Jacinto] wasn’t scoring a lot, but we gave up a lot of easy baskets.”
Joe Berry, VCA coach
VCA emerged from halftime with renewed vigor, embarking on a 16-7 run over a 12 minute and 30 second span, narrowing the deficit to just 3 points. However, san Jacinto responded with an 8-2 run to ultimately secure the victory, demonstrating their resilience and ability to close out the game.
“Our defense got a lot better in the second half,”
Joe Berry, VCA Coach
Berry explained, acknowledging the team’s improved performance.
“We played a lot better on-ball defense, but [Harlie Brabham] was really hard to guard.We played like we normally play. I’m certain that if we had played like that for all four quarters, it would have been a different outcome.”
Joe Berry, VCA Coach
Landree Leake led VCA in scoring with 16 points, while Ainsley Hawk contributed 9 points, showcasing their individual contributions to the team’s offensive efforts.
With seniors Landree Leake,Ainsley Hawk,and Tianna Geiger playing their final game for the Lady Patriots,Berry emphasized the value of the experience gained by the returning players for the 2025-26 season. The lessons learned during this inaugural TAPPS season will undoubtedly serve as a foundation for future success, providing valuable insights and motivation for the team’s continued growth.
“We certainly know what to expect playing in TAPPS now,”
Joe Berry, VCA Coach
Berry concluded, reflecting on the team’s journey.
“This playoff structure is a lot different from TCAF. It was interesting and fun, and of course, no one likes to lose. but we gained a lot from this experience, and we’ll definitely use it to hopefully build some momentum for next year.”
Joe Berry, VCA Coach
TAPPS triumph and Setbacks: An In-Depth Look at Victory Christian Academy’s Historic Season
Did you know that a team’s first season in a new league can reveal more about their potential than years of established play? This is precisely what Victory Christian Academy’s (VCA) inaugural season in the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools (TAPPS) league demonstrated.Let’s delve into the details with Dr. Emily Carter, a renowned sports sociologist specializing in the dynamics of high school athletic programs.
world-Today-News.com Senior Editor: Dr.Carter, VCA’s journey, culminating in a regional playoff loss despite a 23-6 record, provides a compelling case study. can you elaborate on the challenges inherent in transitioning to a more competitive league like TAPPS?
Dr. Carter: The transition for VCA from the Texas Christian Athletic Fellowship (TCAF) league to TAPPS, a more competitive environment known for its higher level of play, presented a multifaceted challenge. The move involved not only adjusting to a different level of athletic competition but also adapting to a distinct competitive landscape. TAPPS schools often invest more heavily in their athletic programs, leading to meaningful differences in coaching expertise, training facilities, and overall player talent.VCA’s 23-6 record, impressive as it is indeed, highlights the initial success but also underscores the steep learning curve of competing against established TAPPS programs. essentially, they were facing opponents with greater resources and experience, a key factor influencing the outcome of their playoff run.
World-Today-News.com Senior Editor: The coach mentioned a slow start attributed to “nerves” and foul trouble. How significant are these factors in impacting a team’s performance, particularly in high-stakes games like playoff matches?
Dr. Carter: The impact of nerves and foul trouble on game performance,particularly in high-pressure situations,is considerable. “Nerves,” or pre-game anxiety, can manifest as impaired decision-making, decreased accuracy, and reduced coordination on the court.In youth sports, the experience of intense gameplay is crucial for building confidence and managing nerves. VCA, playing their first high-stakes TAPPS games, likely faced higher pressure than teams with prior experience in such a setting. Consequently, increased foul trouble limits playing time for key players, disrupting team strategies and impacting overall performance. It’s important to note that this isn’t necessarily about skill level, but about managing pressure in high-stakes competition. This illustrates the critical role of experience and mental preparation in high-school athletics.
World-Today-News.com Senior Editor: The significant betterment VCA showed in the second half illustrates their resilience. What factors contribute to a team’s ability to bounce back from a significant deficit in a game?
Dr. Carter: The second half comeback showcased VCA’s resilience and adaptability. Several factors contributed to this turnaround:
Coach’s half-time adjustments: Strategic changes in game-plan, offensive approach, defensive strategy, substitution patterns, often make the difference after a team analyzes their first-half underperformance.
Team’s spirit and determination: The team’s unwavering belief in themselves and their capacities to overcome adversity are essential. The will to fight back is a crucial intangible factor.
Adapting to the opponent: The team’s ability to observe, react and adapt to the adversary’s strengths and weaknesses in real-time matters greatly.
World-Today-News.com Senior Editor: How does the VCA experience inform the strategic planning for future seasons? What lessons have they learned in their inaugural TAPPS campaign?
Dr. Carter: The VCA experience provides invaluable insights for future seasons. Their initial struggles and second-half successes highlight the importance of these key aspects:
Pre-season preparation: Implementing a more rigorous pre-season training focusing on pressure situations and strategic adaptability.
early season strategy: Selecting opponents more strategically to build confidence early in the season,introducing their players to higher-level competition gradually.
Mental toughness training: Integrating mental skills training into their routine to build resilience to pressure and adversity.This could include techniques such as mindfulness, visualization, and positive self-talk.
World-Today-News.com Senior Editor: Looking ahead, what overall advice would you offer to other high school teams making a similar transition to a more demanding league?
Dr. Carter: For high school teams considering a move to a more demanding league, a phased approach is key. Teams should consider these vital steps:
- Assessment: Conduct a thorough assessment of their current roster’s strengths and weaknesses.
- Realistic Goals Setting: Define and establish realistic short-term and long-term goals. Don’t aim for immediate dominance; focus on steady progress.
- Develop a strategy: Craft a comprehensive game plan for their transition, focusing on gradual integration into the new league. Schedule scrimmages and exhibition games against stronger opponents early.
- Recruiting and Player Development: Invest in recruiting talent and actively participating in player development programs which ensure consistent growth.
- Mental preparedness: Emphasize the mental side of the game, focusing on discipline, building resilience, and establishing team cohesion.
World-Today-News.com Senior Editor: Thank you, dr. Carter, for your insightful viewpoint. VCA’s journey truly showcases the importance of resilience, adaptation, and strategic planning in high-school athletics.
What are your thoughts on VCA’s inaugural TAPPS season? Share your comments below and join the conversation on social media!