Tompkins Triumphant
Tompkins basketball is ready to make a run in the playoffs
Keion Cage
Feb 20, 2018, 9:21 pm
For the first time in program history, the Tompkins Falcons ended the regular season as district champs.
With a 26-8 overall record — 12-2 in district — Tompkins claimed the District 19-6A crown that had eluded the Falcons for a couple years.
Tompkins’ season included big wins over district rival Morton Ranch and Duncanville in the McDonalds Invitational Tournament to take home the tournament championship trophy.
Tompkins, ranked 16th in the state, is led by senior guard and Oklahoma signee, Jamal Bieniemy, and talented senior guard, CJ Washington.
Bieniemy finished the district season with an average of 17.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 6.1 assists while Washington had a district average of 16.6 points and 5 rebounds per game.
The two senior guards have been a part of Tompkins since the program’s first ever game when they were freshmen.
Now, the two are trying to lead their talented team that includes guard Eden Holt and shooting guards Emmanuel White and Kristian Sjolund to the program’s first ever playoff victory after back to back years of Bi-District exits.
“We are experienced and locked and loaded for the playoffs to started. We know what we need to do to win, so we just have to go out and play hard as a team to leave with the win,” Bieniemy said.
“We’ve been watching film and practicing hard. I believe we have a good shot to contend for state this year. This is my last year of high school, so I know I am going to go all out for my brothers on the team.”
Tompkins had their ups and downs throughout the regular season, but now it’s playoff time, which means win or go home.
Tompkins have been hungry to get back to playoffs since last year’s quick exit. They want to show that they are not just a regular season team, but they are state contenders too.
“I am very excited for the playoffs. I have been waiting for this day all year. This is my last ride with my brothers, so we got to finish with something to remember,” Washington said.
“I am getting my body right and my mind focus in practice, so I’ll be ready for the game. It been a fun season playing with my brothers that I grew up with, and I just can’t wait for the playoff game to get start with them.”
Throughout the season the Falcons have been seen as a state championship caliber team, but now it is time for them to be put to the test to truly see what kind of team they are.
Tompkins will start its playoff journey against Ridge Point High School on Monday at Alief Taylor.
The lights are getting brighter and the stage is getting bigger for Tompkins and they are coming in with a chip on their shoulder to finally make it pass the Bi-District round and get their first playoff win.
Will this be the year Tompkins finally break through the barrier and make a push for state?
Keion Cage is a student at Tompkins HS and a member of the VYPE U Ambassador Program. To learn more about how you can become a VYPE U Ambassador, visit VYPEU.com
Thoughts on Rockies-Astros series
After a rough opening loss to the Rockies, where Hunter Brown got knocked around early, the Astros regrouped and took the final two games to secure the series win. Framber Valdez delivered a much-needed dominant outing, a welcome sight after several shaky starts in August. Jason Alexander did his job as well, pounding the zone and keeping Houston within striking distance until the bats broke through.
Christian Walker provided the big swing in the finale with a go-ahead home run late, continuing his red-hot stretch — five homers in his last seven games. On the pitching side, Brian King and Bryan Abreu both turned in strong work to help close the door for Houston.
Yordan’s impact on the lineup
If Walker keeps producing near his career norms and Yordan Alvarez stays healthy, the Astros’ offense has the potential to overwhelm. Yordan’s return was immediately felt against the Rockies, giving the lineup a depth and presence that manager Joe Espada can slot anywhere.
With Jeremy Peña, Carlos Correa, Jose Altuve, Yordan, Walker, Jesus Sánchez, and eventually Yainer Díaz forming the top seven, Houston suddenly looks as deep as any contender. Add Jake Meyers once he’s back, and the order stretches even further.
Sánchez, who snapped out of a brutal 0-for-27 slump, has quietly rebounded. Over his last 11 games, he’s batting .294 with a .529 slugging percentage and two home runs, giving Houston a second left-handed bat to pair with Yordan. Combine that with Correa — who leads the team in batting average since rejoining at the trade deadline — and it’s an offense poised for a major finishing kick.
Lance McCullers moves to the bullpen
McCullers has walked as many or more hitters than innings pitched in four of his last five outings, and command remains his biggest issue. A move to the bullpen doesn’t necessarily solve that problem — in fact, it could make it worse. Walks in relief situations are costly, and McCullers hasn’t shown the consistency to trust in high-leverage spots. A piggyback role, where he follows another starter, feels like a more realistic path for him at this point.
Rotation outlook with Luis Garcia
Luis Garcia could return as soon as Monday if elevated from Sugar Land, but Houston may not need to force a sixth starter into the mix.
Luis Garcia is certainly an obvious candidate to start on Monday, which is also the first day rosters expand from 26 to 28 - https://t.co/xBPB4xaog9 https://t.co/k2oSymidc0
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) August 28, 2025
If Spencer Arrighetti can build on his last outing and Cristian Javier starts trending upward, the rotation has enough stability to carry Houston through September. Garcia’s return would be a bonus — not a necessity — for a staff that looks like it may finally be rounding into form.
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