Originally appeared on Vype.com.

After losing their opening game to Cy Falls, the Tompkins Falcons bounced back as McDonald’s Invitation Tournament Champions by defeating the Duncanville Panthers in the championship game, 59-54, the following weekend.

The championship game went down to the last few seconds, but Tompkins was able to leave with the McDonald’s Invitation trophy in their hands.

Duncanville is a sound defensive team and was able to get Tompkins’ talented starting guards Jamal Bieniemy and Eden Holt in foul trouble throughout the game. Duncanville was able to hold the lead throughout most of the game, but towards the end, they could not slow down the Most Valuable Player of the game, Tompkins guard CJ Washington.

Washington finished with a total of 19 points, followed by All-Tournament player, Jamal Bieniemy with 13 points. Tompkins guard Drake Dusek knocked down two key buckets that helped Tompkins take the lead in the fourth, and Eden Holt was able to close out the game by making five free throws in the last two minutes.

Saturday’s win made it six in a row for Tompkins since the opening loss and they look to fight for win number seven as they take on another top ranked team, the Westlake Chaparrals from Austin on Wednesday.

It will be a tough turn around match up for Tompkins, but with the “brother” motto that’s shown throughout their locker room, they feel can accomplish anything. 

Tompkins reminded all of Texas not to count them out nor forget about them in the State Champions conversation, because it is not how you start the season, but how you finish.