TMI Rallies From 17 Down to Reach TAPPS 6A Final

This was the fourth meeting between two Central Texas heavyweights, but this one carried the most weight. A trip to the TAPPS 6A Championship was on the line, and what unfolded was a tale of two halves and a comeback that will be remembered for a long time.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/02/Screen-Shot-2026-02-27-at-4.28.11-PM-crop-1095x719-1772302816-crop-640x420-1772302874.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/02/Screen-Shot-2026-02-27-at-4.28.11-PM-crop-1095x719-1772302816-crop-640x420-1772302874.png?w=639" alt="" class="wp-image-3530043" /></a></figure>   St. Michael's came out locked in. From the opening possession, the Warriors established themselves defensively. Senior leaders [player_tooltip player_id='2445867' first='Jayden' last='Buchunam'] and Will Gasink set the tone with physical perimeter pressure and disciplined rotations that stalled TMI's early rhythm.   Offensively, St. Mike's was surgical.   Buchanan thrived in the high post within their patient motion offense, scoring efficiently on back cuts and interior touches. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='2252899' first='Sun' last='Jinkal'] was electric from the start — attacking gaps, finishing through contact, and creating mismatches with his quick first step. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2984003' first='Narayan' last='Varma'] and senior [player_tooltip player_id='2574827' first='Nolan' last='Barkley'] chipped in early buckets to keep the pressure on.   TMI, meanwhile, struggled to find flow in the first half. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='1778922' first='Corbin' last='Crocker'] battled inside like a wrecking ball, cleaning the glass and converting put-backs. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='2428188' first='Chase' last='Hill'] added perimeter range and toughness. And star senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1500800' first='Elijah' last='Williams'], despite heavy defensive attention, found ways to contribute.   Still, St. Mike's owned the second quarter.   The Warriors unveiled a 2-3 zone that completely disrupted TMI's penetration. They controlled the defensive boards and turned stops into transition points. Gasink and freshman [player_tooltip player_id='2984182' first='Nico' last='Cajas'] pushed tempo for easy finishes, while Jinkal began to fully take over. His ability to get downhill put TMI in constant rotation.   At halftime, St. Michael's led 43-26 and looked poised for a return trip to the championship.   But championship-caliber teams don't fold.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Shift</h2>   TMI came out of the locker room with a different edge.   They simplified. They got physical. And they went inside.   Crocker became the focal point. Touch after touch on the block. Scores, fouls, kick-outs. His presence altered the game's rhythm. Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2454453' first='Jaden' last='Flemons'] attacked downhill with purpose, finishing, drawing contact, and setting the tone defensively.   Then Williams woke up.   The All-State level guard found space beyond the arc and drilled multiple deep threes. He began living at the free-throw line. His shot-making flipped the energy in the building.   Meanwhile, St. Michael's went cold. The execution was there, good looks, solid sets, but the shots didn't fall. Credit TMI's defensive pressure led by Flemons, Williams, and Crocker, protecting the interior.   The third quarter was decisive.   TMI outscored St. Mike's 30-9 in the period and turned a 17-point deficit into a 56-52 lead entering the fourth.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Heavyweight Finish</h2>   The final quarter felt like the twelfth round of a championship fight.   Jinkal displayed his full arsenal of deep threes, euro steps, and reverse finishes, all while defending Williams on the other end. Williams answered with next-level shot-making and poise. It was a matchup worthy of the stage.   Buchunam continued to impact the game with rebounding and effort plays until fouling out in the closing minute, a pivotal moment.   With 33 seconds remaining, Jinkal sliced into the paint for a lightning-quick finish to put St. Mike's up one.   Williams responded immediately.   A deep, confident three from beyond the arc. No hesitation. Pure.   TMI regained the lead, and this time, they held it.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   Both programs proved why they are among the state's elite. The individual battle between Williams and Jinkal was high-level, but this comeback was about collective toughness. TMI fought for every possession, dove for loose balls, rebounded in traffic, and defended with urgency.   They advance to face Parrish Episcopal (Dallas) in the TAPPS 6A Championship, and if this semifinal was any indication, the final will be must-watch basketball.   High-level players. Championship poise. And a comeback built on grit.   That's playoff basketball.

This was the fourth meeting between two Central Texas heavyweights, but this one carried the most weight. A trip to the TAPPS 6A Championship was on the line, and what unfolded was a tale of two halves and a comeback that will be remembered for a long time.