Recapping the Bob Stras Dallas Classic HS Basketball Tournament

18
Dec

The 59th Annual Knights of Columbus Bob Stras Dallas Classic HS Basketball Tournament Is In the Books!

On December 1st, 2nd and 3rd, 2022, the Knights of Columbus Bob Stras Dallas Classic High School Basketball Tournament was concurrently held at Bishop Lynch High School and at Jesuit Dallas. Eight girls teams competed at BL while 8 boys teams played at Jesuit. The Knights of Columbus of the Dallas Diocese Chapter sponsored the tournament and provided the 48 page printed tournament program, commemorative tee shirts for the participants, all trophies and awards, personalized bag tags for players and coaches, a commemorative gift for all head coaches, post game meals, funding for referees and security and more! All this was done through the generosity of individual Knights, Dallas Councils and Assemblies, our Insurance group, affiliated organizations and commercial partners.

The boys division of the tournament was won by Lovejoy High School coached by Mr. Kyle Herrema and led by tournament MVP Karson Templin. The Lovejoy Leopards had to defeat Hillcrest High School in the first round and the Sachse Mustangs in the second to reach the final against the Jesuit Rangers coached by Mr. Chris Hill. Lovejoy was ahead by 12 at the half but the Rangers battled back ferociously to lose by only 2 points – 54-52. Dallas Lincoln beat Hillcrest High School 66-49 for the Consolation Championship and Sachse High School finished in third. The All Tournament Team was made up of:

  • Karson Templin, Lovejoy – (MVP)
  • Akshat Saini, Lovejoy
  • RJ Shatman, Sachse
  • Nikhil Prabhu, Frisco Centennial
  • Dylan Gibbons, Jesuit

On the girls side of the tournament, Bishop Lynch, coached by Texas High School Basketball Hall of fame coach Andy Zihlman and led by co-MVP’s Natalie Cardenas and Maddie Heiss, triumphed over Rockwall 58 to 36 after having beat Hockaday by 58 points in the first round and Greenhill by 36 points in the second round! Ursuline Academy finished in Third Place and Arlington Sam Houston defeated Colleyville Heritage for the Consolation Championship. The All Tournament Team on the girls’ side was made up of:

  • Natalie Cardenas, Bishop Lynch (Co-MVP)
  • Maddie Heiss, Bishop Lynch (Co-MVP)
  • Sibelle Zambie, Greenhill
  • Madelyne Davis, Ursuline Academy
  • Ellery Sample, Bishop Lynch
  • Lola Buraimo, Rockwall

The Tournament committee wishes to thank the many sponsor councils, individuals and companies and the many Knights who volunteered at the tournament sights to make the 59th edition of this important tradition the wonderful success that it was. The 2023 event to be held November 30th thru December 2nd will be the “60th Annual” and should be bigger and better than ever!