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Triple A Academy wins boys basketball state title, but Mumford coach says, 'We're still public-school champions'

AUSTIN — The sense of inevitably wasn’t misplaced. The air of invincibility was never challenged.

Triple A Academy was as good as advertised, and it showed in the Class A Division I state final Saturday.

Preordained as the eventual champion when it joined the UIL this season, the charter school rolled to an 80-54 win over Mumford. Triple A (28-5) became the first boys charter school program to win a UIL team title, and it did so in dominating fashion. The 26-point margin of victory in the final was the closest any Class A team got to the southern Dallas school.

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“We definitely didn’t want to underestimate our opponent, but coming out and getting a win like that over teams that have kind of been talking mess all year, and seeing all the articles on how it’s going to be a good game, I think we made a statement going out there and beating them by 26,” junior guard Jeremiah Jefferson said.

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Jefferson was named the game’s MVP, with 29 points, 10 rebounds and three assists. He scored 66 points in two games in Austin, making 27-of-58 shots from the field.

Triple A fell behind in the first quarter, triggered when starting point guard Tyler Singleton picked up his second foul with 4:44 remaining in the period. He left the game for nearly three minutes, during which Mumford (39-1) went on a 10-4 run to take the lead.

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“When he picked up those two fouls, we had to change a lot of things that we do,” coach Tim Singleton said.

With Tyler Singleton back in the lineup, Triple A righted its course, regaining the lead midway through the second quarter with a combination of pressure and second-chance points. In fitting with Tim Singleton’s game plan, Triple A had 23 offensive rebounds and 26 more shot attempts than Mumford.

“Our team, that’s our speciality; we’re good at those areas, forcing turnovers and playing really, really good defense,” junior forward Gary Breaux said.

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With a roster gleaned from across southern Dallas, Triple A might have one of the most talented rosters ever for a small school at the UIL state tournament. But it might also be one of the most reviled.

During the awards presentation at halftime of the following game, the rank-and-file of the UIL that fill the lower bowl of the Frank Erwin Center made its feelings known — giving Mumford a standing ovation when it was awarded its runner-up trophy. Those same spectators stood largely silent when Triple A received the winners trophy, with a small chorus of boos coming from around the arena.

While complimentary about Triple A’s players and team, Mumford coach Chris Sodek didn’t pull back in a post-game news conference when asked his thoughts about Triple A’s inclusion in the UIL.

“We’re still public school champions,” he said.

Follow Corbett Smith on Twitter at @corbettsmithDMN.