Saint Mary's Hall seeks TAPPS state success before heading to SPC

The Barons are in the TAPPS state tournament for the third time in the last four years.

Feb. 25, 2026 at 7:25pm

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Saint Mary's Hall's girls basketball team is seeking TAPPS state success before transitioning to the Southwest Preparatory Conference (SPC) next school year. The Barons, led by senior starters Isabella 'Beya' Chase and Maddie Florence, are facing a familiar opponent in the TAPPS Class 5A state semifinals - Houston Second Baptist, whom they lost to in overtime two years ago. Saint Mary's Hall is enjoying an unprecedented run of success, having never won a TAPPS playoff game until 2023 and capturing the TAPPS 4-5A crown in 2023 and 2024.

Why it matters

This tournament serves as Saint Mary's Hall's swan song in TAPPS before they transition to the SPC, one of the major leagues that governs private school athletics in Texas. The Barons are looking to end their TAPPS tenure on a high note by winning the state championship.

The details

Saint Mary's Hall (28-7) will face Second Baptist (26-5) in the TAPPS Class 5A state semifinals on Thursday at 8 p.m. in Waco. The winner will play either Austin Hyde Park or Fort Worth Southwest Christian for the state title on Friday at 4 p.m. Chase and Florence have been the team's top scorers since their freshman season and have helped build the program's foundation. Freshman guard Ava Wineglass, considered one of the state's top recruits for 2029, has also made an impact this season.

  • In 2024, Saint Mary's Hall lost against Second Baptist in the TAPPS state semifinals.
  • In 2023, Saint Mary's Hall lost against Second Baptist in the TAPPS state semifinals.
  • Last season, Saint Mary's Hall lost against Second Baptist in the first round of the TAPPS playoffs.

The players

Isabella 'Beya' Chase

A fourth-year senior starter for Saint Mary's Hall who leads the team in scoring (17.9 points), assists (4.2), and 3-pointers (117) this season.

Maddie Florence

The other fourth-year senior starter for Saint Mary's Hall who was the team's leading scorer last season.

Ava Wineglass

A freshman guard for Saint Mary's Hall who is considered one of the state's top recruits for the 2029 class.

Second Baptist

Saint Mary's Hall's opponent in the TAPPS Class 5A state semifinals, who have defeated the Barons in the playoffs the past few years.

Matthew Hayes

The head coach of the Saint Mary's Hall girls basketball team.

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What they’re saying

“Going home from Waco was not the best feeling at all. There are underlying feelings. I know it's going to feel great winning. I'm really excited playing them because it's a familiar opponent, and it's really personal.”

— Isabella 'Beya' Chase, Senior, Saint Mary's Hall (expressnews.com)

“We talk about having a goldfish memory, so you kind of forget those things. We've played them the past few years, but that doesn't dictate how the outcome of this year is going to be. I think that's a big thing for us to keep in mind and to let go of the past. It's what we're doing now that's going to give us the outcome we want.”

— Maddie Florence, Senior, Saint Mary's Hall (expressnews.com)

“She's definitely pushed harder this season. I think she hasn't taken this season for granted. She's come back from a pretty substantial injury. That's impacted her, but I think it's impacted her in a good way, and she's built a lot off from that.”

— Ava Wineglass, Freshman, Saint Mary's Hall (expressnews.com)

What’s next

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The takeaway

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