Only days ago, it appeared Beren Academy would not play in the tournament at all.

Beren Academy is an Orthodox Jewish school, and its players observe the Sabbath from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday. The school was prepared to forfeit its semifinal game against the Covenant School of Dallas, which had been scheduled for 9 p.m. on Friday, unless the starting time of the game was moved up.

Beren officials appealed to the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools, the group that organizes the tournament, but the association said it would not change the starting time, citing its bylaws.

But on Thursday, after a group of Beren Academy parents and students filed a lawsuit, the association, known as Tapps, announced that it would comply with Beren Academy’s request. It rescheduled its Class 2A semifinal game for Friday afternoon, and also agreed to reschedule the championship game until after sundown if Beren Academy advanced.

The final, originally set for Saturday afternoon, was played at 8 p.m. at Nolan Catholic High School in Fort Worth.

Beren Academy (24-6) trailed for much of the first two quarters before tying the score at halftime, 19-19. But Beren failed to keep pace with Abilene in the second half, trailing until the final buzzer.

“We’re just happy they had a chance to play,” Beren Academy Coach Chris Cole said.