From left to right: Tre Drye, R. J. McGhee, Mark Nwakamma, Jonathan Perry, D.J. Stephens, Paul Garnica, Daniel Alexander, Cody Doolin, Conner Kemper, Jake Kocher, Brian Williams & Trey Demps.
The Texas D-1 Ambassadors went 5-1 on their 1st trip of the season. Here's a recap.Saturday Game 1 Texas D-1 Ambassadors 91 Houston Hoops 90 (OT)
The Hoops are regularly amongst the Top 10 teams in the country featuring the #1 player in the Class of 2012, (former Texas Ambassador) J. Mychal Reese and one of the country's top post players in 2010 Toby Oyedeji and high flyer Brandon "Snap" Peters. The D-1 Ambassadors are no slouches though with #29 on Rivals, 2010 Daniel Alexander, dunking machine D.J. Stephens & 2010 Louisiana Mr. Basketball, Brian Williams. (Who was back in Louisiana at a luncheon picking up his award).
This is one of the most exciting games I've ever coached in. The Ambassadors came out hitting everything they shot. At the half they led by 23. A class organization like the Hoops will never quit though, and they pressed their way to a 6 point lead with about 3 minutes to play in the game. The standing room only crowd was thrilled by dunk after dunk by Peters and Stephens who sports a 42" standing vertical leap.
Ambassadors PG 2010 Cody Doolin, who is no stranger to winning big games in the City of Houston (he led the Ambassadors to back to back Kingwood Classic Championships) hit a huge 30 foot shot at the buzzer to force the game into overtime.
The Ambassadors had a balanced scoring attack as sharp shooting R.J. McGhee of Baton Rouge Istrouma had 19, Daniel Alexander had 16, D.J. Stephens had 15 and Cody Doolin had 12.
Game 2 Saturday Texas D-1 Ambassadors 57 Rashad Lewis SE Texas Elite 56
After trailing most of the game the Ambassadors scored with 15 seconds on the clock in a nice comeback. SE Texas' top prospect G DeCarlos Frank almost singlehandedly put the Ambassadors away in the 1st half by hitting numerous three pointers from another zip code. Doolin had 11, Alexander had 10, rugged 2010 W Conner Kemper had 8 and 2011 Jake Kocher had 7.
Game 3 Saturday Houston Select Swoosh 81 Texas D-1 Ambassadors 69
Playing their 3rd game of the day, the quickness of the Select guards; 2011 Texas A&M commit Jamaal Branch and 2010 Jamal Outler who shot lights out was too much for D-1 to handle. Select led most of the game, although the Ambassadors tied it with several runs, the last time at 63-63 before Select went on the late run to salt it away.
Cody Doolin led with 18 points while 2010 WG Brian Williams showed why LSU & Oklahoma State have already offered him as he dropped 12 points along with 10 boards from the Wing.
Game 4 Sunday Texas D-1 Ambassadors 69 Houston All 4 Sports 32
With too much depth for All 4 Sports to contend witha total team effort. No Ambassador was in double figures as we went deep into our bench getting a great contribution from all the players.
Game 5 Sunday Texas D-1 Ambassadors 65 Houston Superstars 54
As is our trademark, we just wore the Superstars out. Trailing early 9-0 and at the half by 10, there was a 20 point swing in the 2nd half. We pounded the boards with 2011 Tre Drye nabbing 10 rebounds while Daniel Alexander had 10 points and 10 rebounds of his own. 2011 G Trey Demps also added 9 points.
Game 6 Sunday Texas D-1 Ambassadors 74 Houston Clippers 69
Six games in two days against a team only playing it's 3rd required the Ambassadors to play through fatigue coming back from 6 down late in the game and winning going away. R.J. McGhee fired 28 points for the Ambassadors.
The Ambassadors will make a rare Austin appearance on March 28-29th as they play in the Longhorn Classic being held at Austin Akins High School.
