Sunday, December 6, 2009

Laredo United Champions! Lone Star Invitational Wrap Up

Daniel Rosas lit up Austin Westlake in the Championship of the Lone Star Invitational
The Texas D-1 Ambassadors were well represented in the Finals of the Lone Star Invitational Tournament in San Antonio I spent Thursday to today in Marble Falls and Killeen covering their events. I know I missed some great action here in the Alamo City as well at the Lone Star Invitational.

A landmark championship was won by Laredo United at the Lone Star Invitational. Laredo who checks in at #4 on my Top 20 from Central/South Texas were up to the challenge. It took a thrilling come from behind victory led by clutch three point shooting from 2010 G Daniel Rosas & 2010 G Mike Elizondo who made up a 5 point deficit with little more than a minute remaining to claim the crown over a very strong Austin Westlake team. The final score was 67-66. This was not a fluke either folks as Laredo United can shoot the ball with anybody from beyond the arc and have adequate size down low that allows them to not get overwhelmed by a power team.

2010 G Daniel Rosas led United with 22, followed by Mike Elizondo with 13. 2010 W Conner Kemper had 17 and PG Cody Doolin (San Francisco) had 15 for Westlake.

4 of the 5 starters for the Westlake Chaps were members of the Texas D-1 Ambassadors organization and almost ALL of the Laredo United roster made up the Laredo D-1 Ambassadors the past two summers. Coincidence? You be the judge.

This was a huge win for the kids from far South Texas, who rarely get respect in the basketball world. You could see it coming though as they had beaten McAllen and lost last second games to Converse Judson on the road as well as blowing a 22 point lead at home against powerhouse Converse Wagner. Couple that with Lone Star wins over Riverdale Baptist (MD), Wagner and Westlake in the final and you can see Laredo has made huge strides.

Westlake had to come through Dallas Lancaster, Fort Worth North Crowley, Duncanville to get to the championship game. Don't be surprised if this game was a Regional matchup in San Antonio come late February.