Friday, December 11, 2009

Waco Midway 77 Dripping Springs 69 (2OT)

Daniel Alexander graces the cover of ESPN Rise Magazine I dropped by the Lake Travis Tournament to catch Dripping Springs and Texas A&M signee Daniel Alexander v Waco Midway and their 2011 G prospect, Jay Hook. I had a chance to speak with Alexander last night and we discussed the past summer and his current senior campaign at Drip. He's finally healthy after a summer of assorted nagging injuries, including a more serious cracked vertebrae that wasn't diagnosed until August.

The pressure is off Daniel now with his scholarship to Texas A&M in place, he can enjoy his senior year. In fact, Drip has been playing decent basketball and Daniel is happy to make the other players around him better instead of asserting himself to the spotlight at all times. Even though Daniel is more widely known for his bouncy step and deep shooting range, it's my assertion that he may well be the best PASSING big man in the State. The A&M staff agree that he can be a real weapon in the high post because of this subtle skillset that he has. It's not easily seen at the high school level though as many of his "no looks" are not received by modest players.
Midway Senior G Levi Norwood is a solid player. He's headed to Penn State to play football next fall. The hooper on the Waco Midway squad is 2011 G 6'3" Jay Hook. He's long, active and has a nice perimeter stroke. He's one to keep an eye on. Per his coach, he's already garnering D-1 interest.
2011 G Connor Lewis has 12 for Drip including a huge 3 with 3:00 left. Alexander just left the game with a gash in his eyebrow from an errant elbow. Two key turnovers at midcourt by Drip have decided this game as Penn State bound Levi Norwood has converted both for easy layups. We have OT as Junior Connor Lewis, with ice water in his veins hits the game tying triple at the buzzer.
After two OT's Midway prevailed. The Drip bench got a tech for calling TO with a 3 point lead. Problem was they didn't have one.
Alexander finished with 13 pts 10 Rebounds and 5 blocks.
Luke Gilliam 23
Connor Lewis 15
Jay Hook had 19 to lead Waco Midway.