Here we are, folks. The start of the 2009-2010 basketball season is officially underway. With a new year comes new dreams for many players and their families. I look forward to the coming season more than ever before. A record 11 boys players signed early at the Division One level in the Austin-San Antonio area. In my opinion, the talent's always been here, the exposure is finally starting to catch up. I hope to continue to advance that agenda in my new role as ESPNU's Regional Recruiting Analyst. If any of you have info regarding young players I should see and evalkuate please don't hesitate to call or drop me an email at TexasBasketball@aol.com or 512-791-5455....thanks Coach Max
I was on hand last night to see the marquee game of the triple header at San Antonio's Littleton Coliseum. The final score was San Antonio Reagan 56 San Antonio Stevens 48. Congrats to Jimmy Fred Littleton for the opening win over an athletic, but inexperienced Stevens squad in the building named after his Pops who passed away this summer. Our condolences.Reagan was led by 2011 G Tre Demps (Texas D-1 Ambassadors) with 26 points. Demps, a move in last season from California is much improved over last year with a more consistent perimeter shot, about 15 lbs of extra muscle and most important a maturity and aggressiveness in his mentality that sees him get to the rim on a regular basis. He got unexpected backcourt help from 2011 G Matt Meddell who also dropped 19, mostly with the mid range shot. Reagan's backcourt stepped up as they got minimal production from 2011 stars Max Yon (whose shot was just not dropping) and 6'8" Darrious Hamilton who battled foul trouble from the onset. Considering also that 6'7" Senior Ray Chase who quit the team just prior to the seaosn was also expected to be a big contributor and the Reagan win has to be considered a nice early season victory against a quality opponent.
San Antonio Stevens (one of the top three teams in the San Antonio Metro area look like they'll be pretty good when it's all said and done. Considering that they lost several players who are now off in college, including all everything G Brandon Thompson who is now playing as a frosh for Arizona State in the Pac-10 it was a decent outing for Stevens. Senior Joe Monroe a 6'6" P who committed to play D-2 for hometown St. Mary's University dropped 13 and had a good night on the boards. Young 2012 G Uche Ofoegbu looks to be the future of the Stevens Falcons. He dropped 15 points. Ofoegbu is a lanky 6'4" and should grow plenty. His two older brothers are pros playing overseas. Based on his earlier development in the ballhandling area, Uche could be the best of the Ofoegbu Family at some point down the road. For the moment though he's a work in progress so he'll mix in turnovers to go along with his slashing moves to the basket, active work on the boards and his adequate outside shot.
Below: 2011 G Sterling Green of Austin St. Stephens won't have a lot of help this season, but he's got a college body and a potential college game. At 6'4" and about 200 lbs he has a smooth stroke and can get to the rim. Round Rock Westwood bounced St. Stephen's 57-35
Down Houston way, The Yates Lions opened up in impressive style. They whacked Dickinson 142-80. That is not a typo. 142! Super leaper Brandon "Snap" Peters had 39 and Providence commit, Joseph Young (son of former Houston Cougar & Phi Slamma Jamma' Michael Young) had 33, while PG Darius "Pee Wee" Gardner (committed to Stephen F. Austin) dropped 23. Sorry, but the rest of the State's teams in 4A are immediately playing for second place and the privelege of getting their butts waxed by one of the greatest teams in the State of Texas history.
Austin Akins 76 Copperas Cove 54 Akins, despite having to replace several graduated seniors from last year's playoff team which was a hair away from a big 1st round upset of San Antonio Madison drubbed a Cove group soundly. 2011 prspect, PG 2011 6'0" Yolonzo Moore showed off his improved shot and notched 21 points.
Tonight I'll be on hand to watch San Antonio Wagner and San Antonio Madison in an intrguing early season match up for San Antonio's early season bragging rights.
