Arizona Magic Pump N Run 83 Texas D-1 Ambassadors 70 (Desert Invitational)
Super balanced scoring didn't count for squat as Arizona Pump N Run shot the lights out in an 83-70 win over the Texas D-1 Ambassadors in the Desert Invitational. This group featured many of our future 2012 players. 2012 G Paul Baxter of Austin Bowie looked good in his debut with Texas D-1 as he scored 9 points and looked in synch with his fellow 2012 backcourt mate Michael Hardge of Georgetown. Incidentally, Hardge also received his first offer as Texas State pulled the trigger. The first of many, I am sure. Congrats, Mike!
2011 W Ansley Benjamin of San Antonio Clark also added 9 points and 6 rebounds, 2011 Adam Whitlock of Austin St. Michael's had 9, as did 2011 Brooks Pawsat of Austin Hyde Park.
Texas D-1 Ambassadors 72 Arizona Rebels 56 (Desert Invitational)
2012 P Drew Wikelius of Austin Westlake went to work with 14 points, and Ansley Benjamin swept the boards clean as he tallied 11 rebounds, and 2011 P Clark Lammert also added 11 points in the win. 2013 PG Travon Landry of Bryan did an excellent job of penetrating and setting up team mates for easy buckets.
2011 Clark Lammert of San Antonio Churchill (l) sports his new tough guy look as he had a tooth knocked out in Las Vegas but that didn't keep him from competing alongside summer team mate 2011 Ansley Benjamin (r) of San Antonio Clark in Phoenix.
Spiece Mo-Kan 55 Texas D-1 Ambassadors 53 (Desert Duel)
This one was definitely a heartbreaker as both teams defended with intensity. There were few easy points available as the game went back and forth. Up by 2 points and a minute and a half left we missed a breakaway layup to likely ice the game and then missed two other layups at the buzzer, failing to knot the score.
2011 G Deon Mitchell of Pflugerville led all scorers with 10 points and 6 assists. 2011 W Jalen Washington of Pflugerville Hendrickson added 8 points and 8 rebounds against the much bigger Mo-Kan squad. 2011 W Jaleel Williams of Killeen Ellison had 8 points and 4 blocks.
From left to right: Jaleel Williams, Jalen Washington & Jonathan Perry did a great job of defending 6'9" and above posts today in back to back games.
Texas D-1 Ambassadors 55 Team New Jersey 44 (Desert Duel)
The New Jersey squad fielded a front line of 6'11", 6'10" & 6'9" but as the game wore on they couldn't match up with our speed and constant trapping. Once again, Jalen Washington did an incredible job on the boards as he snagged 12 and added 5 points. 2011 Dylan Cox of Cedar Park had 7 points and also chipped in with 6 boards.
Joe Ward All Stars (AZ) 73 Texas D-1 Ambassadors 71 (Desert Duel Exhibition)
When asked by the tournament organizers if we'd like an additional exhibition game we jumped at the opportunity to play in front of about 20 late staying coaches in the final game of the night. The Arizona State staff, including Head Coach Herb Sendek was on hand to evaluate Deon Mitchell. He did not disappoint as he scored 16 points as the Sun Devils looked on.
2011 W Max Yon put his game on display for Colgate (who have already offered) and he led all scorers with 19. Jalen Washington showed another facet of his game as he dropped 7 dimes.
Deon Mitchell (left) and Max Yon (right) led the D-1 Ambassadors in scoring
