San Antonio Churchill comes into this game riding a wave. They are recent winners of the Lone Star Invitational, while Converse Judson have come back from the coast with hardware after winning the South Padre Island Invitational. This one could have deep playoff implications as Churchill has all the pieces to make a run, while after a slow start, Judson is now picking up steam. That's the trademark of a Mike Wacker squad, much like Austin Bowie's C. C. Collier, their teams get BETTER as the year progresses.
For those of you old enough to remember Houston Oilers Coach Bum Phillips, I harken back to his description of Dolphis great Don Shula. "He can take his and beat yours, OR take yours & beat his". That's the impact that Wacker has. Prediction: Judson in a close one where they control the pace.
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The first half was a tale of two quarters. Churchill grabbed an early 20-10 lead behind 2012 G Scott Mammel's hot shooting, while in the 2nd quarter Churchill shot Judson right back in it. 2011 W Cameron Griffin of Judson was far and away the best player on the floor in the first half.
Judson continued to get high energy from Griffin as he filled up the stat sheet with 24 points, 12 rebounds and 5 assists to lead all scorers. Senior Raynell Ishman also gave him offensive support in the 2nd half where he scored all 14 of his points. Senior Trent Matthews had 14 points & 5 rebounds, and 2012 G E.J. Hubbard had 12 & 6 boards for the Rockets.
Judson did not shoot a perimeter shot for the last third of the game, showing great discipline and running clock. Churchill did hit a couple of three pointers in the 4th but it's tough to come back on a structured, veteran squad that hits it's free throws down the stretch.
2011 G Cameron Griffin of Judson was rockin' the old school flat top. He gave Churchill the business tonight as he had 24 points and 12 rebounds, including 7/8 from the charity stripe to close the game out for the Rockets.
2012 G Scott Mammel hit 19 points, 16 of them in the first quarter to lead Churchill. 2011 W Clark Lammert chipped in with 15 & 6 rebounds. 2012 G William Huguley also had 15 in a relief role for the Chargers.
Georgetown 62 Austin St. Michael's 42Georgetown went on the road and broke open a close game in the 4th quarter. 2012 G Michael Hardge (shown below with the Texas D1 Ambassadors) led the winning Eagles with 19. 2011 Jake Kocher (Texas A&M-Corpus Christi) also had 19 in the loss.
Austin St. Stephens 54 Pflugerville Connally 52
St Stephen's is making a habit of winning close games. Tonight they handled one time powerhouse Pflugerville Connally as 2011 Sterling Green had 16 to lead the Spartans.
Killeen Ellison 53 Austin Hyde Park 46
2011 Devonta Brown (Indiana State) had 14 points, while 2011 W Jaleel Williams had 14 to lead Ellison. Williams summer team mate, 2011 W Brooks Pawsat led HP with 17 points. Ellison closed out a close game at the free throw line, as Hyde Park was forced to foul.
2011 Brooks Pawsat (l) & 2011 Jaleel Williams (r) were summer team mates with the Texas D1 Ambassadors but tonight they were on opposite sides of the ball in their match up.
Manor 72 Austin Westlake 71
2011 G LaDarrien Williams got busy last night, dropping 32 points in a Manor win. His team needed every one of them, including his buzzer beater for the W. When Westlake missed the front end of a one and one, it opened the door for Williams to work his magic. Along with Josiah Monroe of Bastrop & JaQuarius Daniels of Austin Reagan, they are the area's top dual sport stars (football/basketball).
Westlake was led by 2012 G R.J. Rowan who had 23 points in the loss. 2013 PG Will Morse added 13 points & 7 assists for the Chaps.
Manor's L.D. Williams (shown below with Texas D1, had 32 last night in the Manor win
