Alamo Heights 63 San Antonio Brennan 50
This was a one sided affair as Brennan HS in it's inaugural varsity campaign was overmatched by Alamo Heights. Brennan's better days are ahead as the school has no seniors in it's first year of existence. 2012 F Christian Davis & 2013 PG Johnny Azzinaro lead the Bears.
Alamo Heights, as mentioned a couple of days ago is one of my co-favorites along with New Braunfels Canyon to make it to the Regional Final & State. AH had balanced 1st half scoring as they raced to a 40-18 lead at the break. They are just too big and experienced for Brennan as they sport 2012 P 6'7" Shelby Lane, 2012 W 6'5" Jeffrey Rodewold & 2014 P 6'7" Ben Lammers.
At the end of three quarters Brennan has fought back and closed the gap to 48-30, and with a couple of quick second half possessions it's now a 48-35 spread with 7:11 left in the game. The next minute belonged to Rodewold as he scored a bucket, hit a pair of free throws and blocked a shot to run the lead back to 17. Azzinaro who was quiet in the 1st half with only two points has now added 10 in the 2nd half to cut the lead back to 13 with 4:25 to play.
Brennan could never get it any closer as the Mules were led by Rodewold who rebounds hard, runs the floor, gets his hands on a lot of balls defensively & also is a tough out on the offensive end. He finished with 17 points, whil Lane led the squad with 19 points. "Jersey' Johnny Azzinaro caped an outstanding sopomore season with , while Davis led the Bears with 20 points.
1st Round 5A
San Antonio Taft 67 San Antonio East Central 42
I'll be shocked if this isn't a high scoring affair as the East Central Hornets like to let it fly and San Antonio Taft has more than enough firepower and the ability to run the floor and keep up with them. Who hits their threes could decide this game, although Taft has to be a 10 point favorite in my books. East Central will be led by Senior sharpshooter Efrain Solis and 2012 F John Baker. Taft will line up three potent seniors in Deondre Logan and their two D1 signees in Dylan Elias (Northern Colorado) & Marshall Harris (Citadel).
East Central prides itself on it's history of fast paced play and a State Title, but with the score 23-3 at the end of the 1st quarter they're getting run out of the gym by a quicker, hotshooting Taft team which dropped 4 three pointers out of the gate.
More of the same in the 2nd quarter as Logan already has 20. Senior Carlos Gutierrez is playing with great energy as he's als dropped 6 points. Taft's players are getting to the hole whenever they want, against whoever they want.
Early in the 4th quarter with the score 63-23 both teams have made wholesale substitutions. Elias finished with 6 points & 7 rebounds, Logan with 23 & 5 boards & Harris with 2 points, 7 rebounds & 4 assists. Bake finished his season with 6 points & 10 rebounds. Taft's guards rebound as hard as anyone's that I've seen this year.
