Australian Institute of Sport 60 Texas D1 Ambassadors 57

D1 Nation Live-Houston Tournament Recap:



Feature Game: Australian Institute of Sport 60 Texas D1 Ambassadors 57


The Australian team has spent the last two weeks in Houston & Dallas on a goodwill/competitive basketball tour. As always when we are requested to represent our country in international competition, the Texas D1 Ambassadors feel honored. As with most international teams, the Aussies are disciplined and fundamentally sound. Overall they lack the foot speed and athleticism of kids here in the United States but their focus on the team game and their maturity (17-21 year olds) make them a difficult opponent.

Texas D1 Ambassadors Coach Richard Law sharing pregame fellowship with his Aussie counterpart

Both teams spent the first half feeling each other out and not much scoring occured in transition. It didn’t take long to figure out that the University of New Mexico Lobos have gotten a good one in The Kangaroos G/W Hugh Greenwood. He had a nice stroke, was a competent ball handler & was extremely cagey in taking advantage of what the defense gave him.

Aussie Hugh Greenwood will soon be a New Mexico Lobo

On the flip side, this Texas D1 Ambassadors squad out of the Houston area has played only 4 games together and are still defining their roles. They are very talented, but also very young with a freshman (6’6” B.J. Jones), and four sophomores. They are 6’8” Kendrick Morris (Houston Second Baptist), 6’8” Jonathan Motley (Galena Park Northshore), 6’7” Kalvin Singleterry (Van Vleck), and 6’11” Anthony Morris (Van Vleck). They get their leadership from their junior trio of 6’5” Combo Guard Alex Caruso (A&M Consolidated), 6’0” Combo Chase Brogna (Houston St. Thomas) & 6’7” Maurice Letcher-Ellis a high flyer from Houston Yates. D1 rounds out its roster with one unsigned senior in 6’9” Kenyon Willis of Crosby.

The score was 28-23 in favor of the Aussies at the half. A combination of poor execution and excellent team D by the Aussies held Texas D1 scoreless for the first 6 minutes of the second half causing them to run out to a 17 point lead. In danger of getting blown out the D1 backcourt came alive. Two key three pointers by Brogna (the second tied the game at 57-57 with 20 seconds left) & two dunks by Caruso (one was a poster job) keyed the rally. With the clock running down the Aussies slipped a screen and they finished at the bucket with an “and 1” layup to seal the win. Great ball game!

Australian G Hugh Greenwood smiles the thrill of vicory as he's flanked by Texas D1 Ambassadors guards 2012 Devon Turk (left) & 2012 Alex Carso (right) who bite their lips through the agony of defeat.

The Texas D1 Ambassadors are proud to have represented their community, Texas & their country in international competition and fellowship.  Over the years we have gone 11-1 including a tour of France where they were undefeated, as well as domestic wins over teams from Japan, Chile & Mexico (3 times). The Aussies broke that streak and were a worthy opponent. We wish them well-Coach Max Ivany