Platinum Quarter Finals: Texas D1 Ambassadors-Houston 74 Belmont Shores (CA) 72
Belmont Shores boasted three high major commits in Grant Jarrett & Erci Cooper Jr who are both headed to the Arizona Wildcats. In addition they had Arizona State commit Maurice Kirby & 2014 sensation Stanley Johnson. Texas D1 has a few weapons of it's own though and they jumped on the Shore early, leading 43-34 at the half. Belmont Shore came roaring back and briefly took a one point lead. Each time Texas D1 went up by 4-6 points, the game came back to even again.
It looked like we had put the game away with a 5 point lead and 45 seconds left but missing the front end of three straight one and ones allowed Belmont Shores the opportunity to tie the game with 1.2 seconds left. Belmont Shores had the ball and inbounded it in their backcourt and Houston St. Thomas guard Chase Brogna intercepted the ball & quickly sent a floater to the hoop. The shot was blocked on the way down for an obvious goal tend and a great road win for the D1 Ambassadors.
2012 G Chase Brogna had 25 for Houston St. Thomas in the State Championship game. He has now turned his focus to the lead guard role on the spring/summer scene & is making quick strides.
This was a total team effort. Brogna, who is quickly adapting to his lead guard role had 14 points, including the game winner. Backcourt mate, 2012 Josh Hagins of Bossier City Airline (Louisiana) was a defensive stopper all day long. He had 5 points and 8 assists.
2012 G Josh Hagins was a 5A All State selection in the talent rich State of Louisiana & he showed why as he's a lock down defender, crafty ballhandler who plays with intensity.
2012 F 6'7" Maurice Letcher Ellis of Houston Yates consistently beat the Belmont Shores bigs back down the court and led the way with 14 points & 5 rebounds, while another of our promising youngster 2013 F 6'7" Parker Callendar of Clear Lake Clear Springs had 11 points, including three from beyond the arc. 2011 F Keynon "Slim" Willis of Crosby had 8 points & 12 rebounds.
2013 F 6'7" Parker Callendar is a deadeye three point shooter & one to watch in the Class of 2013
Obviously a little bit disappointed and irate at the same time about not making the top bracket play, the Centex D1 Ambassadors squad evened their tourny record at 2-2 with a thrashing of the Las Vegas Irish.
Leading scorers were:
2012 Connor Lammert 18
2011 Austin Jenkins 16
2012 Jeffrey Rodewald 15
2012 Uche Ofoegbu 12
2012 F 6'9" Connor Lammert of San Antonio Churchill is rapidly moving up the prospect ladder.
Platinum Semi Finals: Branch West (CA) 67 Texas D1 Ambassadors-Houston 54
Texas D1 bowed out of the tournament with a 5-1 record losing to a well coached Branch West squad. The kids were out of energy and only went 2-18 from beyond the arc. 2011 Keynon Willis led the way with 18 points & 10 rebounds, & 2013 F 6'8" Kendrick Morris of Houston Second Baptist battled on the boards, snagging 10. Morris is slender but skilled and has a bright future ahead of him.
2013 Kendrick Morris of Houston Second Baptist battles more mature players nose to nose
