Memorial Day Weekend-Saturday Report

Memorial Day Weekend is typically the end of the school year, and it's also the time when many teams make their first serious travel plans for the season.  Texas D1 has already been on the road numerous times including trips to Las Vegas, Phoenix & Denver and this weekend the groups are split between Dallas, Houston & Waco, TX.  Most teams still have players with conflicts over proms, family reunions, graduations & in some cases still studying for final exams as bad weather days have been tacked on to some schools calendars.  I must be getting old.  Did we ever go to school after Memorial Day???

Great American Shootout- Dallas, TX

Texas D1 Ambassadors-Hardge
Pool play results for Texas D1 Ambassadors-Austin were mediocre as they lost a close one late by a 62-57 score to the Dallas Mustangs.  They then followed that up by squandering a first half lead and losing to Corpus Christi Islanders 82-73 in one of the Super Pools.

It was the first tournament back for 2012 Allex Austin of San Marcos.  He is basketball rusty after taking three months off to high jump.  It was time well spent on the track though as he recorded the Nation's highes jump at 7'2", and then won the Texas State Championship with a 6'10" jump.  Austin is super bouncy and long.  He looks to have grown almost two inches and is right near 6'7".

2012 Allex Austin of San Marcos

Saturday also marked the return of 2012 Matt Gramling of San Antonio MacArthur.  The 6'2" combo was also a little rusty but looks super strong.  He's been nursing hamstring injuries and prepping for a senior year where he'll likely play QB for the Brahmas as well.  Gramling has a "soft verbal" to Army at the moment.  He recently visited Lafayette, but still is open to the right alternative if it arises.  I expect him to have a great summer.

2012 Matt Gramling of San Antonio MacArthur

Texas D1 Ambassadors-San Antonio

Coach Josephs was considering taking the weekend off when 6'9" Connor Lammert & 6'7" Shelby Lane had family functions causing them to miss this weekend's action.  This created opportunity for other players though and it also marked the return of San Antonio Player of the Year, Cole Martinez of San Antonio Central Catholic. He didn't disappoint as the area's #1 shooter who is committed to Air Force had scoring totals of 25 & 23 in his two outings. 

Left: 2011 Cole Martinez (Air Force) & Right: 2012 Adam Perez of San Antonio Clark

 
Another dual sport athlete to watch out for is 2012 F 6'5" Aaron Ramirez of tiny 2A Santa Rosa.   It was also his first hoops action of the spring. He's built like a brick wall and nearly tore the rim down twice as he freaked the oop vs the Houston Lynx, finishing with 18 points. 

Texas D1 Ambassadors-San Antonio scored an 82-63 win over Texas Blue Chips and then overcame a 9 point first half deficit to finish off the Houston Lynx 88-72.

Franchise All Stars Memorial Day Tournament-Houston, TX

Franchize All Stars 74 Texas D1 Ambassadors-Houston  61
Franchize broke open a close game late by knocking down free throws as they won going away, despite 2012 Devon Turk's 24 points & 2011 Keynan Willis' 12 points & 5 boards.  Josh Gray of Houston Christian Life & Bahamian star Wannah Bail led the Franchize All Stars.

Devon Turk of Houston St. Pius

Texas D1 Ambassadors-Houston  71  Pearland Stars 38
In one of those "filler" pool games, everyone got in on the act as Texas D1 was led by 2012 Chase Brogna with 15, Devon Turk had 12 & 2012 Alex Caruso also chipped in with a dozen.  2013 Johnathan Motley continues to show offensive improvement as the 6'8" F had 10 points, 5 rebounds & 2 blocks.

2012 Chase Brogna of Houston St. Thomas