Texas D1 Ambassadors Go 3-0 In adidas Elite 8 in the Desert

It has been a long, but productive day in the Phoenix heat for the Texas D1 Ambassadors. They wrapped up pool play against a couple of solid opponents, including a tough late game matchup over Orange County (CA).  They head to bracket play early Sunday morning against an opponent to be determined.  This was one of those days where everyone made contributions, yet nobody stood head and shoulders above anyone else, with all 10 players seeing significant & meaningful minutes.  This should have us fresh for the bracket play tomorrow which will require 4 wins to take home the 'ship.

Texas D1 Ambassadors-Houston  66  West Coast Elite (CA)  46
With 15 minutes left in the second half and only a one point lead, Texas D1 went on a big run and won going away.  2012 Alex Caruso had 13 points, 3 assists, 3 steals & 4 rebounds while 2012 Chase Brogna had 11 points & added 3 assists.  2011 G Jalen Washington  had 8 points & 8 rebounds.

Texas D1 Ambassadors-Houston  68  CTB All Stars (AZ)  41
CTB was made up mostly of players from Westwind Prep School located in Phoenix, AZ.  They shot the ball well, but had no answers for Texas D1's height and athleticism.  2012 G Devon Truk led with 14 points and 2013 F 6'8" Johnathan Motley one of Texas' top emerging big men had 12 points & 9 boards.  2011 Mark Nwakamma had 6 points & controlled the boards, snagging 11 of them.
Texas D1 Ambassadors-Houston  54  Orange County (CA)  47
Falling beind 13-1, Texas D1 out on an amzing 5 niunte run to go into the half with a 26-24 lead.  2011 Keynan Willis blocked 3 shots in a row & followed that up by running the floor and finishing with 3 emphatic dunks.  The second half was nip and tuck as Orange County went up 45-43.  Texas D1 ended the game on a 11-2 run, including 4 straight free throws from 2012 Chase Brogna to seal the deal. Nwakamma had 10 points while 2012 F Maurice Letcher-Ellis had 10 points and 6 boards.

In other notes, San Antonio Brennan's Johnny Azzinarro, one of my favorite lead guards in the Class of 2013 was in uniform with the Arizona Dream Team, leading them to a 2-1 record in Day One.  Azzinarro's family has temporarily relocated to the Phoenix area but they expect to be back in the Alamo City come the school year.   Also moonlighting for CTB was Austin St. Stephen's Parth Vakil as his Ambassadors Austin team had the week off.

2013 Johnny Azzinaro

There was a Brandon Webster sighting in the desert as the 6'10" post was attending the predraft camp at Grand Canyon University when I dropped by to see the workouts and take our guys on a campus visit.

Brandon Webster (Fresno State) goes strong to tbe cup vs Boise State in a game in 2009.

When I walked in to Grand Canyon University yesterday to watch some of the predraft workouts, I hear a "What's up Coach Max?" from Texas D1 Ambassadors & Bryan High alum Brandon Webster.  Big Webb has lost weight and looks good as he looks to continue his pro career.  He was in El Salvador most recently.  Best of luck, Webb from the D1 Ambassadors Family!-Coach Max