Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Baton Rouge Glen Oaks Wins Woodlawn (LA) Tournament
Baton Rouge Glen Oaks rolled to the Championship at the Woodlawn Tournament held in Baton Rouge. Texas D-1 Ambassadors player 2010 W 6'6" Brian Williams who is committed to Okalhoma State was the MVP. He is pictured 2nd from left. 2011 P 6'6" Tre Drye, who also played on the D-1 Ambassadors top team this past summer is pictured in back with his finger in the air. He was named to the All Tournament Team. Congratulations! Coach Max
Monday, November 23, 2009
Garnica Meter Is Spinning : 579
San Antonio Lee's Paul Garnica (Northern Colorado) pictured here with the Texas D-1 Ambassadors in Memphis giving G Joe Jackson (Memphis) the business.
*************************************** 579 ***************************************
Like a utility meter on a 100 degree South Texas Day, the Garnica Meter is spinning out of control. This meter goes backwards though, in countdown mode as the 2011 PG from San Antonio Lee looks to put the Career Scoring Record for the City of San Antonio in his pocket along with countless other awards.
Garnica, who has signed to play for Northern Colorado in the Big Sky Conference entered the year needing 816 points to break former San Antonio Spur and West Campus star Devin Brown's mark. In his first 7 contests he has dropped 237 points, including 54 against Boerne Champion. This topped his career best of 53 set last season against San Antonio Reagan.
Like a utility meter on a 100 degree South Texas Day, the Garnica Meter is spinning out of control. This meter goes backwards though, in countdown mode as the 2011 PG from San Antonio Lee looks to put the Career Scoring Record for the City of San Antonio in his pocket along with countless other awards.
Garnica, who has signed to play for Northern Colorado in the Big Sky Conference entered the year needing 816 points to break former San Antonio Spur and West Campus star Devin Brown's mark. In his first 7 contests he has dropped 237 points, including 54 against Boerne Champion. This topped his career best of 53 set last season against San Antonio Reagan.
Austin Area Round Up
Just got back from the Houston McDonald's Invitational where Austin basketball fans have a lot to be proud of. Your Westlake Chaps came within a hair of beating hometown Bellaire in an exciting Championship game.
While I was gone, here are the following highlights from Austin (according to recaps from the Statesman.)
Austin Bowie 71 Austin Crockett 27
2011 G Paul Baxter (son of Texas ex player Ron Baxter) dropped 22 to lead Coach C.C. Collier's Bulldogs.
Pflugerville 92 Killeen 83
2011 G Deon Mitchell and 2010 W Demetris Smith (Lamar) each had 20 for The Ville.
Lake Travis edged Vista Ridge 50-45 behind Davd David Eads (M.I.T.) 13 points.
Del Valle 50 Round Rock McNeil 38. 2011 W Karim York had 16 for the Cardinals.
Hyde Park's 2011 W Brooks Pawsat continues to average 20 plus per game in the early going for the resurgent private school program.
Austin LBJ 75 Round Rock 61
2010 G Donald Dallas had 26 and 2011 G Rodney Lee had 21 for the Jags.
Akins 53 Georgetown 38 2011 PG Yolonzo Moore has turned it up for Akins and leads them in scoring as well as running the team. He had 23.
2011 G Jake Kocher is my bet to lead the City of Austin in scoring this year. He's had games of 29, 24, 3 (suffered a concussion early), 32, 23, 31, and 35. This kid's a scorer from all areas of the floor, as well as an outstanding perimeter shooter.
While I was gone, here are the following highlights from Austin (according to recaps from the Statesman.)
Austin Bowie 71 Austin Crockett 27
2011 G Paul Baxter (son of Texas ex player Ron Baxter) dropped 22 to lead Coach C.C. Collier's Bulldogs.
Pflugerville 92 Killeen 83
2011 G Deon Mitchell and 2010 W Demetris Smith (Lamar) each had 20 for The Ville.
Lake Travis edged Vista Ridge 50-45 behind Davd David Eads (M.I.T.) 13 points.
Del Valle 50 Round Rock McNeil 38. 2011 W Karim York had 16 for the Cardinals.
Hyde Park's 2011 W Brooks Pawsat continues to average 20 plus per game in the early going for the resurgent private school program.
Austin LBJ 75 Round Rock 61
2010 G Donald Dallas had 26 and 2011 G Rodney Lee had 21 for the Jags.
Akins 53 Georgetown 38 2011 PG Yolonzo Moore has turned it up for Akins and leads them in scoring as well as running the team. He had 23.
2011 G Jake Kocher is my bet to lead the City of Austin in scoring this year. He's had games of 29, 24, 3 (suffered a concussion early), 32, 23, 31, and 35. This kid's a scorer from all areas of the floor, as well as an outstanding perimeter shooter.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Houston Bellaire 50 Austin Westlake 47
Rick Barnes had gotten himself ANOTHER good one. 2011 G Sheldon McClellan, a Texas commit was the difference as he scored 23 to lead Bellaire to the Championship. He was my Championship Game MVP. McClellan slashed to the goal any time he wanted. If not for 2010 P 6'9" Gus Leeper guarding the goal, he would have dropped 35. Once Leeper was in foul trouble, McClellan really hurt Westlake.
One final timeout and a chance at a game tieing 3 pointer. (#33 Conner Kemper) listens to Coach Ellis during the TO.
Below: Bellaire's 6'8" Toby Oyedeji (Texas A&M) was the Tournament MVP at the McDonald's Invitational
One final timeout and a chance at a game tieing 3 pointer. (#33 Conner Kemper) listens to Coach Ellis during the TO.
Below: Bellaire's 6'8" Toby Oyedeji (Texas A&M) was the Tournament MVP at the McDonald's Invitational
It's been a long 3 days and lots of basketball and now we're down to two teams in the Gold Division One Championship of the McDOnald's Invitational Tournament being held in Pasadena, TX. If the game were played on paper, then the championship would be handed to Bellaire in advance. But...it's not! Austin Westlake has talent of their own, and a couple of Division One signees. Here comes the tip off.
After 3 minutes of play it's tied at 2-2. Both teams have had a few ragged possessions and the Big Uns: Bellaire's Toby Oyedeji (Texas A&M) and Westlake's Gus Leeper (Arkansas-Little Rock) have a couple of blocks a piece. The first "ooo-ahhh" of the game was garnered by Westlake's Cody Doolin who split three defenders and laid it up in traffic for the deuce. Doolin follows with a LONG triple and the Chaps are up 9-7 with 2:18 to play in the first. Big three pointer by Conner Kemper forces a Bellaire timeout. Westlake 12-7. Gus Leeper has 5 blocks in the quarter.
At the beginning of the 2nd, Carl Meyertons picks up his 2nd foul, and 2012 Drew Wikelius gets thrown into the fire. The score is tied at 15. Leeper has also picked up his 2nd foul for Westlake. Sheldon McClellan (Texas) has scored several transition buckets to lead Bellaire with 9. Bellaire has called 3 TO's already! With 4:25 left in the half Bellaire leads 18-17 on a Jamel Outler (Texas Tech) layup. Big dunk by Kene Anyigbo (Western Kentucky). He gets a tech for swinging on the rim. Bellaire is really making Doolin work, double teaming him on every possession, the length of the court. Doolin makes a great And 1 with a player draped all over him. Westlake 24-22 with 2:00 left. Doolin adds two more FT's. It's a heck of a HS game, folks!
At the half, Cody Doolin (San Francsico has 11 and Sheldon McClellan (Texas) has 12. Bellaire is doing a good job of making Doolin work hard. However, once they got in the bonus he made them pay at the charity stripe. Big Gus Leeper has to stay out of foul trouble. Big Toby was held scoreless in the half. How often does that happen? Westlake is doing a great job of doubling down on him as soon as he touches the ball.
Bellaire's 2010 PG Sebastian Douglass has a nice And 1 to start the half. Right now Sheldon McClellan is killing Westlake. He picked up his 3rd foul and then Leeper picked up his 4th. This makes things tough on Westlake on the boards. Bellaire leads 32-27 with 6:00 left in the 3rd quarter. There's Oyedeji's first points of the game, a rim rattler! Big Kene Anyigbo has picked up his 4th foul for Bellaire. Boom..Sebastian Douglass has picked up his 4th. Depth will decide this game. Who will step up? Conner Kemper who was ice cold hits a big triple and the score is 38-34 Bellaire at the end of 3Q's
Oyedji opens the half with a baby hook, but quickly picks up his 3rd foul. This is a spirited game. Meyertons answers with 2 FT's. McClellan gets another And 1 with Hagen Fell draped all over him. He's been the difference thus far. Kemper hits 1-2 FT's. Bellaire 43-37 with 6:30 left. Hagen Fell for 3! Big hook shot by Leeper. 44-42 Bellaire and Westlake is now shooting the 1 and 1. Big three by Kemper. Westlake 45-44 with 3:12 left. McClellan is on the line. He makes them both. This was worth the ride hone at 2AM from Houston....Wow. Doolin scraps for a loose ball on the floor and get s a TO. Bellaire has the ball off a Westlake miss. They spread the floor and burn about 20 seconds before Coach Bruce Glover calls a TO. 46-45 Bellaire with 1:48 to play. Bellaire had 4 offensive rebounds and couldn't convert. Kemper grabs a big board, and Anyigbo is fouled out. Kemper hits both ends of the one and one. Westlake 47-46 with 1:22 to play. Douglass for Bellaire! Westlake misses and puts Bellaire on the line with 35 seconds to go. McClellan hits them both and he has 23 for the Cardinals. Kemper rims a three in and out, but the ball is OB off Bellaire. Westlake calls TO and looks to get a chance at a three to tie the game with only 20 seconds left. Doolin's long three rattles our, and Westlake gets the offensive board with 8 seconds left. Great D by Bellaire. Westlake could not get a shot off. 50-47. Great game!
1st Quarter Austin Westlake 12 Houston Bellaire 9
Half Austin Westlake 27 Houston Bellaire 24
After 3 minutes of play it's tied at 2-2. Both teams have had a few ragged possessions and the Big Uns: Bellaire's Toby Oyedeji (Texas A&M) and Westlake's Gus Leeper (Arkansas-Little Rock) have a couple of blocks a piece. The first "ooo-ahhh" of the game was garnered by Westlake's Cody Doolin who split three defenders and laid it up in traffic for the deuce. Doolin follows with a LONG triple and the Chaps are up 9-7 with 2:18 to play in the first. Big three pointer by Conner Kemper forces a Bellaire timeout. Westlake 12-7. Gus Leeper has 5 blocks in the quarter.
At the beginning of the 2nd, Carl Meyertons picks up his 2nd foul, and 2012 Drew Wikelius gets thrown into the fire. The score is tied at 15. Leeper has also picked up his 2nd foul for Westlake. Sheldon McClellan (Texas) has scored several transition buckets to lead Bellaire with 9. Bellaire has called 3 TO's already! With 4:25 left in the half Bellaire leads 18-17 on a Jamel Outler (Texas Tech) layup. Big dunk by Kene Anyigbo (Western Kentucky). He gets a tech for swinging on the rim. Bellaire is really making Doolin work, double teaming him on every possession, the length of the court. Doolin makes a great And 1 with a player draped all over him. Westlake 24-22 with 2:00 left. Doolin adds two more FT's. It's a heck of a HS game, folks!
At the half, Cody Doolin (San Francsico has 11 and Sheldon McClellan (Texas) has 12. Bellaire is doing a good job of making Doolin work hard. However, once they got in the bonus he made them pay at the charity stripe. Big Gus Leeper has to stay out of foul trouble. Big Toby was held scoreless in the half. How often does that happen? Westlake is doing a great job of doubling down on him as soon as he touches the ball.
Bellaire's 2010 PG Sebastian Douglass has a nice And 1 to start the half. Right now Sheldon McClellan is killing Westlake. He picked up his 3rd foul and then Leeper picked up his 4th. This makes things tough on Westlake on the boards. Bellaire leads 32-27 with 6:00 left in the 3rd quarter. There's Oyedeji's first points of the game, a rim rattler! Big Kene Anyigbo has picked up his 4th foul for Bellaire. Boom..Sebastian Douglass has picked up his 4th. Depth will decide this game. Who will step up? Conner Kemper who was ice cold hits a big triple and the score is 38-34 Bellaire at the end of 3Q's
Oyedji opens the half with a baby hook, but quickly picks up his 3rd foul. This is a spirited game. Meyertons answers with 2 FT's. McClellan gets another And 1 with Hagen Fell draped all over him. He's been the difference thus far. Kemper hits 1-2 FT's. Bellaire 43-37 with 6:30 left. Hagen Fell for 3! Big hook shot by Leeper. 44-42 Bellaire and Westlake is now shooting the 1 and 1. Big three by Kemper. Westlake 45-44 with 3:12 left. McClellan is on the line. He makes them both. This was worth the ride hone at 2AM from Houston....Wow. Doolin scraps for a loose ball on the floor and get s a TO. Bellaire has the ball off a Westlake miss. They spread the floor and burn about 20 seconds before Coach Bruce Glover calls a TO. 46-45 Bellaire with 1:48 to play. Bellaire had 4 offensive rebounds and couldn't convert. Kemper grabs a big board, and Anyigbo is fouled out. Kemper hits both ends of the one and one. Westlake 47-46 with 1:22 to play. Douglass for Bellaire! Westlake misses and puts Bellaire on the line with 35 seconds to go. McClellan hits them both and he has 23 for the Cardinals. Kemper rims a three in and out, but the ball is OB off Bellaire. Westlake calls TO and looks to get a chance at a three to tie the game with only 20 seconds left. Doolin's long three rattles our, and Westlake gets the offensive board with 8 seconds left. Great D by Bellaire. Westlake could not get a shot off. 50-47. Great game!
1st Quarter Austin Westlake 12 Houston Bellaire 9
Half Austin Westlake 27 Houston Bellaire 24
3rd Bellaire 38 Austin Westlake 34
Final Houston Bellaire 50 Austin Westlake 47
Friday, November 20, 2009
Austin Westlake 70 North Crowley 65
Austin Westlake Coaches; Head Man Tres Ellis, and Assistant Rob Lucero have had lots to grin about in the early going as Austin Westlake is now 5-0, including 4 wins here at the competitive McDonald's Invitational. Bellaire will try and rain on their parade tomorrow evening in the tournament championship
2010 PG Cody Doolin of Austin Westlake was all smiles after Austin Westlake's semi final win over North Crowly at the McDonald's Invitational
Austin Westlake continued it's strong run at the McDonald's Invitational tonight with a hard fought win over a young, but talented North Crowley team. Behind 20-16 after the 1st quarter, its the first game Westlake had to remain composed, and was required to fight through numerous lead changes and tie scores.
2011 G Kyan Anderson of North Crowley showed why he's one of the country's top PG prospects showing nice court vision and got to the rim with ease. Problem was, when he got there especially late in the game he was met by 6'9" Gus Leeper who swatted several shots and altered many others. Anderson is being recruited by Oklahoma, USC and Wake Forest amongs others per the North Crowley coaching staff.
Once again, Cody Doolin came out on top despite being hounded all game by 2011 G Cameron Price, and Kyan Anderson. Doolin had 23 points and several key steals from the North Crowley backcourt players. He's deceptively long in the arms, along with a tremendous nose for the ball.
North Crowley was down by two with under a minute, but clutch 4-4 FT shooting by 2010 W Conner Kemper allowed Westlake to shut the door for the win. Kemper also dropped 23 points and is becoming much tougher on the boards.
Tomorrow evening matches hometown Bellaire against the Chaps in their ultimate test of the season. Bellaire may be the most talented 5A team in the State of Texas. They are chock full of High D-1 prospects, as follows:
2010 P 6'9" Toby Ojediyi (Texas A&M)
2010 P 6'6" Kene Anyigbo (rumored to Western Kentucky)
2010 G 6'4" Jamel Outler (Texas Tech)
2011 G 6'5" Sheldon McClellan (Texas)
The wildcard may be unsigned Senior PG 6'5" Sebastian Douglass who moved back from New York and is another nice prospect. Should be a packed house and a great atmosphere for high school basketball.
2011 G Kyan Anderson of North Crowley showed why he's one of the country's top PG prospects showing nice court vision and got to the rim with ease. Problem was, when he got there especially late in the game he was met by 6'9" Gus Leeper who swatted several shots and altered many others. Anderson is being recruited by Oklahoma, USC and Wake Forest amongs others per the North Crowley coaching staff.
Once again, Cody Doolin came out on top despite being hounded all game by 2011 G Cameron Price, and Kyan Anderson. Doolin had 23 points and several key steals from the North Crowley backcourt players. He's deceptively long in the arms, along with a tremendous nose for the ball.
North Crowley was down by two with under a minute, but clutch 4-4 FT shooting by 2010 W Conner Kemper allowed Westlake to shut the door for the win. Kemper also dropped 23 points and is becoming much tougher on the boards.
Tomorrow evening matches hometown Bellaire against the Chaps in their ultimate test of the season. Bellaire may be the most talented 5A team in the State of Texas. They are chock full of High D-1 prospects, as follows:
2010 P 6'9" Toby Ojediyi (Texas A&M)
2010 P 6'6" Kene Anyigbo (rumored to Western Kentucky)
2010 G 6'4" Jamel Outler (Texas Tech)
2011 G 6'5" Sheldon McClellan (Texas)
The wildcard may be unsigned Senior PG 6'5" Sebastian Douglass who moved back from New York and is another nice prospect. Should be a packed house and a great atmosphere for high school basketball.
Austin Westlake 84 Fort Bend Marshall 74
2010 P 6'9" Gus Leeper of Austin Westlake has been holding a "Block Party" and is inviting all comers to attend at the McDonald's Invitational.
This was Westlake's first test of the year where they were "out-athleted". Playing without 2011 G Hagen Fell who took a hard fall to the hardwood against West Monroe, the Chapparals bench was further tested. Of course they didn't have to go too far down the bench at the lead guard position as 2010 PG Cody Doolin (San Francisco) didn't take a minute's rest.
Doolin dropped 30, including 9-10 from the FT line in the 4th quarter. He also added 5 steals, 5 assists and 7 rebounds to dominate the stat line. Doolin's summer team mate with the Texas D-1 Ambassadors, 2010 W 6'6" Conner Kemper added 16 points and 8 rebounds. M.I.T. bound 2010 Carl Meyertons added 14 and 6 rebounds for Westlake. 2010 Jason Powell added 10, and Big Gus Leeper (Arkansas-Little Rock) had 7, 8 rebounds and several key blocks.
Westlake plays DFW powerhouse, North Crowley at 7:30 tonight.
This was Westlake's first test of the year where they were "out-athleted". Playing without 2011 G Hagen Fell who took a hard fall to the hardwood against West Monroe, the Chapparals bench was further tested. Of course they didn't have to go too far down the bench at the lead guard position as 2010 PG Cody Doolin (San Francisco) didn't take a minute's rest.Doolin dropped 30, including 9-10 from the FT line in the 4th quarter. He also added 5 steals, 5 assists and 7 rebounds to dominate the stat line. Doolin's summer team mate with the Texas D-1 Ambassadors, 2010 W 6'6" Conner Kemper added 16 points and 8 rebounds. M.I.T. bound 2010 Carl Meyertons added 14 and 6 rebounds for Westlake. 2010 Jason Powell added 10, and Big Gus Leeper (Arkansas-Little Rock) had 7, 8 rebounds and several key blocks.
Westlake plays DFW powerhouse, North Crowley at 7:30 tonight.
San Antonio Madison 43 Kingwood Park 39
What a difference a year makes. This time last season, San Antonio Madison was Cinderella at the McDonald's Invitational in Pasadena, TX. They stole the glass slipper right off the foot of the Duncanville Powerhouse. Fast forward to 2009 and Madison had all they could handle in eking out a 4 point win over a mediocre Kingwood Park team in it's second year of varsity basketball. Of course, you lose a couple of D-1 guys in Cameron Catlett (UT-Arlington) and athletic W Jonathan Landry (Coppin State) and it's a lot to make up. Having seen Madison last week, the Magic is gone. This will be a tough year as their athleticism is down. Of course, tough for them could still mean 20 plus wins. Their best two prospects are youngsters, 2013 PG Travon Landry is a gem. He handled himself real well v San Antonio Wagner in the opener, but today had a so so outing. That went for all the starters. Coach Valenzuela put his bench in for the latter part of the 3rd quarter and part of the 4th and it was them that clawed their way back into the game. Point proven to the starters. I really respect Valenzuela's demeanor and integrity that he has to his coaching style. (I don't know him personally but everyone says it's how he conducts his personal life as well).
Finally in the last few minutes, 2012 W 6'6' Christopher Campbell started to take up the scoring slack finishing with a team leading 14 points, including 4-4 from the charity stripe when it really counted. Jamaal Johnson (Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo finished with 10. He had an 0-8 shooting day before he finally got to the hole for a layup in the 3rd quarter. UT-San Antonio commit Tyler Woods could not get in synch today. He was in foul trouble from the get go and was held scoreless.
This is a well run event, but I've been shackled by the overlap of start times and have not been able to see San Antonio Taft, and barely cuaght 5 minutes of San Antonio Warren's 12 point loss to Houston Chavez. Chris Freeman a 2011 W who stands 6'4" and is athletic as they come continues to impress me as a prospect for Warren.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Austin Westlake 54 West Monroe (LA) 47
2010 G Keaton Lancashire has given Austin Westlake some timely buckets and a host of hustle plays. 
Westlake started off a little slow (perhaps travel legs?) for it's second straight game. West Monroe is an athletic, scrappy bunch, but they really don't have a post presence. They are a collection of guards and slashers who are getting in Westlake's shirts on D. Early foul trouble by Gus Leeper has necessitated Kemper, Meyertons and 2012 Drew Wikelius to step up and give some quality interior defensive minutes. This is a depth check for Westlake.
Successive And 1 buckets by Cody Doolin to end the half gives Westlake a 30-25 lead at the break. At the half. Doolin has 11 and Kemper has 9.
In the 3rd this is becoming a spirited game. West Monroe has scrapped back from 7 down to tie it at 37..but wait Big Gus Leeper has blocked two shots in a row and Westlake is off and running to a 4 point lead to end the quarter. Leeper definitely has become an intimidator in the paint.
Leeper is back on the bench with foul trouble and 2011 G Hagen Fell has hurt his back/tailbone. This is another good test for Westlake. Let's see if the bench guys rise to the occasion. Westlake has gone up by 9 with 3:30 to play. Kemper has stepped up as well as 2010 G Keaton Lancashire. Coach Ellis turned to me and said, "Gosh, I have to coach a little" I like this test, I give Westlake a B-. They won one they should have, but did overcome a little bit of adversity. Good win down the stretch as Westlake went deep into it's bench to take care of business.
1st Quarter West Monroe 12 Austin Westlake 11
Half Austin Westlake 30 West Monroe 25
3rd Austin Westlake 41 West Monroe 37
Final Austin Westlake 54 West Monroe 47
Westlake started off a little slow (perhaps travel legs?) for it's second straight game. West Monroe is an athletic, scrappy bunch, but they really don't have a post presence. They are a collection of guards and slashers who are getting in Westlake's shirts on D. Early foul trouble by Gus Leeper has necessitated Kemper, Meyertons and 2012 Drew Wikelius to step up and give some quality interior defensive minutes. This is a depth check for Westlake. Successive And 1 buckets by Cody Doolin to end the half gives Westlake a 30-25 lead at the break. At the half. Doolin has 11 and Kemper has 9.
In the 3rd this is becoming a spirited game. West Monroe has scrapped back from 7 down to tie it at 37..but wait Big Gus Leeper has blocked two shots in a row and Westlake is off and running to a 4 point lead to end the quarter. Leeper definitely has become an intimidator in the paint.
Leeper is back on the bench with foul trouble and 2011 G Hagen Fell has hurt his back/tailbone. This is another good test for Westlake. Let's see if the bench guys rise to the occasion. Westlake has gone up by 9 with 3:30 to play. Kemper has stepped up as well as 2010 G Keaton Lancashire. Coach Ellis turned to me and said, "Gosh, I have to coach a little" I like this test, I give Westlake a B-. They won one they should have, but did overcome a little bit of adversity. Good win down the stretch as Westlake went deep into it's bench to take care of business.
1st Quarter West Monroe 12 Austin Westlake 11
Half Austin Westlake 30 West Monroe 25
3rd Austin Westlake 41 West Monroe 37
Final Austin Westlake 54 West Monroe 47
Austin Westlake 62 Humble 38
2010 W Conner Kemper is shooting the ball well and competing hard on the boards for Austin Westlake.
Austin Westlake rolled over Shcertz Clemens in it's opener on Tuesday, but things get serious starting now with their matchup with Humble in the McDonald's Pasadena (Houston) InvitationalTournament. They're my pre season "Paper Tiger". They have everything it takes to get to the Drum in March out of Region 4.
They've got a shotblocker in 6'9" Gus Leeper (Arkansas-Little Rock), a scoring point guard in Cody Doolin (San Francisco), a 6'6" deadeye shooting wing in 2010 Conner Kemper as well as a host of other rebounders including M.I.T. bound Carl Meyertons who does a lot of the dirty work (and is likely pretty good at Jeopardy too..lol)
The first half was pretty much non descript. Westlake led by 7 (25-18) on the back of a quick 9 points by W Conner Kemper and the stellar play of PG Cody Doolin, who despite a mediocre 1st half shooting the ball still had 8 points. P Gus Leeper is making his presence felt as he has 5 blocks. Humble seems to have limited ballhandling and a thin bench. Westlake is committed to it's press. I think they should take over in the 2nd half as Humble looks ready to wilt.
Westlake started the 3rd quarter on a 13-0 run. Leeper is now close to double digits in blocks, and it's keying the break for easy layups as well as several nice pull up jumpers in the 8-12 foot range by Doolin in transition. Leeper is now sporting a nice looking face up shot out to 17 feet.
Leading Scorers
Cody Doolin 19
Conner Kemper 14
1st Quarter Austin Westlake 12 Humble 9
Half Time Austin Westlake 25 Humble 18
3rd Quarter Austin Westlake 46 Humble 31
Final Austin Westlake 62 Humble 38
Austin Westlake rolled over Shcertz Clemens in it's opener on Tuesday, but things get serious starting now with their matchup with Humble in the McDonald's Pasadena (Houston) InvitationalTournament. They're my pre season "Paper Tiger". They have everything it takes to get to the Drum in March out of Region 4.They've got a shotblocker in 6'9" Gus Leeper (Arkansas-Little Rock), a scoring point guard in Cody Doolin (San Francisco), a 6'6" deadeye shooting wing in 2010 Conner Kemper as well as a host of other rebounders including M.I.T. bound Carl Meyertons who does a lot of the dirty work (and is likely pretty good at Jeopardy too..lol)
The first half was pretty much non descript. Westlake led by 7 (25-18) on the back of a quick 9 points by W Conner Kemper and the stellar play of PG Cody Doolin, who despite a mediocre 1st half shooting the ball still had 8 points. P Gus Leeper is making his presence felt as he has 5 blocks. Humble seems to have limited ballhandling and a thin bench. Westlake is committed to it's press. I think they should take over in the 2nd half as Humble looks ready to wilt.
Westlake started the 3rd quarter on a 13-0 run. Leeper is now close to double digits in blocks, and it's keying the break for easy layups as well as several nice pull up jumpers in the 8-12 foot range by Doolin in transition. Leeper is now sporting a nice looking face up shot out to 17 feet.
Leading Scorers
Cody Doolin 19
Conner Kemper 14
1st Quarter Austin Westlake 12 Humble 9
Half Time Austin Westlake 25 Humble 18
3rd Quarter Austin Westlake 46 Humble 31
Final Austin Westlake 62 Humble 38
McAllen 66 Pasadena Memorial 37
McAllen's 2010 W 6'7" J.J. Avila had 19 for to lead McHi.
Coach Roy Swift hopes to get McAllen over the hump in the Regional Finals this coming spring. (Don't count out Laredo United though)
I'm here in Houston, TX at the McDonald's Invitational, looking forward to seeing two quality 5A teams from Region 4 play in this afternoon's Doubleheader at Pasadean Memorial HS. Both have aspirations of getting to the Drum in early March. Those teams are McAllen High and Austin Westlake who will not play each other due to the seeding format. McHi is in the Silver Division, while a highly regarded Westlake team is taking on the Big Boys in the Gold.The McDonald's Tourny is loaded with talent. Last year San Antonio Madison captured lightning in a bottle and had a story book tournament and brought home the Gold Championship to the Alamo City with a thrilling victory over a talented Duncanville squad in the final.
If there's a season for McHi to break that glass ceiling of getting to Regionals but not being able to get to State, this is it. There aren't too many times that a team from the Rio Grande Valley or Laredo area sports a 6'7" four year letterman who can shoot it from the perimeter, put it on the floor and isn't afraid to mix it up on the boards.
If there's a season for McHi to break that glass ceiling of getting to Regionals but not being able to get to State, this is it. There aren't too many times that a team from the Rio Grande Valley or Laredo area sports a 6'7" four year letterman who can shoot it from the perimeter, put it on the floor and isn't afraid to mix it up on the boards.Quite honestly it's tough to assess how good McHi can be this year, because Pasadena Memorial is not a very good basketball team. With about a 1000 of their own students spurring them on, there's still nothing to rave about. They are undersized and not particularly skilled. Having said that, it looks like PG Nevin Franks is much improved from last year when Wagner intimidated him and most of the other Bulldogs into a turnover machine. We'll see if McHi can handle pressure better this season as the tournament plays out. That's been their Achilles the past two seasons. If Coach Roy Swift can raise the bar on their ballhandling, that will be the key to beating a San Antonio Wagner/Austin Westlake style of team that brings the heat.
2010 Pg Nevin Franks shows and improved perimeter shot and ball handling confidence. McHi is big enough with 2010 6'6" Ryan Evans & 2010 P 6'5" David Atkinson. However, neither is particularly mobile on the perimeter and will be succeptible to mismatches with big D-1 caliber wings who can shoot the ball from beyond the arc, such as Wagner's 6'7" Andre Roberson and Westlake's 6'6" Conner Kemper. Having said that, they are hardworking kids who give 100%.
2010 PG Nevin Franks ball handling seems surer, and his perimeter set shot looks good. He had 11 points and multiple assists.
2010 P 6'7" J.J. Avila J.J. has improved his agility, extended his range, has a soft touch on his mid range and has also incorporated some nice low post footwork and perfected several nifty moves to finish down low in traffic. Continued development sees him become a bonafide college 3 man, although he certainly could also play the four spot and cause some mismatches on the offensive end. Avila finished with 19 points and double digit boards.
1st Quarter McHi 26 Pasadena Memorial 12
Half McHi 40 Pasadena Memorial 22
3rd McHi 55 Pasadena Memorial 28
Final McHi 66 Pasadena Memorial 37
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