Great American Shootout Day 2 (Pool Play)

Ahhhh..great to be back home in Texas.  Just landed from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and looking forward to catching as much action as possible of the D1 Nation at the Great American Shootout in the Big D.  The D1 Nation has a total of 10 teams competing through the various divisions. The 4 elite level squads boast close to 30 D1 prospects in the Class of 2012 alone!

Texas D1 Ambassadors-San Antonio 67  Oregon D1 Ambassadors  38
In a "family feud" two D1 Nation teams were super pooled.  One showed up, while the Oregon kids were still jet lagged on West Coast time.  2012 G Uche Ofoegbu led the way with 17 points.  The ultra athletic Ofoegbu has also been rebounding like a demon in the tournament's first two games. 2012 Jeffrey Rodewald of San Antonio Alamo Heights also had 14 points as they breezed to the win.

2012 Uche Ofoegbu is leaving no doubt that he's a high major guard prospect

Texas Assault  64  Texas D1 Ambassadors-San Antonio 59

The folks at Texas Hoops billed it as the matchup of the day and apparently the Division 1 coaches must have received the memo as they were packed shoulder to shoulder (about 200 of them) for this clash of titans.  The game itself was riveting and the gym was surrounded by the college coaches/general public as the Dallas faithful came to worship favorite son, Marcus Smart of Flower Mound Marcus High School. 

These were matchups in past years that were shared between Houston an Dallas teams only, flexing their muscle for State bragging rights. Those days are gone.  The Texas D1 Ambassadors have put their stamp on great basketball coming out of the Austin-San Antonio area and any mention of groups of D1 prospects has the D1 Ambassadors solidly lumped in with the DFW/Houston teams.

With the partisan Dallas fans whooping it up, Texas Assault three times built 10 point leads and lookd as if they were about to deliver the knockout punch.  Each time, Coach Paul Josephs Texas D1-San Antonio squad dug in and came back to tie the game.  With 1:30 left the Assault lead had been cut to two, and as Marcus Smart readied for a transition dunk he was fouled hard but fair by Uche Ofoegbu who was inexplicably called for an intentional foul.  It proved to be the deciding factor as Smart and Company sealed the win 64-59.

Anyone who doubts Smart's ability or thinks he's only a power guard is very much mistaken.  I've become a huge fan over the last couple of months.  The kid has the total package.  Texas D1 was led by 2012 Uche Ofoegbu of San Antonio Stevens who is pulling himself up the ladder to being a sure fire impact player at the high major level.  He competed hard against smart and put up 25 points of his own.

Texas D1 Ambasadors-Houston  71   Colorado Chaos Elite  70

With two high major forward commits to Cal and Colorado there is no question that the Colorado Chaos Elite are a handful.  The Texas D1 Ambassadors-Houston had a 4-10 point lead for most of the game but the Colorado kids kept competing and would not go away. 

Enter the D1 Ambassadors latest addition in 2012 6'3" G Darryl Milburn Jr. from Baton Rouge McKinley.  After a serious ankle injury in the spring he concentrated on his rehab and summer school commitments.  Last night was his first bsketball game in two months.  It took a few minutes to shake the rust off but after that it was obvious why he's a Top 75 National Player in Rivals.com rankings.  He's toting a few extra pounds until he gets back into shape but he still had an immediate impact.  He had 17 points, including his trademark DEEP three ball (3 of them) and was extremely physical on defense. Milburn had great support from fellow sharp shooter Devon Turk of Houston St Pius who dropped 16, including three from behind the arc.

Just another shooting day at the beach for 2012 sniper Devon Turk of Houston St. Pius had 16.

Family First  79   Texas D1 Ambassadors-Houston 75

This was a see saw battle that wasn't decided until a couple late free throws by Family First.  Made up predominantly of players from Arlington Grace Prep, their roster includes a couple of future pros in 2014 Emmanuel Mundiay and 2012 7'2" Ike Austin the country's #2 ranked player.

2012 G Darryl Milburn of Baton Rouge McKinley made his debut on the circuit

Four D1 Ambassadors hit doube figures in front of about 150 college coaches.  They included 2012 Joshua Hagins of Bossier City Airline (13, 5 rebounds, 5 assists), 2012 Aly Mohamed of Houston Trent International (12), Darryl Milburn of Baton Rouge McKinley (11) and 2012 Chase Brogna of Houston St. Thomas (11).

Texas D1 Ambassadors-Austin 72   San Antonio Legends  62

It was deja vu all over again as the D1 Ambassadors-Austin beat the San Antonio Legends for a second time in three days (also won in The Jumpoff Event).  Their interior defense reduced the other team to jump shooters while Texas D1 attacked the rim and got to the freethrow line at will were they went 32-37 from the charity stripe.

There was no answer for 2012 F 6'6" Allex Austin, the country's #1 high jumper (7'2") as he had 22 points.  Austin is quickly moving up the ranks to be a high major recruit.  He'll be a combo track man/hooper at the next level.  He's long, obviously athletic and has a nice shooting touch out to the three point line.  He got great help from 2012 PG Mike Hardge (17 and 5 assists) and 2013 G T.J. Williams with 10 and 4 assists.  A nice shout out goes to 2012 F Casey Heller of Georgetown as he battled and finished with 8 hard fought rebounds in the win.

2012 Allex Austin of San Marcos continues to emerge.

All three of the Texas D1 squads; San Antonio, Austin and Houston went 2-1 in their respective super pools and appear poised to go deep into NBA bracket play.

Texas D1 Ambssadors 2014  71  Houston Force 50  (NCAA)

It's hard for me to be everywhere at once but if you get a chance come look at the D1 Ambassadors 2014 crew.  Playing in the NCAA division they went 2-1, with their only loss a close one to Louisiana high school powerhouse, Alexandria Peabody.   2014 PG Chase Carlton of Austin Westlake had 19 in that contest.  Against the Houston Force, 2014 Matt Perry of Kerrville Tivy had 17 points, 2014 Trey Dilworth of Round Rock McNeil had 13, Aubrie King of Mumford had 12 and Carlton also added a dozen as they cruised to victory.

Texas D1 Ambassadors 2013-Morse 77  D Gib Hoops Elite 76  (NBA)

The 2013 D1 Ambassadors dug deep against a talented, more mature D Gib squad and eked out an exciting one point victory.  Another in the line of great Pflugerville guards led the way as 2013 Darrius Brooks had 21 points, while 2013 G Will Morse of Austin Westlake dropped 17 and added 7 assists.

2013 G Darrius Brooks of Pflugerville is an emerging star

Oregon D1 Ambassadors 2013 69  Ray Jackson's Rising Stars  51

2013 Jacob McGraw was unstoppable as he went off for 25 points, including 4 triples as Oregon D1 won going away and captured their pool in their first trip to Texas

Great American Shootout Gets Underway in Dallas, TX

The Texas D1 Ambassadors-Austin finished The Jumpoff event in Dallas early this morning losing 64-55 to the Dallas Showtyme Elite.  2012 Mike Hardge finished the event on a strong note with a 21 point performance while 2012 F Allex Austin continued his high level play with 14 points.  The Austin group finished The Jumpoff by going 3-3. After a few hours rest they headed across town to get busy at the Great American Shootout.

Great American Shootout @ Duncanville, TX
Tonight (Friday) kicks off the GASO event which will draw in the neighborhood of 400 college coaches. The D1 Nation will be well represented as they'll have a total of  7 teams in the NBA Division alone.  All of them will make their debut tonight with the exception of the Houston group which will make their way back from Myrtle Beach and will play on Saturday in the late afternoon.

Deron Williams Elite  42  Texas D1 Ambassadors-Austin 41  (NBA)
A last second loss on a free throw sent D1 to defeat.  2013 T.J. Williams who is one of the best sophs in Texas had 16 for Texas D1.

2013 T.J. Williams already looks like a veteran player and a leader despite being a soph.

Oregon D1 Ambassadors 2013  61   SW Elite Gold  44   (NCAA)
Fresh off the plane from the Pacific Northwest, Oregon D1 got 12 points from 2013 Jacob McGraw to win going away.

Texas D1 Ambassadors-San Antonio  64  Dallas Mustangs Booker  39  (NBA)
2012 Connor Lammert led a balanced scoring attack with 13 points as Texas D1 was hitting on all cylinders with almost the entire Big XII looking on.  Texas THead Coach Billy Gillispie watched every second of the game as he clearly has Lammert in his sights. 2012 Uche Ofoegbu added 12 as did 2012 Aaron Ramirez.  This was a huge win over a very good Mustangs team.

At 6'9" and only 16, a skilled Connor Lammert drew the Big XII to watch him do his thing for the Texas D1 Ambassadors-San Antonio.

Texas Assault 69  Oregon D1 Ambassadors  51  (NBA)
It's my opinion that Texas Assault is the most talented/well structured group (hence the #1 team in Texas this season).  They beat a very good Oregon D1 Ambassadors squad. 2012 6'6" Stuart Bartoldus had 13 points for Oregon D1. He's an excellent student who is being recruited heavily by Penn.

CCPYA  64  Texas D1 Ambassadors 2013-Morse   45  (NBA)
In this one sided affair, Texas D1 was led by 2013 F Zach Overby of Kerrville Tivy with 12 points.
 
Texas D1 Ambassadors 2013-Bostic  65   Houston All 4 Sports Dream 54  (NBA)
The group of sophomores from Austin notched a win in their first live event on the circuit as they received solid play and balanced scoring from all. 2013 Justin Moss of Pflugerville led his team to victory.

Texas D1 Ambassadors 2014  51  Rider HS Raiders  29 (NCAA)
Smothering defense and unselfish team play gave the D1 Ambassadors youngsters their first victory in their inaugural live recruiting period event.  Trey Dilworth-14,  Aubrie King-12 and Chase Carlton-10 led the way.

2014 Trey Dilworth will soon be a household name with college coaches.

Team Loaded (VA) 85 Texas D1 Ambassadors-Houston 67

The Texas D1 Ambassadors-Houston left Myrtle Beach, short of their goal of defending their 2009 Atlantic Slam Championship.  They were unable to stop the dribble penetration of the Team Loaded guards, specifically 2012 Tyler Lewis who is committed to North Carolina State. 

With Top 60 player, Alex Caruso out with an ankle injury and early foul trouble to Big Aly Mohamed left Texas D1 susceptible against the bet opponent we've faced all year. Tournament Director, Jeff Schneider who publishes Schneider's Prep Report was very complimentary of the D1 Ambassadors talent level and number of recruitable players.  The 100 plus college coaches there seemed to be in agreement.

2012 PG Joshua Hagins of Bossier City Airline (LA)

2012 Devon Turk of Houston St. Pius led the way with 15 points in the loss.  The best player on the floor for the D1 Ambassadors was 2012 Joshua Hagins of Bossier City Airline (LA).  Not only did he have 13 points but he added 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals.  2011 Jalen Washington showed he is a late steal at the two/three position as he was the most consistent player for Texas D1 at the Atlantic Slam Event.   Texas D1 catches an early flight to Dallas in the morning and will play two super pool games at the Great American Shootout later in the day.

D1 Nation Goes 5-0 Today!

The Texas D1 Ambassadors-Austin are competing in The Jumpoff, in Dallas, TX. After losing two close pool games yesterday, Texas D1 reeled off 3 straight wins to earn a spot in tomorrow's Silver Bracket Championship Game.

Texas D1 Ambassadors-Austin  69   Texas Admirals  46
2012 Allex Austin continues to assert himself both inside and out. He had 16 in the win.  He had support from 2013 G T.J. Williams with 11 points and 2012 Michael Hardge who had 8 points and 9 assists.  Hardge is at about 70% as he is playing with a strained oblique muscle.

2012 Michael Hardge had a great day for Texas D1-Austin as they notched 3 wins.

Texas D1 Ambassados-Austin  77   Team Texas Red  49
2013 G T.J. Williams will inherit the starting job running the show at Pflugerville this coming season as he steps in to replace Deon Mitchell (Northern Iowa).  He's well on his way to establishing himself.  He had 21 points in the win and has a great understanding of how to involve his team mates.  2012 G Michael Hardge added 20, and 2012 F 6'7" Trumell McCrimmon added 12 points.

Texas D1 Ambassadors-Austin 60   San Antonio Legends 51
Once again, Mike Hardge stepped up big and had 21 points, while Allex Austin added 14 after a hard fall in the afternoon game.

========================================================================
The Texas D1 Ambassadors-Houston are competing in the Atlantic Slam in Myrtle Beach, SC.  They win their second game this evening as they coasted to the win over a highly regarded Flight 22 squad from North Carolina.

Texas D1 Ambassadors -Houston   72  Flight 22 (NC)    56
The Houston squad have been notoriously slow starters at times this season but this evening wasn't one of them.  For the second straight game the two lading scorers were 2012 Chase Brogna of Houston St. Thomas with 17 points and 2012 G Devon Turk with 16.  With Top 100 player Alex Caruso suffering a somewhat serious ankle injury (likely out a couple of weeks..until Las Vegas) the deep bench picked up the slack. 

2013 Johnathan Motley had a great game vs Carolina Flight 22

2013 F Johnathan Motley of Galena Park Northshore caught fire in the 2nd half and scored 12 of his 14 points plus 5 rebounds.  Three of them were spectacular dunks in transition.  2012 Aly Mohamed had 10 points and 10 rebounds and 2012 G Joshua Hagins added 6 assists with unselfish play.

2011 G 6'4" Jalen Washington is a quality, qualified "available" for a late signing by a D1

Overall the team is getting a boost from 2011 G Jalen Washingotn's trademark all around play.  He shut down the Flight's best guard with his length defensively, hit key shots 4 rebounds, 2 blocks, 3 steals and 4 assists.  A late qualifier, Washington will be a steal in the month of July for a D1 looking for a quality late signee.  He had the coaches buzzing.  Any D1 wanting to offer this great young man please email me at TexasBasketball@aol.com or 512-791-5455. Coach Max Ivany.

Texas D1 Ambassadors-Houston @ Myrtle Beach

After a three week layoff, the Texas D1 Ambassadors-Houston opened with action in the NCAA Live Recruiting Period at the Big Shots Atlantic Slam in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.  They are out to reclaim the championship trophy that they raised two years ago with the Class of 2010 when Cody Doolin (San Francisco), Paul Garnica (Northern Colorado), Daniel Alexander (Texas A&M), Jonathon Perry (Dallas Baptist), Tre Demps (Northwestern), Trevante Drye (Tulane), Mark Nwakamma (Hartford), Brian Williams (Oklahoma State), Jake Kocher (Texas A&M-Corpus Christi) and D.J. Stephens (Memphis) captured the 'Ship. That group also included Junior College stars, R.J. McGhee and William Nelson.

This D1 Houston squad is a talented bunch, in fact much longer than the 2010 Class.  As the summer progresses we'll see if they can have the same kind of chemistry and understanding of how to close out and win close games.

Texas D1 Ambassadors 64  South Carolina Ravens 2013  54
Texas D1 looked rusty and were their own worst enemy as they turned the ball over in the neighborhood of 20 times.  Down 28-27 at the half and 38-33 into the second half the D1 Ambassadors rallied.  They became more aggressive inside, and at one point hit ten straight free throws (4 by Josh Hagins, 6 by Aly Mohamed) and scratched back to take a slim lead of 3-6 in the last 4 minutes.  Texas D1's depth wore down a talented South Carolina Ravens squad and behind a couple of big offensive rebounds by Keynan "Slim" Willis, a putback by Jalen Washington and a three by Devon Turk they took a 12 point lead

All 11 players contributed on the score sheet.  2012 Chase Brogna led the way with 12 points and 3 assists, while 2012 Devon Turk had 10.  The D1 Ambassadors play again this evening against the winner of the Mississippi Basketball Association Hoops and Flight 22 Athletics out of North Carolina.

2012 PG Chase Brogna of Houston St. Thomas had the hot scoring hand with 12 

Mighty Mississippi

While most of the rest of the country is getting after it in live events, many of Mississippi's best players are on the sidelines for a few more days. The Magnolia State holds it's Annual Mississippi High School All Star Game in the early part of the evaluation period.  They'll practice for several days and then play the game this Saturday.

The Mississippi D1 Ambassadors will see their first action as a team at the Big Shots Mississippi Slam in Jackson, MS July 14-15th. When they make their debut, college coaches will see a three headed monster in the backcourt. 2012 PG Bryant Magee is as tough a defender and as explosive a high riser as most any guard on the circuit. His combo guard sidekick tandem of 2012 Alex Lacey and 2012 Avery Woodson both know how to win as they led Wayne County to the Mississippi 6A State Championship.  It's not hard to see why as both are superior shooters, and they're not afraid to pull it from way DOWNTOWN.

2012 Alex Lacey of Wayne County brings defense and perimeter shooting to the table

 

2012 Bryant Magee of West Marion, MS is a defensive dynamo and a high riser who will posterize you.

Woodson though needs to be mentioned with the best.  He has a smooth stroke and a hair trigger release.  Also, don't sleep on 2012 6'7" Laphonzo Smith who is skilled and projects out to be a nice wing player.  Sometimes the knock on Mississippi players is that their academics are spotty.  Not so with this bunch.  Coach James Cole has done a great job in instilling discipline.  They are all polite guys who will get after it on the court too.  It's a nice recruitable bunch.  D1 coaches, do not sleep on them!

2012 6'7" Wing Laphonzo Smith is athletic and skilled

2012 G Avery Woodson (right) has to be mentioned amongst the elite shooters in his class.

The Mississippi D1 Ambassadors Legacy

The summer of 2010 was the inaugural presence of the D1 Nation in that talent rich state. Under Coach Ted Hutchins the Mississippi D1 Ambassadors were anchored by Top 75 player nationally, Leantwan Luckett of Ridgeland. They had excellent showings in Orlando, FL and at the Real Deal in the Rock where they scorched my buddy Dinos Trigonis' highly regarded Belmont Shore team with Cesar Guerrero and Company and sent them back to Cali.  We had four D1 signees off that group:

2011 WG 6'5" Leantwan Luckett of Ridgeland, (MS)                Alcorn State

The high flying Luckett had lots of high major looks but ultimately the hometown boy decided on Alcorn State.  He wanted to play for former Jackson Provine Coach Luther Riley (a real up and comer in the coaching game) who was recently named Alcorn's new head man.  He is a STEAL at this level.

2011 SG 6'2" Jarron Mallory of Jackson Provine, (MS)             Alcorn State

An athletic shooting guard, Mallory decided to follow his high school coach to Alcorn and team up with Luckett.

2011 P Donovan Ross will add toughness to Southeast Louisiana 

 

2011 WG Leantwan Luckett will bring his taents to Alcorn State in what could be that program's single biggest signing ever.

2011 SG Josh Swan 6'2" of Atlanta Pace Academy (GA)            Southern Illinois

Swan is athletic, can shoot it and brings lot of energy to the game.

2011 P 6'6"  Donovan Ross of Ridgeland (MS)                            Southeast Louisiana

Ross brings toughness and a high motor to the Southland Conference             

Texas D1 Ambassadors-Houston Break Camp

The Texas D1 Ambassadors-Houston broke camp yesterday after spending 5 days in Sea Isles (west end of Galveston Island, TX). They were fortunate enough for the team to have the opportunity to bond in this beautiful setting where they combined two a day basketball workouts with some sun and surf.

The view at sunset from the deck of the Texas D1 Beach House in Sea Isles, TX

With one of the country's most challenging schedules ahead, the Texas D1 Ambassadors-Houston will be a formidable opponent on the circuit.  With a roster, including six players at 6'7" and above, excellent ballhandling, superior shooters and outstanding athleticism the D1 Ambassadors will have scores of college coaches following them from gym to gym as they put ther talents on display for schools like UCLA, Texas, Marquette, Colorado, North Carolina State, Memphis and others who have expressed early interest in these kids.

The roster is as follows:

2011 F  6'9"   Keynan "Slim" Willis                    Crosby

2011 G 6'4"   Jalen Washington                           Pflugerville Hendrickson

2012 G 6'0"   Chase Brogna                                 Houston St. Thomas

2012 G 6'1"   Joshua Hagins                                Bossier City Airline (Louisiana)

2012 F  6'8"   Maurice Letcher-Ellis                   Houston Yates

2012 P  6'9"   Aly Mohamed                                Houston Trent International

2012 G 6'3"   Devon Turk                                    Houston St. Pius

2012 G 6'6"   Alex Caruso                                   College Station A&M Consol

2012 G 6'4"   Daryl Milburn Jr.                           Baton Rouge McKinley (Louisiana)

2013 F 6'9"    Johnathan Motley                          Galena Park Northshore

2013 W 6'7"  Parker Callender                            Houston Clear Springs

2014 P  6'8"   Kendrick Morris                            Phillips Exeter (New Hampshire)

July 7-8 Atlantic Slam Myrtle Beach, SC

July 9-12 GASO Duncanville Duncanville, TX

July 13-15 Best Buy Summer Classic Minneapolis, MN

July 22-25 Las Vegas Fab 48 Las Vegas, NV

July 27-28 Desert Duel Phoenix, AZ

July 27-28 D1 Nation Live-Phoenix, AZ