On Saturday, over a dozen college coaches are expected to be in attendance with scholarships to possibly offer to unsigned seniors and college transfers.  The 3rd Annual Unsigned Senior and JUCO Showcase is presented by the George McClellan Foundation and serves a grand purpose to our community.  Last year's event resulted in 8 players earning free college education opportunities for the student athletes.
LATE REGISTRATION ENDS FRIDAY @ 4pm!  To request paperwork, send email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or text message your email address to 713-539-1067.
DIRECTIONS To Harvest Time Community Center (17770 Imperial Valley,  Houston 77060)
From Downtown -  go I-45 north, exit Greens Rd and turn right.  Proceed to Imperial Valley and turn left.  The facility is located 1 block on the right.
From Woodlands - go 1-45 south, exit Greens Rd and turn left. Proceed to Imperial Valley and turn left.  The facility is located 1 block on the right.
From Sugarland -  go 59 north,  exit Beltway 8 heading west.  Go about 6 miles and exit Imperial Valley and turn right.  Proceed north and once you cross Greens Rd, the facility is located on right.
IMPORTANT FACTS!
-  All participants should arrive for registration 11am Saturday.
-  All parcipants must attend mandatory NCAA educational session (30 mins)
-  Wear all black shorts
-  A fully refundable $20 deposit is required for the jersey (it will be refunded when jersey is returned)
-  Feel free to bring any dvds, transcripts, or bio paperwork for the college coaches
-  First game is scheduled for 1pm and event will conclude @ 7pm
COLLEGE COACHES!
- Hotel rates of $69 (Greenspoint Marriott) available.  Call Sara Salinas 281-875-8991 to book.

 THURSDAY, JULY 29th
Props to former Houston Rocket Rafer Alston, who guided the New York Panthers to the championship of the prestigious Desert Duel in Phoenix, AZ.   The Panthers needed 4 overtimes to outlast the New England Playaz 60-59 in the final.  In the semis, NYP blasted the DC Assault Gold 75-60 while the NEP smacked Seattle based Friends of Hoop, 60-40. 
Alston (known as "Skip to My Lou" in the grassroots circles) was animated throughout the event.  The NY Panthers drew our local Houston Defenders in the first round of the bracket play only event.  In that game, the NYP used their experience to pull it out down the stretch, 68-64.
Once again event organizers Jeff Schneider and Tammy Crawford showed the media and college coaches a very hospitable experience.  Various restaurants (including PF Changs and Buffalo Wild Wings) provided meals at least twice per day.  I'm a firm believer that if college coaches are well fed, they will stick around the gym atleast an additional hour or so.  That means, more possible exposure for the prospects in the building.  Nearly 200 D1 coaches signed in at the Desert Duel this year, a record high for the three year event.
A total of 5 teams from Texas were invited to this year's Desert Duel.  They combined to produce a dismal 8-16 record through the two day event.  Despite, the teams finishing on the short end of the stick, several players shined like new coins during the process.
Here are linescores of all games involving Texas based teams at the Desert Duel:

The 7th Annual George McClellan Invitational was once again a complete success.  A total of 42 invited teams comprised this year's field, and it was by far the most balanced batch of teams the event has ever hosted.  The teams were sorted into two divisions, Varsity and Super Varsity.  After playing a pair of pool games, the teams advanced into either the Gold, Silver, or Bronze brackets within their perspective division.
In the championship game of the Super Varsity Gold Bracket, Mike Evans scored 13 of his 15pts in the second half to lift the Galveston Hornets past the Houston Hoopstars (51-48) in a very interesting game.  Teammates Terran Petteway and Darrian Johnson combined for 20pts in the win.  The Hoopstars' Ryan Manuel was by far the most active player throughout the event.  He matched Evans with 13pts in the second half, but the rest of the team combined for only 4pts and that pretty much sums it up.  Big man Cameron Ridley added 10pts (all in 1st half) in the loss.  This was the sixth time the two teams have met this summer, with the series now tied 3-3. 
The Varsity Division Gold championship was captured by the Houston Hoops Rudy, 57-53 winners over Team SWAG.  This game was tied at the half (27-27) and very spirited all the way through as SWAG recently got very impressive wins over the Houston Hoops 16s and Houston Hoops 17s.
A total of 82 college coaches (most in GMI history) attended this three day event.  They were fed homemade meals consisting of talapia, jerk chicken, curry rice, meat pies, creole gumbo, ox tails, red beans + rice, shrimp casserolle, salads, cakes, and cookies.  All games started on time and the championship finale was agreed by both coaches to start 25 minutes early.   
George McClellan Foundation director Marjorie Allen extends her greatest appreciation to all volunteers, staff members, players, family members, and coaches who participated.  All games were held at The GYM (2325 Atascocita Rd,  Humble TX). 
TUESDAY, JULY 13th RESULTS!

 

 
WEDNESDAY, JULY 14th RESULTS!

THURSDAY, JULY 15th RESULTS!