VIP NEWS DA WEEK OF MARCH 6th - 12th!
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- Published: Monday, 14 March 2016 02:44
Check out the updates from Day TWO of the UIL STATE TOURNAMENT!
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Silsbee 89 Levelland 47
The Tigers went into the half hitting 50% of their field goals, and trailing by only 2pts against the nation's #4 ranked team (by USA Today). That's a pretty good measuring stick in regards to their potency level. It was also a good gauge for sophomore point guard, Kendric Davis who finished with a game high 20p 7a 3r 3s and committed only 2 turnovers while opposite the very best backcourt in all of Texas. Three other Tigers finished with double digits on the evening - Kennard Robinson (14p), Jaqualin Duplechain (11p), and Terrell Wilson (11p).
In the second half, Fabian White was in foul trouble but as always - there would be other teammates who stepped up and made the big play. In this case, Brandon Loville (10p 7r 5a) and Greg Shead (13p 4r) were effective and efficient while combining to go 9/13fg on the evening - highlighted by a buzzer beating deep three pointer from Shead to increase the margin to 59-51. That was a body blow which certainly gave the Eagles the needed momentum heading into the final 8 minutes. During that time, Atascocita simply held serve most of the way - matching Sam Houston's buckets with points of their own.
Things got a bit interesting with just under 2:00 left. Leading scorer, Carsen Edwards (19pts 7r) fouled out and White already had 4 fouls. This was a prime opportunity for Sam Houston to make one last push for the upset. However, Atascocita tactfully generated baskets when needed and managed to elapse time off the clock in the process. It was simply a championship effort which deserves applaud.
STATE TOURNAMENT: DAY ONE RECAP
EAST CHAMBERS 66 VAN ALSTYNE 61
Dylan Silcox scored a game high 22pts (9/11fg) to help propel East Chambers into the state championship game. Teammates Darius Guillory (15p) and Antwann Anderson (11p) combined for 26pts in the victory. East Chambers committed 26 turnovers and produced only 2 assists in the win. Anderson along with sibling Andre Anderson are the sons of Lamar University assistant coach, Anthony "Q" Anderson.
ELKINS 101 FORT WORTH DUNBAR 73
This was the tale of two halves. Dunbar totally creamed Elkins on the glass and controlled the flow while leading by as many as 9pts in the second period. Elkins really mashed on the gas in the second half (scoring 67pts) to power away from Fort Worth Dunbar. Ken Busby led the Knights with 21pts (7/10fg) 5a 3s. His lay up at the 7:00 mark put the Knights ahead 37-36. Forty seconds later Ansu Sesay converted a layup from Busby to go back in front 39-38. This time the lead would not be relinquished as Elkins went to work on Dunbar.
Five other players scored double digits for Elkins. Eddie Everline 18, Ansu Sesay 13, Chad Bowie 13, Chandler Jacobs 12, and Tyrik Armstrong 11. Elkins bench outscored Dunbar 39-14. As a team, Elkins hit 70% of their shots (21/30fg) in the second half. Their speed was much too much for Dunbar, proved by the barrage of layups made by Elkins. The fourth quarter saw Elkins score a season high 42pts (compared to 23 for Dunbar). Lastly, this game produced one of the most remarkable / lopsided stats I've ever seen. How about the fact that Dunbar grabbed a record 29 OFFENSIVE Rebs and still lost by 28pts. Elkins will face Lancaster in the 5A State Championship, Saturday 3pm.
The Spring Ice Breaker schedule will be released Monday 6pm. I strongly encourage you guys who wish to stay ahead of the curve to DOWNLOAD our FREE Rcs Sports APP. The schedules will be released on the APP and that software will keep you informed of results and bracket advancements throughout the entire SIB weekend.
Feel free to use the hashtag, #SIB2016 when speaking of this event on twitter.
THURSDAY, MARCH 10th
I will be rooting with everything inside me for the Elkins Knights this evening when they face Fort Worth Dunbar in the semi finals of the 5A State Tournament. I really like the "attitude" this team exhibits pretty much every time they touch the floor. It's just so sad that more college coaches aren't paying attention to Chad Bowie, Ken Busby, Tyrik Armstrong, or Ansu Sesay. This is why winning is relatively important within the scope of exposure. WIN and at some point in time, it becomes hard as hell for folk to ignore. This is exactly why I hope Elkins can win two more games this weekend.
Speaking of Elkins... I appreciate the way head coach Albert Thomas kept his players motivated all season.
OTHER NEWS!
Trajan Wesley has transferred from Cy Woods and is now enrolled at Cy Falls HS. The Eagles also got another blessing after a 6'8 eleventh grader moved in from the state of Washington. Hint... this ain't your ordinary 6'8 player - he actually played on the 17u team of a sneaker circuit last summer. I'll share more details with you guys on tommorow. Now let me dash over to the state tournament and root for the home team.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9th
Props to the Rockstarz program! Let me explain why....
During the 6A State Semi Final game between Atascocita vs Sam Houston, there are a total of 8 players who were blossomed through the Rockstars program.
Atascocita: Brandon Loville, Alan Smith, Stephon Morehead, and Donzae Peacock
Sam Hou: Carlton Prejean, Jaqualin Duplechain, Anthony Norman, as well as twins Kennard & Lennard Robinson (who left to finish their final summer with TJ Ford Elite)
Speaking of Friday night's matchup, it should be nothing short of exciting. You guys know I did me some Sam Houston and they have certainly galvanized the Alumni as well as student body of the school. However, this is Atascocita we're talking about. This team is a machine that rolled right through the entire field of the 9th grade teams at the Freshmen Fall Championships, three years ago.
Both Atascocita and Sam Houston met in the Season Opener, and the Eagles pulled off the 9pt win. The game was indeed relatively close (2 - 5 possessions most of the way), but allow me to remind you guys that Atascocita was without 3 key players (Greg Shead, Brandon Loville, Alan Smith). Nor was Donzae Peacock in uniform at that time. Both Shead and Loville are starters. So why in the world would I expect for this Atasocita team to lose "now", knowing they haven't lost all season? Okay, now that should be enough bullentin board material for Sam Houston to make this game pretty darn interesting on Friday evening.
For some reason, I tend to motivate these youngsters in the most facinating ways.
Thinking back to the Fall Ball Season. If I'm not mistaken, Elkins beat Atascocita and many folk chalked up that win as "luck". It kinda reminds me of back in the pre-season of the 2000 - 2001 season when Beaumont Ozen beat Willowridge in a scrimmage which was held at Kashmere HS. There is no way that game could have been held in that small gym during today's social media society, but Kendrick Perkins and his crew got the win and celebrated as though it was the state championship. Ironically, both squads would actually win state titles that season. Could the same be in store for Elkins and Atascocita?
SUMMER BALL NEWS!
Victory Prep teammates, Jarred Vanderbilt and John Dockery have made the decision to return to the Houston Hoops. The area's #1 junior was present and spreading positive vibes at the Hoops practice on Monday night. Additionally, the Houston Hoops has added Cedric Alley (Klein Forest HS 2017) to their roster. The district 16-5A MVP helps bolster the deepest contigent of forwards in (maybe) history of the program. In addition to Vanderbilt and Alley, there is Jae LeDee (Kinkaid), Royce Hamm (Aldine Davis), Matt Mayer (Austin Westlake), and Isiah Jasey (Sunrise Christian, KS). This team "should" lead the EYBL in rebounds.
TUESDAY, MARCH 8th
Hardin Jefferson sophomore Elijah Parquet who is ranked #9 in the most recent Rcssports 2018 rankings picked up an offer from Louisiana Tech on Monday night. Parquet will be running with Team S.T.A.G.E. 16U this summer, and they will be playing in the Spring Ice Breaker.
We received word that unsigned senior Christian Barrett 6'6 (Westbury Christian) will be playing with Texas D1 Ambassadors-Houston. He should attract a fair amount of coaches during the Spring Live period.
On Thursday morning we will have an in depth preview of the area teams and their games as the state tournament starts on Thursday morning.
Monday, March 7th
There are sooooo many guys who make a strong case for Coach of the Year this season. Every time we add another log to this fire of a conversation, Trey Austin does something to make things more complicated. This past weekend, he guided Westbury Christian to their 4th consecutive state title. Austin was promoted from his assistant coach duties prior to the 2013-14 season after Russell Carr took over at St Pius X High School. So technically, this is Austin's 3rd straight title and 8th since being on the bench at Westbury Christian.
This is quite remarkable considering the Wildcats have no players from this year's roster with active D1 offers on the table. This proves that he is getting premium productivity with or without top shelf talent. On the flip-side, I honestly do feel that a D1 school somewhere could really use the talent of Marlin "Moose" Davis 6'2 cg 2016 or Christian Barrett 6'6 f 2016. Maybe with the Final Four being in Houston next month, some D1 coaches will bite on one or both.
Here are the Rcs Sports' Coach of the Year Candidates! This list is not to be mistaken simply as a Coach of the Post Season or Coach of the Month. These guys led their teams to 1st place finishes in their respective districts and opened a few eyes in the playoffs.
| SCHOOL | HEAD COACH |
|---|---|
| Aldine Davis | Cornelius Mitchell |
| Atascocita | David Martinez |
| Beaumont Ozen | Marquis Saveat |
| Cy Lakes | Emmanuel Olatunbosun |
| Elkins | Albert Thomas |
| Episcopal | Wayne Jones |
| LaMarque | David Montano |
| Sam Houston | Ralph Barreras |
| Silsbee | Joe Sigler |
| Westbury Christian | Trey Austin |
REGIONAL TOURNAMENT RECAP & A CLOSER LOOK AT SAM HOUSTON!
It's hard to fathom that the Texas Education Agency (TEA) had voted to close down Sam Houston HS in 2008 (only eight years ago). This is how the whole Math, Science & Technology name change transpired and was applied to the school. They can call them whatever they want, that school on the corner of Tidwell & Irvington (across from what used to be known as Rainbow Roller Rink) is nothing more than good ol' SAM HOUSTON to me. The school is winning and attendance is booming in Tiger land. Technically, the school is now a magnet program which means students from all over the district may attend Sam Houston.
These guys are headed to the State Tournament for the first time since 1988. The leading scorer from that state championship team, Keithus Hanks reminded me of his memorable performance in Austin that year. In the semis, Hanks gave San Antonio East Central (39p 21r) and followed that up with (32p 18r) in the 73-68 championship win over Fort Worth Dunbar. At that time, the combined 71pts and 39rebs were a 5A tournament record. In 1995, Stanley Bonewitz of SA East Central HS broke the mark with 78 pts in the two games, capped with a state title win over Dallas Carter. Indeed anyone from the '80s know that Hanks was one of the smoothest wings of that decade. Oh yeah, I almost forgot the 34p and 18r that Hanks handed out to Clear Lake HS in the overtime, Regional Finals win. That's one heckuva three game roll.
Raise your hand if you HONESTLY felt that Kendric Davis (27p) would out score and out-perform De'Aaron Fox (24p) in the process of beating Cy Lakes 83-77? Lightning going come right through that roof for lying (lol). But, Davis was outstanding while on the biggest stage of his young tenth grade career. Nearly 6k fans witnessed Sam Houston swarming defense limit Fox to only 1 field goal (4pts) in the first half. That was the key to everything. Sure enough, Fox added 19pts in the second half, but the margin was well into double digits - as much as 20, and the Spartans weren't able to get the needed stops against Sam Houston.
Don't let the final score trick your mind's eye. With just over a minute to go, Cy Lakes coach decided to concede by taking Fox (and a couple other starters) out of the game. This enabled some of the hard working reserves to get their feet wet in a big time atmosphere. Those guys hit back to back treys while scoring on three consecutive possessions to slice the lead from nearly 20 to single digits.
Cy Lakes got a magnificent defensive performance from 9th grader, Jared Garcia 6'6. He was relatively active on both ends, and had to have swatted at least 7 shots on the evening. However, make no mistake about it - this tempo was a step or two ahead of the very talented crab.
Sam Houston got a huge game from Kennard Robinson (24pts) and JaQualin Duplichain (15pts). I like the fact that University of St Thomas head coach has been out to see Kennard and Lennard Robinson play plenty of times this year. That says a lot when the primary person responsible for dictating your minutes per game supports you in such abundant fashion.
I've been searching around the state and the only sophomore I found to have led his HS team in scoring during a (5A or 6A) state tournament run is Phil Forte (Flower Mound Marcus HS 2011). Davis leads Sam Houston in scoring and has produced 24ppg during the post season.
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