Archive for the ‘Information’ Category

THANK YOU! C YA NEXT YEAR 2012

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 BRACKET PLAY FINAL RESULTS

I have to give credit in the creativity department to whoever came up with the idea to outfit each of the 70 referees who were on duty last night a t-shirt bearing the Baylor Bears logo across the front.  With that being said, I’m sure that college coaches will be lined up around the corner to duplicate this crafty act of generosity towards the refs at every major tournament around the country.
Rising senior Ruston Haywood (Wheatley HS) went off for 27pts and unsigned senior DeMarco Henry (Wheatley HS) went for 17pts during the Houston Celtics 82-75 win over the Port Arthur Heat. 
Unsigned senior Trey Dickerson (Yates HS) scored 26pts and Trey Guidry (St Pius HS) added 11pts as the Houston Select dropped a 90-88 decision vs San Antonio Legends.  This was the Select’s first action since the Spring Ice Breaker.
Here is the stat line from last night’s double ot thrilling Super Pool game between Houston Hoopstars vs Urban DFW Elite. 
H: Evan Cooper (College Park HS) 14pts/4stl/3rb/3a, Atif Russell (Seven Lakes HS) 14pts/5rb/3stl, Cameron Ridley (Bush HS) 12pts/13rb/5blk, Trey Pinkney (Seven Lakes HS) 11pts/5a/4stl
Note:  The Houston Hoopstars, winners of 17 of their last 18 games entering the Pearland TX Classic, lost a heart breaker in Double Overtime to Urban DFW Elite late Friday night. Urban DFW came out sharp as a tack in the first half building a commanding 32-21 halftime lead. However, it only took 3 minutes into the 2nd half for the Hoopstars to go on a 15-3 run and take a 36-35 lead. From there the game was on a see-saw, back and forth until the Hoopstars clawed their way to a 56-51 lead with 2:06 to play. A couple of missed one and ones down the stretch allowed Urban DFW to tie the game and send it to overtime. At the end of the first overtime Hoopstar Atif Russell went in for a driving lay-up with 3 seconds left that appeared to be goal tended off the glass but no call was made sending the game to double overtime. In double overtime Urban DFW hit a fade away jumper with :02 seconds left to win a heart stopper 63-61. Hoopstars look to re-group for pool game #2 Saturday @ high noon against the North West Panthers (WA) at Pearland High School. Hoopstars still have great opportunity to bounce off the deck and come back and win this Tournament!

PEARLAND CLASSIC NOTES!
Speaking of top dawg, the Texas PRO settled last week’s stalement with a 62-60 win vs the Hstn Hoopstars.  Jelon Hornbeck scored 17pts and Chicken Knowles (HCYA 2012) added 15 in the win.  Speaking of Chicken, he set the tone with 7 quick points including a smooth looking three pointer during the first five minutes of the game.  The Hoopstars got 22pts from Evan Cooper (College Park 2012) and Atif Russell (Seven Lakes HS 2012) had 14.  In addition to trying to chase Chicken off the block, Cameron Ridley (Bush HS 2012) was plagued with foul trouble pretty much the entire game.  He finished with only 6pts and a very concerning 0/8 from the free throw line.  Actually, Texas PRO led by as much as 17pts in the second half before the team decided to slow down the game.  That’s the same mistake I witnessed the Franchize All Stars make when they had the Hoopstars by 18pts in the Spring Ice Breaker last month.  On both occasions, the Hoopstars walked the lead down.  However, they fell 2pts short against Texas PRO.
The Houston Hoopstars got a nice dose of satisfaction during the quarter finals vs the Franchize All-Stars. The Hoopstars opened the game ripping 3′s from everywhere pushing the lead to 20-11 after the first 7 minutes of play. The lead increased behind the red hot shooting of Atif Russell’s 14 first half points as the Hoopstars led 39-25 at the half. The Hoopstars used their 3 point guards in the game at the same time for most of the 2nd half, and put the rock in the freezer to preserve a well played 68-53 victory.  Russell led the Hoopstars with 19 points while Ridley followed closely with 18pts to go with 8 rebounds and 4 blocked shots. PJ Hardwick (Christian Life 2012) chipped in 11 points including a perfect 6-6 from the free throw line down the stretch.
Additionally, the Texas PRO team picked up a very impressive semi final win over the Dallas Showtyme.  That was made in part by a very crafty play called by the head coachess Marland Lowe and Tuffy Rhodes. It appeared as though TJ Rhodes (HCYA 2013) as about to dribble himself into a turnover when all he wanted to do was draw a double team.  Upon the defender committing to Rhodes, he placed a dime right in the hands of Branford Jones (Elkins HS 2012) who was streaking to the rim for the buzzer beating layup which sent the game into overtime. 
So with that being said, be sure to tune in for the area’s Top 10 Summer Teams (Updated Rankings) on Tuesday -- right here in the VIP NEWS!

OTHER NOTES FROM PEARLAND CLASSIC!
Several players lifted their games in front of packed houses, and some of you guys have no idea how valuable that is. Meaning, in today’s society pretty much everyone of you have someone who lives out of own, yet they always appear very interested in what happens in Houston basketball. For all of you who fit that category, just think of how many times you have shared your opinion of how some players have live up or below the hype. Word of mouth is a very strong avenue for exposure. It can help to make some of you guys and it can assist with breaking your butts as well. With that being said, here are a few kats that helped their stock:
Chicken Knowles 6’9 f (HCYA 2013) -- I’m flat out marveled at how much this young man has improved his game. He knocked down the mid range jumpers. He slammed home several put backs. He might be the first 6’9 plus player from the class of 2012 to outscore and get a win against Cameron Ridley.
TJ Rhodes 5’10 pg (HCYA 2013) -- this kid is living proof that some players actually get better from one period to the next. Anyone who saw Texas PRO this past weekend, or in Dallas last weekend can’t ignore the fact that not a single point guard he’s faced has benefitted with the last laugh.
Evan Cooper 5’11 pg (College Park HS 2012) -- he proved that his much better than many of the voting panel has been willing to admit. In addition to leading the team in scoring this past weekend, he almost singlehandedly willed the Hoopstars to a come from behind victory vs Texas PRO.
Casey Jones 6’4 w (Cy Lakes HS 2012) -- he qualifies as a true sleeper because there is no degree of hype that preceded his recent addition to the Houston Hoopstars club. CJ earned more minutes as each game went by. I was impressed with his ability to attack and create scoring opportunities for others.