MANHATTAN CLASSIC SUMMARY!!!!
Posted by texasbasketball14 on June 3, 2009
The Texas D-I Ambassadors (Carter) travelled to Manhattan, Kansas on the campus of Kansas State University this past weekend and finished in the final 8.
Saturday morning, after some of the best blueberry pancakes 2011 Yusuf Abdullah has ever eaten, we play the Tulsa Titans. This was a hard-fought game, of which we hardly trailed. Led by the hot- shooting of 2011 Dylan Elias, we prevailed 76-68. Dylan finished with 31 points and just couldn’t miss.
Our second pool game was against the Omaha Unity Stars. This team caused us match-up problems as they had no player over 6’4″. They spread us out and shot lights out, especially at the beginning. We were down 20-6 at one point. We fought back in the second half and got within two, thanks to 2011 Austin Burch’s 6 three’s in the second half. But we went cold and could not get over the hump. We lost 63-56.
Next up was the Oklahoma Wizards. They had a couple of fantastic shooters which once again, couldn’t miss in the first half. We gave up 49 points in the first half, but the held them to 30 in the second. We were within 6 points, but couldn’t get past that deficit. 2011 Jalen Harris kept us in the game with his shooting and dribble penetration, even with a sprained ankle and all. Final was 79-70.
After about 4 hours off and an opportunity to go back to the dorm and rest for a few, we started bracket play against the Wedman Pumas out of Kansas. Their Coach, Scott Wedman was a former player at Kansas. This was a slow paced defensive battle in which we never trailed. 2010 Gus Leeper controlled the middle along with 2011 Yusuf Abdullah’s penetration and defensive effort, we advanced in bracket play 51-45.
Saturday morning was exciting, we were going to play on the main court at Bramlage Coliseum, where Kansas State University plays. I could tell the boys were excited as were our opponents, the Midwest All-Stars, who lit it up in the first half. I would venture to say they hit 9 three pointers in the first half. We were down by 24 points and it felt like we were all going to be able to make our flights out of Kansas City. The only player who seemed to be keeping us in it was 2010 Jean Maurice Blanchard. He was dominating the middle. Grabbing every rebound and finishing at will. Also in the first half, 2011 Jonathan Heisner played significant minutes giving our short handed guards much needed rest. Jonathan forced three turn-overs. By halftime, we had cut the deficit to 15 points. I told the boys to keep chipping away, make 10 points, then 6 points, then 2 points, then you got a game. Well, with 6 minutes to go, we were still down 14. Then something amazing happened, our strategy was working, Midwest couldn’t hit anything and we were forcing turn-overs. First it’s 11 points, then 9, then 6, then 4, then 1. After Austin Burch’s 2 footer from the middle of the lane, we go up 67-66. Defensively we go down and hold them, as Gus Leeper grabs a rebound and gets fouled with 17 seconds left. He hits both free-throws to go up 69-66. I called timeout and told the boys to foul after a few seconds. Midwest hits both free-throws and we throw the ball in-bounds to Austin Burch……….who travelled!!!!!!! My strategy was going to back fire. However, Midwest missed two attempts at the buzzer and we won 69-68!!
Next up was the tough, athletic, good shooting All Iowa Attack Red. They played a 2-3 match-up zone which we had real trouble figuring out. They started off quickly but we fought with them and were within striking distance at halftime, only down 12. The second half was a little tougher. A combination of their fantastic play and our weariness, resulted in us never recovering from our deficit. However, All Iowa finished 2nd in the tournament.
Overall a great weekend. I want to thank some of the parents who helped keep the boys fed, hydrated, and comfortable. I also want to thank 2010 Andre Roberson for joining us this weekend. He did a great job filling in and definitely helped us, as we were a bit short-handed.
Next up is the our trip to Colorado for Colorado State University Team Camp and Northern Colorado University Team Camp, June 14-20.
