Texas Roundball

The Tops in Texas Tourney was held this past weekend April 18 and 19th in Austin. The tourney wasn't as strong as in past years, as it was minus last year's one two finishers the Houston Hoops (Las Vegas Classic) and Houston Select( Adidas Texas Invitational). Team Texas came away with the championship led by the play of 6-11 LaMarcus Aldridge. Aldridge solidified his top ranking in his class with a strong showing going over 20 points and 10 boards in both of the first two contests in limited minutes. The matchup we were all waiting for came in the semi's when Aldridge and his teammates met Ft. Worth MLK, the Dunbar high school squad featuring #2 in 2004 6-6 Jeremis Smith. Smith had already poured in 40 and 35 in MLK's first two games. The two battled to a standstill unitl early in the second half when Aldridge had to leave with a cut mouth and loose teeth from a play under the goal. Aldridge left with 14 points on 7-10 shooting, at the time Smith had 13 points, he would finish with 23 points on 7-11 from the field a tough 9-17 at the line and 9 rebounds , 3 blocks and 2 assists. Jason Horton was 4-5, 2-2 with 14 points and 6 assists as the select AAU squad overpowered Dunbar. Team Texas was able to down the Westside All Stars in the title game. They held #4 in 2004 6-7 WF Dion Dowell scoreless in the second half. Dowell a Texas commit was impressive throughout with a much improved jumper (three 3's in one game). He was helped by PG Charlie Jones III a Colorado State commit who handed out 10 assists in the quarters. We caught a look at 2005 Texas Tech commit Justin Wilkerson, a sweet stroke but had trouble getting in the flow of the offense. Everyone saw the play of Team Fort Worth's Robert Lee, a high flyer who hit a game winning shot for the consolation champs.

All tourney team:
C-LaMarcus Aldridge Team Texas
BF- Jeremis Smith MLK Mash (pictured at top of page)
WF- Dion Dowell Westside All-Stars
G- Kenneth White Texas Top Prospects
PG- Jason Horton Team Texas (pictured at bottom of page)
6th man- Robert Lee Team Fort Worth
-The best plays of the weekend-
-Jeremis Smith throwing down on Houston Select
-Dion Dowell converting an alley oop on the head of a Dallas Dirty Dozen player
-Horton off the window to Aldridge for the slam.
-Robert Lee on the baseline for liftoff.
-Unsigned 2003 senior Zach Wright of Killeen Ellison all 5-11 of him taking off from outside the lane for the tomahawk slam.

Also catching our eye was Team Texas 16's Ryan Boyd, the Dunbar guards, Muriel and Williams, Austin Dawgs guard A.J. Abrams(2005).