GASO preview: Bryan/CS teams to watch
Dallas Showtyme Elite captured the first summer tournament of the Great American Shoot-Out series two weeks ago. A new champion will be crowned this weekend, as the 13th annual Bryan/College Station GASO kicks off. Texas A&M will be the host site.
A total of 129 teams will take the floor Friday, Saturday and Sunday throughout College Station and Bryan. Pool play action starts at 5 p.m. Friday and continues through Saturday afternoon. Bracket play starts early Saturday evening.
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Here are 10 teams to watch, in alphabetical order.
ATX FARLEY
Coach: Tim Farley
Players to watch: Karim York (Del Valle), Jalen Harris (Pflugerville Hendrickson), Devante Brown (Killeen Ellison)
Notable: York suffered an ankle injury two weeks ago at the Memorial Day GASO. If he's healthy, he definitely will contribute to an already-talented squad. In addition, watch out for athletic guard Deron Belford.
AUSTIN ICE
Coaches: Johnny Moore, Fred DeLoach
Players to watch: Quincy Russell (San Antonio Sam Houston), Yolonzo Moore (Austin Akins), Paul Baxter (Austin Bowie)
Notable: The Ice, during the Memorial Day GASO, rode the coattails of interior presence Russell, a 6-foot-4, 289-pound truck in the paint. Consistent perimeter shooting from the guards could equate to a nice run in this weekend's event.
GALVESTON HORNETS
Coaches: Terry Petteway, Alfonzo Ruiz
Players to watch: Terran Petteway (Galveston Ball), Mike Evans (Galveston Ball), Dedrick Archie (Galveston Ball)
Notable: The team, last year's Bryan/College Station GASO NCAA Division champs, has been on a roll this summer. It won the Slo-Motion Classic in Humble and placed second at a tournament in Kansas City. Petteway is one of the most intriguing players in the state.
HOUSTON HOOPSTARS
Coach: Keith White
Players to watch: Cameron Ridley (Fort Bend Bush), Ryan Manuel (Fort Bend Austin), Aaron Durley (Fort Bend Dulles)
Notable: The Hoopstars traditionally fare well in GASO tournaments, and they enter the weekend as the defending Bryan/College Station GASO NBA Division champs. Ridley (6-foot-10) and Durley (6-foot-8) will be expected to control the paint.
HOUSTON LYNX-SCHUDY
Coaches: George Schudy, Walter Gordy
Players to watch: Nevin Johnson (Spring), Johnathan Benn (Fort Bend Foster), Michael Dison (Spring DeKaney)
Notable: A well-coached unit, the Lynx are as talented as any team in the tournament. Johnson is among the state's top-ranked players, but look for the Lynx's bench to play a significant role in potential success.
SAN ANTONIO LEGENDS 17
Coaches: J.C. Collins, Clint Siples
Players to watch: Anthony Walker (San Antonio Johnson), Max Yon (San Antonio Reagan), Justin Hammonds (San Antonio Johnson)
Notable: This team has size inside and out, and the Legends are a legitimate threat to go far. Keep an eye on Matt Medell, who had a decent showing at the Memorial Day GASO.
SAN ANTONIO ROHAWKS 17
Coach: Ed Johnson
Players to watch: Jonathan Holmes (San Antonio Antonian Prep), Darrious Hamilton (San Antonio Antonian Prep), William Knowles (San Antonio Highlands)
Notable: The RoHawks are earning more and more respect with every tournament they play, faring well in the last two GASO events. Keep an eye on Marshall Harris, who can be a reliable X-factor at point guard.
TEXAS D-1 AMBASSADORS-CRESS
Coaches: Darrell Cress, David Pawsat
Players to watch: Jaleel Williams (Killeen Ellison), Eric McClellan (Austin), Brooks Pawsat (Austin Hyde Park)
Notable: The majority of the team stands at or near 6-foot-4, so the length is there. Both Williams and McClellan are athletic, and Pawsat is very good with the ball in his hands. The key to a successful run, however, will be the point guard play.
TEXAS D-1 AMBASSADORS-HARDGE
Coach: Mike Hardge
Players to watch: Jalen Washington (Pflugerville Hendrickson), Deon Mitchell (Pflugerville), Allantae Faust (Killeen Harker Heights)
Notable: Washington's court credibility skyrocketed after an impressive showing in the Memorial Day GASO. With Mitchell, Faust and Dylan Cox, this team can make a deep run if it plays to its capabilities.
TRIUMPH SELECT 2011 GOLD
Coach: Steve Adams
Players to watch: Grant Jolly (Southlake Carroll), Xavier Dade (Dallas Lincoln), Jon Jessen (Highland Park)
Notable: There's plenty of size on this ball club, but what drives this team is its heart and ability to play as a team. It's rare to see Triumph Select 2011 Gold suffer a blowout loss because of its court savvy and ability to control a game.
