TexasHoops Weekly: Tournament Roundup, Sasser catches fire (Dec. 3)

This week's edition of TexasHoops Weekly takes a look at the major tournaments from the past weekend, with some matchups potentially showing some insight into how the season will shake out. Also, we take a look at Marcus Sasser's weekend, as the Houston commit carried his Red Oak squad to a title in Arlington.

Winning a 32-team tournament filled with ranked teams from the state’s largest classifications is always impressive. But to pick up wins over Denton Guyer and North Crowley in the process? That’s something that can’t fly under the radar. Timberview has really exceeded expectations for themselves up to this point, especially after losing Jaquan Scott to transfer right before the season.

But the likes of Trazarien White, CJ Smith and Rod Soares have all stepped up their games and did so multiple times over the weekend to lift Timberview to a title. Smith’s toughness and grit at the point guard spot drew praise, as did his ability to score down the stretch when his team needed buckets. Smith was named MVP of the tournament for his efforts, and deserved that based on the level of performances he turned in. White, on the other hand, can really change the game by making a dynamic play on either end with his leaping ability. He’s a very good basketball player to begin with, but the way he can elevate simply gives him an extra dimension on the court.

Coach Gregory and the rest of the Wolves will enjoy keeping the trophy in Mansfield, and the next man up team identity is fully there. Timberview should be down, but instead they just beat the No.1 team in 6A and have put out a marker to the rest of 5A that they are a force to be reckoned with for a state title yet again.

Duncan Powell returned for Desoto last week and immediately gave the Eagles more firepower on offense and more backbone on the defensive end. He has consistently been one of DFW’s most mature 2021 prospects and plays like a much older hooper, getting rebounds he shouldn’t and making the extra pass to turn a good shot into a great one for a teammate. With Powell in the game Desoto can attack from the inside-out, which will free up many more looks for perimeter players like Jarius Hicklen and Claven Wilson.

Powell’s offensive game blends toughness and skill, and he had that going very well in a 17 point outing against Red Oak. He can hit the 15-foot jumper, hit the offensive glass for putbacks, and most importantly score the ball with his back to the basket. Desoto may have run out of gas and finished 4th in the Arlington Classic after falling to Red Oak and Northside (AR) on Saturday, but the pieces are there for a deep run in the only tournament that gets banners in the rafters.

Few players have the ability to take their game to where Marcus Sasser took his on Saturday against Desoto. The Red Oak guard was a human torch out on the court, throwing in threes from obscene range and bursting to the rim to finish inside on his way to scoring 35 in his Arlington Classic semifinal game. He then turned around and did it again in the championship game, this time against Waxahachie to claim his rightful MVP trophy along with the gold medal.

It’s gone kind of under the radar as far as hype goes, but Houston’s pair of Texas 2019 commits are rock solid. J’Wan Roberts is going to be a good player for the Cougars for four years, and Sasser’s scoring ability will make him a threat as soon as he gets to campus. And if anything is for certain, it’s that this is not the last time Sasser will go off to get his team a win. Keep an eye on him and Red Oak, and then definitely keep track of him at Houston.