AggiesAreWe

Hardcourt heroes The annual showcase of high school basketball in Texas — the UIL boys state tournament — tips off Thursday in Austin. On Tuesday, the University Interscholastic League recalled former high school hoops heroes, releasing its all-century team. More than 5,500 votes were cast online for the team, which included a former Texas Longhorn — T..J. Ford — and a four-time NBA champion — Shaquille O'Neal — as first-team selections. The UIL's all-century team for boys basketball: First team Clyde Drexler, F, Houston Sterling Chris Bosh, F, Dallas Lincoln Shaquille O'Neal, C, San Antonio Cole T.J. Ford, G, Sugar Land Willowridge Jimmy Smith, G, Victoria Second team LaMarcus Aldridge, F, Seagoville Larry Johnson, F, Dallas Skyline Emeka Okafor, C, Houston Bellaire Spud Webb, G, Dallas Wilmer Hutchins Mookie Blaylock, G, Garland Third team Rashard Lewis, F, Alief Elsik John Beasley, F, Linden-Kildare Greg Ostertag, C, Duncanville Phil Reynolds, G, Waxahachie A.J. Abrams, G, McNeil

Class A, division I Bronte (35-4) Coach:Rocky Rawls Rank: No. 15 Streak: W8 Distinguished alumnus: Doug McCutchen, former Texas Tech running back Team motto: "Band of Brothers" About the Longhorns: Rawls has been the head coach at Bronte for 27 years. He led the Longhorns to runner-up finishes at the state tournament in 1987 and 1991. ... Twins Dakota and Kerwin Rawls, the coach's sons, make up the team's backcourt, with Kerwin (12 ppg, 6 apg) running the point. The 6-5 Dakota (19 ppg, 9 ppg) scored 31 points in a regional-final victory against Italy. He made seven three-pointers and grabbed 14 rebounds. ... The Longhorns' remaining starters are Rob Rosson (8 ppg, 5 rpg); Heath Richey (8 ppg, 8 rpg); and Ernesto Casillas (4 ppg). ... Rocky Rawls played for the legendary Ken Cleveland at Dimmitt High. He was a member of the 1978 team that lost to Whitehouse in the 2A state final. Miles to Austin: 223 Cayuga (20-2) Coach: Greg Jenkins Rank: No. 1 Streak: W20 Distinguished alumni: Ned Duncan, former SMU basketball player; Shelby Metcalf, former Texas A&M basketball coach Team motto: "Do The Double" About the Wildcats: This will be Cayuga's first trip to the state tournament since 1958, when coach Jenkins' uncles played, and senior Billy Duncan's grandfather played as well. ... The Wildcats won a Class A state football title this year, and their extended playoff run cause them to write off the first 18 games of the basketball season. ... Without having practiced, the Wildcats lost their first two games, but they have gone undefeated since. ... Texas Longhorns running back recruit Traylon Shead (14 ppg, 10 rpg, 6 apg, 6 spg); A&M quarterback recruit Malcome Kennedy (13 ppg, 6 apg, 7 spg); and junior CJ Wagner (19 ppg, 4 rpg, 4 apg) have led the team this season. ... Cayuga is averaging 87 points per game. Miles to Austin: 190 Gruver (28-5) Coach: Troy Seagler Rank: No. 17 Streak: W6 Distinguished alumnus: Rodney Dale Clawson, country songwriter Team motto: T.I.N. (Time is Now) About the Greyhounds: Gruver is back at the state tournament for the first time since it lost in the final in 2006. ... Senior centers Rily Urban (19.6 ppg 5.2 rpg) and Tyler ‘Randy' Wills (14.1 ppg, 9.9 rpg) have led the team offensive this season. ... Since the start of the playoffs, Greyhounds players and coaches have had a three-point shooting contest at the end of every practice. ... Coach Seagler also has been the principal at Gruver for the past two years. ... Some colorful nicknames on the team include Danny ‘Dandle' Bonilla, Drew ‘Super' Mireles, Caleb ‘Milner' Miller, Justin ‘Bassquez' Bass and Cory ‘Rita' Graves. Miles to Austin: 553 Spurger (27-5) Coach: Calobe Isaacs Rank: No. 25 Streak: W9 Distinguished alumni: none Team motto: "Do What We Do and Do It Well" About the Pirates: As his team makes its first trip to the state tournament in school history, coach Isaacs said he expected his players to be "going crazy," but instead they were very focused on "winning it all." ... Junior center George Whittaker (20 ppg, 11 rpg); senior forward Daniel Blankenship (17 ppg, 6 rpg); and junior guard Chase McGallion (10 ppg, 4 rpg) have led the Pirates this season. ... Injuries and illness have plagued the team at times. Out of 32 games, all nine players have been available for just 10, but the team's record is 10-0 in those contests. Miles to Austin: 289

Class 3A Dallas Madison (28-8) Coach:Damien Mobley Rank: No. 1 Streak: W4 Distinguished alumni: Donny Beacham, former ABA all-star; Brett Maxie, Dallas Cowboys assistant coach and former NFL safety; Dave "The Rave" Stallworth, former NBA player; Dwight White, former Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Team motto: "No Fear, Have Faith" About the Trojans: The defending Class 3A state champion, Madison defeated two teams in this year's 3A field to win the title a year ago. The Trojans topped Stafford in the semifinals before slipping past Lubbock Estacado 68-66 in overtime in the final. ... Four Madison starters played on the 2009 state winner, including guards Timothy and Desmond Flentroy, cousins who have combined to average 31 points a game. ... Up front, the Trojans count on 6-7 Kris Gulley (11 ppg, 12 rpg) and 6-6 Tevin Harris (12 ppg, 9 rpg). ... Mobley was an assistant coach at Dallas Roosevelt in 2006, when the Mustangs won the 3A state title. ... Madison won its regional final — against Liberty-Eylau — by 30 points, 94-64. Miles to Austin: 196 Lubbock Estacado (31-4) Coach:Tony Wagner Rank: No. 3 Streak: W20 Distinguished alumni: Taje Allen, former St. Louis Rams defensive back; Jerry Gray, former Texas Longhorn defensive back and current Seattle Seahawks secondary coach Team motto: "One Team, One Dream" About the Matadors: Estacado will be making its third trip to the state tournament in 10 years. A year ago, the Matodors lost to Dallas Madison in the 3A final. ... Junior Kevin Wagner, the coach's son and an all-state selection last season, averages 18 points and 4.6 assists per game. He has committed to Texas Tech. ... Clarence Willard (15.5 ppg, 4 rpg) scored 17 points against Madison in the 2009 title game. ... A Lubbock school last won a state basketball title in 1951, when Lubbock High defeated Austin High 44-43 for the Class 2A crown. Miles to Austin: 382 Silsbee (30-4) Coach:Travis Williams Rank: No. 4 Streak: W4 Distinguished alumni: William Graham, former defensive back for the Texas Longhorns and Detroit Lions; Mark Henry, pro wrestler and former Olympic weightlifter; James Hunter, former Detroit Lions cornerback; Doug Shankle, former Texas Longhorns linebacker Team motto: none About the Tigers: After a 25-year absence, Silsbee has reached the state tournament in two straight seasons. The Tigers have yet to win a state title. ... Pheal Hill, a 5-8 shooting guard, averages 22 points and 3 steals while 6-6 Kendrick Jones (8 ppg, 7 rpg) has a school-record 193 blocks this season. ... Other starters include versatile swingman Darius Stallworth (15 ppg, 8 rpg, 7 apg) and 6-2 point guard Prentice Lane (14 ppg, 3 apg). ... Williams is in his seventh season at Silsbee. His father, Fred, took the Tigers to the state tournament in 1976. The elder Williams later won three consecutive state titles at Beaumont Hebert from 1980-82. Miles to Austin: 268 Stafford (23-11) Coach:Eric Jackson Rank: No. 22 Streak: W5 Distinguished alumnus: Craig Robertson, University of North Texas linebacker Team motto: "One Team, One Mind, One Goal" About the Spartans: Stafford returns to state after losing to Dallas Madison in the state semis last season. ... The Spartans' top scorers are seniors Maurice Wiltz (21 ppg, 5 rpg, 3 apg) and Brandon Hamilton (17 ppg, 5 rpg). ... Point guard Elliott Williams is one of two junior starters, the other being Sean Collins (7 ppg, 6 rpg). ... Starting forward Boris Anyama (7 rpg) has signed to play football at Louisiana-Lafayette as a wide receiver. ... Jackson played basketball at North Texas from 1991-94. Miles to Austin: 165

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[quote name="JMT" post="774974" timestamp="1268281191"] Our game against Heights was in the Killeen tournament. We were put in pool play with Pflugerville, Westbury Christian and then Heights. It was by far the toughest pool of the 4 down there. We lost the first two games and then played Heights on an hour and a half turnaround on their home floor. We had three games in an eight hour span that day. By the time we got to Heights our guys had nothing left in the tank and a kid that started that game has since found his way to the 10th spot in the rotation. After that game they had a "Come to Jesus meeting" and they apparently got the message going 25-3 since that game. The only losses since then were to Lancaster, Desoto and Kimball. I saw parts of Silsbee's game against Heights, but didn't watch enough to gather much from it as I was in a bit of a rush. [/quote] Silsbee beat HH without 6 starters. ;) ;D

[quote name="SHSTIGER" post="774943" timestamp="1268278463"] Probably will or won't? [/quote] You shouldn't have too many problems getting morning only session tickets for Saturday, but expect to sit in the upper mezzanine behind the goals.

Silsbee played HH in mid December, Madison played them after Silsbee played them. Madison didn't go very far in the football playoffs. ;)

[quote name="SHSTIGER" post="774928" timestamp="1268276703"] Can't make it tomorrow, but hopefully will have a reason to drive in to Austin on Saturday. Will I have a problem getting tickets? [/quote] Probably not for the morning session.

Saw this as I was looking at both teams schedules, just food for thought. ;) Silsbee                      54 Killeen Harker Heights  43 Killeen Harker Heights  68 Dallas Madison            60

[quote name="ST413" post="774905" timestamp="1268274635"] You may need to replay this one tomorrow night.  Hopefully for a very good reason. ;) [/quote] I will not be doing any kind of replays until after I get back to Silsbee. I will be in the Drum watching 18 basketball games the next 3 days, around 15 hours a day. ;D

Hardin-Jefferson assistant coach Clay Davis will be making his broadcast debut in this game as he will provide the color commentary for this broadcast.

[quote name="LAZEEK" post="774892" timestamp="1268273975"] That is slang for white boys!!!!! :D :D :D [/quote] Oh. When did Rick Rielly become white?

[quote name="BLUEDOVE3" post="774868" timestamp="1268272704"] There are many here who agree with you. Always[b] bubbas'[/b] out there who don't understand the process. [/quote] Bubba's??? Just what does that mean?

They need to do a little better research. ::) Spurger made the regional finals in '08, losing to Big Sandy. Spurger actually beat Cayuga that year in the regional semis.

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Good job Orangefield.

SETXsports broadcast will be better. >:(

[quote name="coachacola" post="774128" timestamp="1268188505"] 13-1, bottom of 6th. [/quote] Priarie View leading? ;)

SETXsports will broadcast both Silsbee and Spurger state semifinal games on Thursday at the Frank Erwin Center in Austin. Also, if one or both of our teams make it to the finals, we will broadcast those games as well. Thanks to Silsbee and Spurger sponsors for help making this happen!!! The first broadcast will be the Spurger vs. Cayuga semifinal at 9:50 am Thursday morning and our second broadcast will be Silsbee vs. Dallas Madison semifinal at 1:45 pm Thursday afternoon. Stay tuned for updated details and I will post each game broadcast thread on Wednesday night. SETXsports at the state tourney for the 3rd year in a row!!!

[quote name="ljeicp08" post="773378" timestamp="1268079683"] Here is an extended version of the highlights from Silsbee's victory over Hardin-Jefferson on Saturday. The video is 7 minutes long, and includes a shot of [b]SETXSports' very own Mike Sanchez at the beginning[/b]! [Hidden Content] Good luck to the Tigers and Pirates at State. [/quote] LAZEEK is in there too!!!! ;D

[Hidden Content] LOVE IT!!!!

That was a great pep rally today, glad I came up there. Court, was a pleasure talking to you and some of the other Pirate fans. Also was good to catch up with Coach Issacs and some of the Pirate players. Congrats to all in Spurger and good luck in Austin!!! I'll be there cheering you on! (also, court side got a little camera time today from Channel 6, check him out on the newscast tonight)

Aggie is still in basketball mode, then baseball. I'll talk football in July. ;D

According to the Silsbee Middle school coaches, Hamshire-Fannett's 7th grade team is legit, not a one man team. Silsbee's 8th grade team was undefeated district champs. ;D

Instead of the regular pickem contest (that I won btw, ;D) I will do a brackett challenge for this week's state tourney. I will list the pairings for each classification and you will need to pick both winners of the semifinals and then the winner of the finals in each classification. Here is an example: Lubbock Estacado                                 Estacado Stafford                                                           Silsbee Silsbee                                 Silsbee Dallas Madison Or just list the winners in each classification like this: 3A Estacado Silsbee champ Silsbee Which ever is easiest. Once you have completed your brackett, you cannot change any teams after Thursday morning. Here are the bracketts: 1A-DI Semifinals Gruver  Bronte Spurger  Cayuga 1A-DII Semifinals Grady Leggett Slocum  Nazareth 2A Semifinals New Waverly  Idalou Ponder  Hallettsvills  3A Semifinals Silsbee  Dallas Madison Lubbock Estacado  Staford 4A Semifinals Lancaster  Lake Travis Yates  The Colony 5A Semifinals SA Wagner  Garland Lakeview FB Bush  FM Marcus Good luck!!!