Dudes who are supposed to be Dudes played like it in the Season Opener. It made me happy to see that. I’m hard on kids that I think should be playing at a higher level, when they don’t perform. Several players had big games on a big stage, and some new faces burst on the scene… Here are the 1st and 2nd All “Season Opener” teams.
MVP
2019 6’8 F Montavious Murphy (Concordia Lutheran)– Not going lie… I have never seen him play like this, EVER. This was his biggest game on the big stage. He was head & shoulders the best player that played in the Campbell Center yesterday, and that’s saying a lot considering some of the other guys I’ll mention below. He was fantastic. He looked athletic, he looked confident, he looked like a big 12 commit. A LOUD 32 points and 8 rebounds. I was impressed with his performance. Went baseline for a dunk, got 2 tip dunks, and hit 3’s… it was for sure MURPHY’s LAW yesterday
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1st Team
2020 6’5 G Tramon Mark (Dickinson)– Turned all the way up yesterday. Yesterday he flipped that switch to “ON”, dropping 43 big ones on Morton Ranch. This performance, and how’s he played this fall, shows why he’s considered one of the best players in America. Hit 3’s, scored in transition, hit shots in the half court, and had several acrobatic finishes over the top of people. He’s playing like he has a point to prove, played like an elite “2”.
2021 6’2 Noah Kon (Houston Christian)– He looked comfortable with the ball in his hands all game, I can tell he’s been in the gym working on getting better with his reads and decision making. I’m not saying he’s Jason Kidd, but I can definitely see a change. Struggled with his free throw accuracy last spring/summer, he went 18-21 from the line vs Humble. He carried Houston Christian, wanting the ball at the end of the game to close it out going 8-9 from the line in the 4th quarter.
2019 6’4 Kevin Baker (Sam Houston)– I love how big he plays. All Goon team member, got dirty work job done once again against Spring Woods. Crafty, skilled, a bruiser, Baker was the heart & soul of Sam Houston. Played with great energy and intensity, rebounded in traffic, & took lunch money in the paint. 21 points, 14 boards, and W!
2020 6’2 LJ Cryer (Morton Ranch)- With Jahari Long, teammate Eddie Lampkin, and now Tramon Mark breathing down his neck for that #1 spot, Cryer came out looking to score and looking to score often. Was dominant yesterday, going bucket for bucket in the duel with Mark. Scored in every way imaginable. Albeit he has more help, once Dickinson was set on him stopping him, he found his teammates open for some easy baskets. Took the game over in the 2nd half scoring 19 of his 29 points and helping Morton Ranch pull away.
2019 5’11 Kharee McDaniel (Klein Forest)– Stepped up to the plate and met the challenge of dealing with the Ike twins. Played with really good pace and poise. Attacked when it was time and ran offense when he needed to. In a game like this he could have easily got caught up in the match up or crowd, but he showed veteran leadership. When Ike made their run, he signaled for his team to settle down, and then he went on to score 3 straight trips down the floor. A hard earned 22 points against a well-coached and good defensive team is no easy task, I hope he keeps this chip on his shoulder all year.
2nd Team
2019 Joqaurius Valrie (Yates)– This kid was EVERYWHERE, one sequence I saw him hit a 3 in the corner, then sprint to half court to get a deflection, that led to steal which turned into another 3 from him at the top of the key! His hot shooting in 3rd quarter gave Yates a little space between Beaumont United. Ended up connecting on four 3’s, including a big one in the 4th quarter to put Yates up by 5. Played with great energy, and gave his team a spark when the game got close. A big 26 point performance.
2019 6’4 Jesse Zarzuela (Spring Woods)– Had no intentions of being stopped and was in his duffel the whole game. He was the one man press break against Sam Houston. Took on ever defense they threw at him and passed with flying colors. Offensively gifted, tight handle, big time scorer, and used his size to finish tough layups in traffic. He’s getting more and more confident, interested to see how he transitions to the next level. Seemed like he had 50, finished with 29 points. Needed some help from his teammates.
2019 6’0 Ja’Mare Redus (Eisenhower)– “Twin” did he everything he could to lead his Ike team to a win vs Klein Forest. He hit timely baskets and brought his team to the brink of taking the lead but could never quite close the gap. Hit some pull up 3’s and seemed to take on the whole team at times. Was a one-man wrecking crew, that ran out of gas at the end of the game. Exploded for a game high 34 points in the loss.
2022 6’0 Amaree Abram (Port Arthur Memorial)– Young boy came to play in a MAJOR way. After he got his early game jitters out of the way, Memorial’s coach put the ball in his hands, as it should have been, and he took the game over. Showed range out to the 3 point line, and finished in the paint, played like he’s been here before. Didn’t get rattled and wanted the ball at the end of the game, once he gets stronger and really learns how to play the PG at this level, Port Arthur will have their next high major guard. Led his team with 22 points.
2020 6’0 Dylan Miles (Humble)– Has taken his game to another level. Has been as a catch and shoot player, improved his handle and used it to get to the basket, and setting up his jumper. Hit 3 of his 3’s off the bounce with guys running at him. Starting to become a leader on his team. Loving his progression, Led his team with 19 points vs Houston Christian.
2019’s 6’5 Keiman Capers/6’7 Jalin Means (Northshore)– These 2 guys were the difference in the game, using their size and experience to dominate inside. Means was very active on both ends of the floor, a long, lanky prospect who controlled the paint. Capers was his usual steady self, doing a little bit of everything to help his team win. They combined for 33 points and 22 rebounds. A formidable duo that hasn’t been getting as much ink, look out for these guys on the east side!
