Teddy Wheeler, along with the support of Adidas, University Sports and Eastbay, has created a big time showcase, Stars and Stripes. This is a special event, as Wheeler has partnered with his oldest daughter to create a legacy for their family and the family business of basketball. This showcase will feature several top players and teams in the state of Texas. Several great individual and team match ups will draw the attention of several colleges and national, state, and local media. This will be a fun event, here’s the Day 1 preview.
4pm: Woodlands Christian vs Beaumont Westbrook
The defending TAPPS state champs have played a tough schedule so far this year, with a record of 6-5, they will be primed for another state run. They have a strong 2020 class featuring Bakari Lastrap who leads the team in assists, Nash Golaszewski, who’s shooting over 40% from 3, and EJ Jones, leads in rebounds. The veteran leadership of 2019 combo Zach Golaszewski, who averages 13ppg, will be key as Westbrook will be looking to speed WC up and force turnovers. Peter Simon, Wetsbrook’s top player, has been cooking with the good grease this season. His season averages of 18, 8r, 5a, and 6 steals are eye popping but his 35, 9a, 8r, 5s performance against Lufkin really caught my attention. He will have a tall task of producing those type of numbers against the WC back court. Sophomore pg Jaquan Yates, is WB’s floor general, and a kid I will be keeping my eye on. Inside Westbrook is led by 2019 big Clayton Carpenter, look forward to seeing the match up of him vs Jones inside.
Beaumont Westbrook 76- Woodlands Christian 70
5:30: ISchool Academy (Dallas) vs Texas Christian
This will be the clash of the titans inside as both teams have very formidable front courts. Ischool features Rivals top 100 big man 6’11 Johnathan Aku, and Rivals top 125 6’8 wing Quevian “Don’t me call me Quavo” Adger. They are athletic and tough inside, and play with high intensity. Also keep an eye out for 2020 Peter Krivokapic who has a long range clip! Texas Christian, which features ESPN 2021 top 10 Jerrell Colbert, 6’11 2021 Sam Onu, and 2022 6’10 Mo Ngom. Freshman pg Austin Bengini has been playing really well as of late, learning how to play at the HS level. This game will come down to guard play, and which team can execute in the half court.
Ischool- 73- Texas Christian 65
7pm: Universal Academy(Dallas) vs Episcopal
Very intriguing game with several nice individual match ups. Universal features 6’7 2021 Arthur Kaluma, arguably the top 2021 player in the state of Texas. He’s a walking double-double, extremley talented and plays at a high level. I can’t wait to see him go against the 2020 Episcopal duo of Dj Nussbaum and Adam Kanafani, both of whom rebound the ball on both sides well, and defend. Kaluma’s teammate, 2020 Jaylin Posey is a butter smooth guard who can handle, pass, and shoot, and sneaky bouncy. His dual with junior Jahari Long of Episcopal will be a good one! They matched up earlier this fall at the TCU Elite camp.
Episcopal 80- Universal 76
8:30: Houston Christian vs St. Thomas Episcopal
Houston Christian is a surprising 13-4 without Sahvir Wheeler, and a huge part of that success goes to 2021 G Noah Kon. Kon has been really good this year, leading his team in scoring and assists. He’s turned the corner as a lead guard, and the work in the gym outside of practice is showing. His 2021 classmates of Kobe Haynes and Elijah Bernstein have also stepped up and contributed as well. Haynes is averaging around 14 points per game playing both guard spots, and Bernstein, the team’s designated shooter is knocking down over 42% of his 3’s. Senior Ty Archibald has been giving them the toughness they need to close games. STE is led by their back court of junior Melvin Holloway IV and Jakoby Flores who lead the country in distance shooting, they each average over 20 ppg and shoot 41% from 3. They currently lead the state in 3 point attempts.
Houston Christian 80- STE 67