ALDINE – Thirty-two of the best teams in the area met over the Holiday break.
The three day National Showcase Tournament benefitted the Texas Superstar Foundation, and the Aldine Education Foundation.
The winner in the final fame was the Sam Houston MSTC Tigers, defeating Beaumont Central 68-53. Central was ranked #7 in the state in the 5A division.
The tournament director was John Eurey, representing the Texas Superstar Foundation. He said this was the first annual Showcase tournament. It was held at M. O. Campbell Center, and three other high school gyms. Corporate sponsor for the games was Chick-fil-A, and Hilton Hotels.
Participating teams included Conroe SATCH, Aldine Nimitz, Houston CE King, Spring CHSM, New Orleans Landry Walker, Aldine MacArthur, Houston ProVision, Houston Madison, Beaumont Central, Houston 2nd Baptist, Katy HCYA, Baton Rouge Southern Lab, Alexandria Peabody Magnet, Houston Sharpstown, Houston Westbury Christian, Dickinson, Playa Del Rey CA St. Bernard’s, Houston Episcopal, Houston Sam Houston, Fort Bend Hightower, Dallas Cedar Hill, Houston St. John’s, Manvel, Aldine Davis, Fort Bend Bush, Houston North Forest, Katy Mayde Creek, Fallbrook Christian Academy, Oklahoma Putnam City West, Houston Sterling, Houston Kinkaid, and Aldine Eisenhower.
Dickinson played Hightower in the Consolation bracket, losing 44-62.
To reach the final game, Beaumont Central defeated Landry Walker 52-49, and Sam Houston defeated Fort Bend Bush.
In the final game, Sam Houston and Beaumont Central were fairly even in team play, with Sam Houston leading 34-28 at halftime. But in the second half, Sam Houston strengthened their defense, and went on a three-point offensive that increased their lead to as much as 15 points, which Central was not able to close the difference. Both teams played good basketball, and played hard, as a high foul count indicated.
Most valuable player was Sam Houston’s Kendric Davis, a 5’10” sophmore guard. Coach was Ralph Barreras.
In summary, Aldine Athletic Director Richard Delgado said it was a very successful tournament with 54 games over 3 days, and hundreds of attendees from four states.