Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Austin played host to a unique event this past weekend. The Rawl Cup which was co-promoted by my friend Mike Grabert of http://www.visionsports.com/ was a mid level event talent wise, but it had the flair of international competition with club teams from Norway, Mexico, Japan & Chile to name a few countries.
We threw one of our newly minted 15U (Class of 2013) groups into the fire. The boys went 3-3, although their losses were by 1, 1 & 4 in the consolation final to a well coached Smithson Valley group under the direction of Jeff Logsdon. But wins and losses were not the story of the day. It was the cultural exchange that was so rewarding.
I had the pleasure of just hanging out ( I spent the weekend in the official capacity of athletic trainer) while watching about 30 games in the 4 day event. The international kids did not disappoint in terms of their fundamentals and the way they executed the little things well.
Although the D-1 Ambassadors did not play Mexico (below) I got to know the Mexican coaches very well, striking up a friendship and a potential pipeline of talented players into the United States looking for the opportunity to play high school and college basketball. Mexico lost a heartbreaking playoff contest against Japan in sudden death overtime!
Below: The D-1 Ambassadors pose with the kids from Chile after beating the South Americans 55-43.
Below: The Texas D-1 Ambassadors and Japan share comaraderie after the D-1 won a close one, 57-54 in a come from behind win.
Below Left: D-1 Ambassador 2013 Wesley Brown, a 6'5" post from Pflugerville Hendrickson burns a memory with this great photo with his new Chilean friend. Brown oozes potential as he grows into a long, lanky frame.
Below Right: Texas D-1 Ambassadors Coach Reggie Bostic who is as class a guy as you'll find shares fellowship with the Chilean coach (who is actually from Argentina). Coach Bostic is an example of the class, qualified people mentoring and coaching in the D-1 Nation. An Austin police officer, Coach Bostic ( a Detroit, MI native) had a brother play for Michigan State & a sister play for Indiana who still holds some of their all time records!
Below: 2013 G Darian Bostic of Pflugerville (shown with the Panthers) had a breakout game in the championship as he scored 19, dropped 8 dimes and took care of the basketball. Must be something in the water up there as Panthers Coach Mike Murphy keeps producing one D-1 potential guard after another.
Great job men! Coach Max
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