ANI Basketball Invitational
DeMatha Defeats Kingwood 58-48
By Robert H. Kelly
(Houston, Texas December 29, 2006) In the semifinal round of play at the Academy National Invitational, DeMatha (Maryland) High School advanced to the championship game by defeating Kingwood High School 58-48.
DeMatha played excellent defense, adding the fact that Kingwood could not find the basket, to give the Mustangs its first loss of the season.
DeMatha, ranked number 18 in the country by USA Today, and Kingwood, ranked number 10 by the same poll, fought tooth and nail, as the two most talented teams in the tournament.
In fact, it could be said that the game was the best high school basketball game contested in the history of the tournament, if not the Houston area.
Kingwood, behind by four points at the half, could only manage six points in the third quarter. In addition, they were a paltry 4 of 18 from the three point arc.
DeMatha turned those missed three pointers into easy rebounds and transition points.
Kingwood will face Norcross (Ga.) at 5:00pm Saturday in the third-place game.
DeMatha will meet St. Patrick’s (New Jersey) for the championships at 8:30pm.
All games are being played at the Aldine ISD’s Campbell Center
Norcross (GA) Defeats Kingwood 50-47
Takes 3rd Place in National Division
By Robert H. Kelly
(Houston, TX, December 31, 2006) In the game of third and fourth place teams in the National Division of the Academy National Invitational Tournament, Norcross (GA) High School defeated a tough Kingwood (TX) High School team 50-47.
Kingwood, 1-2 in the tournament, and 21-2 for the season, shot well from both the two and three point range, but it wasn’t enough to counteract the mildly charge offense of the Blue Devils.
Norcross had a slight advantage in shooting from the field, (18 of 44, 41%) compared to Kingwood (17 of 45, 38%). However neither team seemed to find the basket as much as they needed to.
In fact, Norcross’ Al-Farouq Aminu and Tony Neysmith tallied for 17 and 14 points respectively to lead the Blue Devils.
Compare that to Kingwood’s Mike Singletary, who has 22 points and was the only Mustang in double figures. It does take a basketball expect to figure out that if Kingwood doesn’t improve their shooting in intense situations, that are going to have a long, hard road to repeat as state championships.
One bright spot was the Mustangs’ free throw shooting (11 for 13, 85%). In an area that can make or break a team, Kingwood definitely toed the line in this aspect of the game.
This game was a match between two good basketball teams. Good, but not great. Only time will tell if they will reach the pinnacle of what they have the potential to be by season’s end.
Aldine Wins ANI Texas Division Title
By Robert H. Kelly
(Houston, TX December 30, 2006) Aldine came to the Academy National Invitational Basketball Tournament to face some good competition, turn up their skills, and prepare for their upcoming district opponents.
They came away from the Campbell Center as they Texas Division Championships.
Playing with a home court advantage, the Mustangs defeated a tough Klein Collins team 65-49.
Shooting 80 percent from the floor (22 of 34) and 89 percent from the free throw line was just too much for Collins.
Senior forward Gary Johnson set the pace for the Mustangs title. He was 9 of 13 from the floor and hit 8 of 9 free throws, tallying 24 points.
Teammates Brandon Williams chipped in 13 points with Donald Boston adding eight.
The Mustang defense virtually shut down the Collins offense, holding them to only 49 points for the game.
Collins dismal performance from the field (19 of 45, 42 %) combined with shooting only 50% of their free throws sealed their fate.
Both of these teams will not head into their district games with some high level playing experience under their belts.