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The Launch Recap, 4-0 Teams

By AlamoCityHoops Staff, 07/07/20, 11:45AM CDT

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Only 7 teams remained perfect after The Launch showcase. Here's our full recap...

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Round Rock, TX-

As showcase play continued on Sunday at “The Launch,” the undefeated teams started to tumble. When the dust settled late Sunday afternoon, sevens teams stood with 4-0 marks. Here’s our final recap.

(17U Division)

FAOT Allstars, 4-0
Any given game, a group of players whether it be Jonas Carlisle (South San HS/2021), Shane Perales (South San/2022), Chris Villarreal (McCollum HS/2022), Angelo Samudio (McCollum HS/2021), Diego Mendez (East Central HS/2020), or Manny Rabago, this squad always had someone step up and share the load. As guards, they were threats all weekend with most of their scoring from inside the arc, but on plenty of occasions they stretched defenses showing the ability to connect from beyond the arc too. Three of their four wins came by 18 points or more, and in their toughest contest they outlasted TX Hardwork Black 16U, 71-68. Overall an impressive weekend by the Allstars, and of the talent Samudio led the group averaging 16pts a contest.

Austin Defenders Elite 2021, 4-0
In front for the Defenders was 6’3” sharpshooting guard Andrew O’Neal (Round Rock HS/2021). He finished all 4 games in double digits and went off for 6 treys in their win over SA Proskills Black, finishing with 26 pts. The lefty made a very good impression as he could score at all three levels, showing an array of moves in getting to the hoop off the dribble, used a nice mid-range jumpshot and dialing it up from deep. The attack just wasn’t O’neal, as other standouts and high school teammates helped carry the load, Jackson O’Neal (Round Rock/2021), Braden Lee (Round Rock HS/2021), Nazar Mahomoud (Rouse HS/2023) and Keith Davis (SA Reagan/2021) all had their moments in the Defenders going undefeated.

STAT Elite 2021, 4-0
Just as the Defenders and Allstars, a deep, talented team that has many weapons who can all do damage. A different player led STAT Elite in scoring, for each of their wins. Jackson Reid (New Braunfels HS/2021), Diego Colon (Homeschool/2022), JaRayl Peoples (Crocket HS/2021), and Keegan Pugh (Navarro HS/2021), all had high marks in their games. Reid and Peoples, a pair of 6’4” guards/wings who compliment each other very well. Jackson showed a nice touch hitting from outside the arc, while Peoples is a slasher and showed the ability to finish above the rim. Pugh is a wide 6’9” body down low that is a tough mismatch for most, and Colon is a jack of all trades guard who can fill up the score sheet or also facilitate. This versatile and talented group make STAT Elite a tough draw for any opponent.

(16U Division)

ATX Lockdown 2022, 4-0
Lockdown performed as a well-oiled machine all weekend, with their closest margin of victory being 10 points. TJ Johnson (Belton HS/2022), Jacob Swaboda (Cedar Park HS/2022), Jose Waring (Georgetown HS/2022), Levi Rutledge (Cedar Park HS/2023), and Wyatt Kieke (Cedar Park HS/2022) made this group a very deep and talented one. Johnson continues to show that he’s a Top 10 Tri-Region talent in the 2022 class. An above average athlete who is deadly from outside, good size and length at 6’5”. He went off for 6 treys and 29pts in one of their wins. Jose Waring showed us he will be rising in our updated Top 30 2022 rankings later this summer/fall. His double-double of 20pts and 21rebs was the most complete performance of the weekend in their win over the Texas Superboys. At 6’5”, he’s the definition of versatile, can score down low and has the ability to attack and play on the wing, plus hit the set outside shot. Swaboda is a deceptively quick point guard who is the head of the snake and makes the Lockdown machine go. In the blink of an eye he’ll blow by his defenders, and either finish or find the open teammate. Kieke is a sniper and will nail it from anywhere on the court and doesn’t need much space. At 6’6”, only a 2023, Levi Rutledge is an extremely intriguing prospect. As he continues to grow into his frame and get stronger, he will solidify his position as a D1 prospect. His overall game continues to blossom. From showing a nice catch and shoot ability, to playing on the wing, handling the ball and attacking. Overall this group was impressive.

CTX Knights, 4-0
Usually during our events there is a surprise team or group, one that we may not be all that familiar with, but that raises eye brows. This year’s team that fits the mold are the CTX Knights. The Knights were led by a 1-2 combo of Jaishun Upton (Akins HS/2022) and Quinton Hairston (Hays Johnson HS/2023). Both guards took turns in shouldering the scoring load. Upton did most of his work inside the arc, using his mid-range game and finishing at the rim. While Hairston, only a sophomore to be, used his 6’3” frame very nicely. Good length and showed he has the range from outside knocking down 2 treys in their 46-39 win over Austin Proskills 16U. Anderson Stanley and Jordan Dunn also helped lead the Knights registering double-digits in some of their wins. We have our eyes on the Knights and will be tracking to see how they fair the rest of the summer.

(15U Division)

SA Tarheels 2024, 4-0
These freshmen to be were on top of their game all weekend. Playing up in the 15U division, they showed no intimidation at all, battled, and beat teams in tight games, and also registered a couple of double-digit blowouts. Leading the charge was the jittery quick 5’9” point guard, Marcus Williams (Taft HS/2024). When the ball gets into his hands, he has that extra gear that makes it tough for anyone to stay in front of him. He used both hands so well, had no issues in attacking off the dribble, and would let it fly from anywhere on the court. Had two 24pt games and knocked down a total of 11 three-pointers on the weekend. Another impressive freshman to be was Isaiah Fox (Warren HS/2024). The 6’0” guard has a strong frame going into high school ball and he uses it very well to drive and finish with contact, not fearing any defenders down low. In their win over the Austin Defenders Black 2024, he pitched in 12pts and showed a little bit of distance on his jump shot, banging down 2 treys. Caden Cooper (2024) also added a scoring punch, going for 10, 11, and 12pts in 3 of their 4 wins.

Centex Attack Lee, 4-0
Head Coach Carmelo Lee had his young squad ready to play, winning three of their games by at least 18 points or more. Liberty Hill teammates Gunther Daniels and Cayden Branch, both 2023’s, set the pace. At 6’4”, Daniels has good size, and showed versatility hitting 3 three-pointers in their 56-50 win over ATX Lockdown 2023. Matching his 13pts was Branch, who by our count connected on at least 7 treys for the weekend, showing off a nice shooting touch. At times, Pierece Holmes (McNeil HS/2023), Camden Justice (Liberty Hill/2023), and Hayden Lucas (Leander HS/2023) all contributed, going for double figures in the scoring column and helped aid the Attack to their perfect weekend of 4-0.