San Antonio, TX-

                The first ever “Launch” was held in March of 2017, and in the blink of an eye, this past weekends concluded the 9th edition of the AlamoCityHoops Launch. As the saying goes, time flies when you’re having fun.

For the third straight year our 14U-17U divisions sold out hitting 66 teams or more (officially 69 teams), and the action was non-stop from sun up to sun down on both days.

Six 17U teams were able to compete and navigate the competition, coming out undefeated on the weekend. Here’s our staffs look at how they fared:

(17U Division)

ATX Lockdown 4-0
For those that know AlamoCityHoops, this is a very familiar tune. New year, new faces, and same results from Coach Dion and his club. Three of their 4 wins came in double digit format and our staff saw a new face in 6’5 guard Luke Carpenter (Westwood HS). A long, quick footed, athletic guard who scored in double digits every game and made play after play. The veteran of the group is Tate Tapken (Lake Travis HS). The 6’2” guard has always been consistent with his range and his scoring picked up, leading Lockdown in that column for 2 of their 4 wins. His accuracy was on center stage with two clutch back to back treys in their 65-59 win over Texas Hardwork Bones.

YGC CTX PUMA NXT 3-0
Our staff got it’s first glimpse of the Central Texas program and they did not disappoint. 6’4 guard Rushton Budge (Dripping Springs HS) led the offensive output in 2 of the 3 wins. Victories that took resolve as YGC edged out not one, but two one-point wins. In their final game Alex Jacobs (Lake Travis HS) dropped 22 points and connected on 6 three-pointers in a back and forth game with Texas Hardwork 2026. However it was Devin Lineberger (Stony Point HS) who would get an offensive rebound with one second left and put it back up and in at the buzzer for the win.

New Era Basketball Red 3-0
The 1-2 guard combo of Curtis Jerrells III (Hays HS) and Robert Davis Jr. (Del Valle HS) were a tough matchup for all comers over the weekend. Both displayed smooth shooting ability with range, and had no issues putting the ball on the floor to attack defenders and find their way to the tin. Both alternated in leading NEB in scoring and catapulted the team to a perfect weekend. Jerrells is a 6’2” shooting guard who will certainly open more eyes throughout the spring and summer, as long as he remains consistent.

Houston Hoops Centex Miller 3-0
When a different scorer leads you in every game, that is the true mark of a well-balanced team. Nabil Ismael (Cedar Park HS), Gavin Howard (Vista Ridge HS), and John Chuo (Westwood HS), were the example to do it by. All served as a high scorer in their teams wins.The closest margin of victory was a 13-point “W” over SA Premier, 79-66, and the aforementioned Howard displayed a nice perimeter touch in helping his Hoops club.

Houston Hoops Centex Route 3-0
Wins by 27, 33, and 23 points, sum it up perfectly. Wins all in a “Route.” The catalyst for Hoops Centex was guard Rhett Route (Cedar Ridge HS) as he led the team in scoring in all three wins, and was arguably the most accurate and productive sniper all weekend, sinking 12 treys in just three games. A very quick trigger, unlimited range and despite only being 5’10”, does not need much space at all to let it fly. Is a true spark plug on the floor.

BTB Unsigned Sr’s Robles 4-0
This group of unsigned seniors played with a purpose and had two comfortable wins and also two wins where they buckled down and pulled them out in crunch time. 6’3” shooting guard Aaron Garcia (Holy Cross HS) lit up the score sheets with a 25 and 24 point display, and finished the weekend averaging 19 ppg. A long lanky frame who did the majority of his damage from the mid-range, extended wing, and getting to the hole.

Throughout the week we’ll recap the 16U and 15U divisions and breakdown who also took care of business on the hardwood over the weekend.