ASAK CLASSIC DAY 1
Game#1: ASAK ELITE 65 THP ELITE 61
The opening game was between two of Austin, Texas’ finest battling for more then bragging rights, Texas Hardwood Prospects versus the host team ASAK Elite! This game was a tough fight throughout and like they say, “you hate to see one lose, but there can only be one winner’. ASAK Elite gets the win behind a blanced scoring attack led by 6’4’’ guard KESHAWN WILLIAMS (Pflugerville Hedrickson 2021) with 12pts! 6’2’’ guard KENDALLl DOW (SA Johnson 2022) chipped in 11pts and 2023 guard KADEN GUMBS ADDED 10pts to help seal the deal for the win. Williams is known as an outside shooter but he showed that he can put the ball on the floor, blow by defenders and finish strong. Dow is a scorer that gets it done with a deadly mid-range jumper but will step back and hit from behind the arc. Gumbs is slowly but surely turning heads with his athleticism and versatility on both ends. One evaluator said that “Kadon seemed very poised for his age.” Playing well for THP Elite were NATE BROOKS (Waco High 2021) with 12pts, JAHVANTE O’CONNER (Austin High) and REESE MILLER (Round Rock 2022).
Game#2 : TAZ ELITE 61 PROSKILLS – AUSTIN 33
TAZ Elite, which was made of mostly of the DFW NIKE EYBL ProSkills squad, but none of the LOCALS knew of this team but after the win over ProSkills-Austin, TAZ ELITE features one of the best guards in the state of Texas, CASON WALLACE of Richardson High, who is an impact on both ends of the court. In this game, CJ NOLAND (Waxahachie) led a balanced offensive attack with 12pts. Noland has been taking advantage of the short Summer session by continuing to get buckets and show that he can guard multiple positions. MONTEZ YOUNG (Lake Ridge) chipped in 9pts, but he wowed the crowd with his elite athleticism. This kid defies the laws of gravity when leaves the ground.
Game#3 SOUTHERN ASSAULT 80 NEXT LEVEL RAIDERS 63
The Adidas sponsored SOUTHERN ASSAULT squad rolled in their first game looking for a fight and got one against NEXT LEVEL RAIDERS before pulling away with the victory. At the half, only 5 points separated these two teams. 2021 WADE TAYLOR (Lancaster) led the way with 15pts but he dazzled us most with his great ball handling, speed bursts and hot shooting from anywhere. HARRISON INGRAM (St. Mark’s) is the team’s high profiled player but has missed about a month due to left wrist injury. Ingram returned and didn’t miss a beat, he had 13pts in this one and played outstanding overall. Southern Assault is deep in talent, MASON GIBSON of Allen High continued to pay well as did DAMON NICHOLAS of Duncaville High. Leading the scoring attack for NEXT LEVEL RAIDERS was BRYON ARMSTRONG with 25pts! Armstrong is a dual sport athlete and had no problems throwing big frame around for the Raiders. Even though he appears to be a football player playing basketball, his bball skills are very adequate and he play. Also playing well was lead guard GAVINO RAMOS (SA ANTONIAN 2021) who put in 21pts for the Raiders. This kid continues to impress with high basketball IQ, tough mindset, playmaking abilities, scoring and defense. He makes everyone better and is absolutely a joy to watch play.
Game #4 TEAM F.O.E. 71 ASAK ELITE 69
TEAM F.O.E. is another DFW squad that was big and intimidating but the host squad fought tooth and nail down to the last shot before the final buzzer went off with TEAM F.O.E. winning by tow. F.O.E was led by 6’10” post SHAKIRU ODUNEWU (Universal Academy 2021) with 17pts and a slew of rebounds and shot blocks. The big man owned the paint and didn’t have a problem reminding his opponents, showing that mean streak within. 6’2” guard JUAN REYNA (Duncanville 2021) added 15pts putting on a nice outside shooting exhibition. Also playing well for F.O.E. was 2023 CROIX COX was pretty active inside the paint, especially on the offensive glass, he chipped in 10pts. ASAK ELITE didn’t back down, inspired by the emotions provided by “hired gun” COLETON BENSON (Austin Bowie 2021)! Benson made clutch shot after another providing huge sparks that had all of the ASAK players fired up. JAILEN BEDFORD (HUTTO 2021) hit some big time shots, finishing with 14pts!
Game# 5 SOUTHERN ASSAULT 58 HOUSTON DEFENDERS 28
Adidas versus Under Armour was the talk of this game before it started. We had already saw Southern Assault earlier and we didn’t know what to expect from the Houston Defenders. The Defenders looked long and very athletic before the start of this one. When it began, it looked as if Assault’s Head Coach Vonzell Thomas had his boys take of the basketball shoes in favor for the track shoes because Assault was out the gate running! Most importantly, they’re team defense was vice-grip-like as they stifle the Defenders. 6’7” forward COLIN SMITH (St. Mark’s 2022) put in 15pts with some nice tough inside buckets, but he also hit some nice jump-shots. WADE TAYLOR chipped in 11pts. The kid that caught my eye once again was MASON GIBSON who continued to make plays on both ends and always wins the 50/50 balls.
Game#6 TAZ ELITE 73 TEXAS HARDWORK 65
This was scheduled to be the marquee matchup of the day and despite HardWork missing some notable star players, they still made a game of this one. TAZ ELITE’s guard CASON WALLACE led the team in scoring with 15pts but was very impressive in controlling the final minutes of this game to ensure the victory for his squad. Waxahachie 6’5’’ guard JALEN LAKE (2021) stepped up with a good outside shooting performance for his team. Hired Gun, MATTHEW STONE (Kingfisher High, OK) played outstanding, getting tough buckets, snagging some tough boards and killing momentum for Hardwork at the right times with his defense. Texas Hardwork got an oustanding scoring performance from 2022 guard AUSTIN NUNEZ (SA Wagoner) with 23pts. Nunez is not flashy but he can score the ball by getting through the lane and pulling up or finishing at the rim. Would have to have witnessed this game with Hardwork at full strength. Missing were 6’11 post VICTOR IWUCHKWU (La Lumiere), 6’10’’ JARRELL COLBERT (SA Wagoner) and 6’4’’ guard MANNY OBASEKI (John Paul II).
Game#7 TEAM F.O.E. 62 T.H.P. ELITE 36
TEAM F.O.E. wasted no time in dismantling THP Elite with their athleticism and size. 2021 guard JIMIL COFER (Universal Academy) showed his dominance throughout this game with 20pts by being physical and playing fast. Juan Reyna kicked in 10pts. 2021 6’9’’ POST WILL SHEPERD (Universal Academy) put in 10pts, unveiling a nice pick-pop-out-jumper. THP ELITE had a good shooting game from BLAKE NIELSON (Austin Westlake 2021) who hit 4 three-pointers totaling 12pts,
Game#8 NEXT LEVEL RAIDERS 69 HOUSTON DEFENDERS 61
This outcome of this game was somewhat of a shocker to most, but those that know the Next Level Raiders, this was not surprising at all. The Raiders play hard on both ends, they’re an experienced ball club that has been together for awhile, and they don’t make a lot of mistakes. Their PG, Gavino Ramos, is one of the craftiest and skilled in the state of Texas. He can score it on the best of them and he had no problem dropping 23pts in this game. The Raiders also got some big time inside play from 6’7” post SETH THOMAS (SA Reagan 2021) who chipped in 11pts. The Houston Defenders were led by guard NOAH KON (Houston Christian 2021) with 13pts and 6’9” post BRANDON LOVE (Ft. Bend Bush 2021) added 10pts. Kon is a small pg but has impressive upper body strength and in air body control. Kon seems like he stays in the air longer than most. Love is lanky and he knows how to use his length to protect the rim.
Game#9 TEXAS HARDWORK 59 PROSKILLS – AUSTIN 52
HARDWORK felt the pressure of having to win this game in the early going, but they ended up pulling this game out in the end. 6’5 RAMON WALKER (Shadow Creek 2021) stepped up with 16pts. Kid was big on the boards, hit clutch buckets down the stretch JOSEPH VENZANT (Midland Christian 2021) was pretty good too chipping in 15pts. Venzant has deadly midrange jumper but he knifed his through the lane for some tough buckets. ProSkills-Austin got a big performance inside the paint from MARCEL BRYANT (Cedar Ridge 2022)
ASAK CLASSIC DAY TWO
GAME#1: PROSKILLS-AUSTIN 71 – HOUSTON DEFENDERS 70
The opening game was a thriller from beginning to the end as 6’4” wing JAVON WALKER (Killeen Ellison 2022) hits a three pointer from the right side corner at the buzzer to win the game for PRO SKILLS-AUSTIN! TRENDON STEWART of Killeen Ellison led the way with 21 points with a variety of ways that he got buckets for PRO SKILLS-AUSTIN. The DEFENDERS got 19 points from 6’0” point guard NOAH KON (Houston Christian 2021) and 65” guard PATRICK PUNCH (Houston Eisenhower 2021) chipped in 12points.
GAME#2 TEAM F.O.E. 69 – NEXT LEVEL RAIDERS 55
This game had an awkward feeling in the 1st half for Team F.O.E. as the RAIDERS flexed their team chemistry by finding ways to keep the game close, but in the end, Team F.O.E. ended up making the crucial baskets to give them the victory. Team F.O.E. were led by Duncanille 2021 guard JUAN REYNA with 16 points and 6’9” post CROIX COX chipped in points.
GAME#3 TEXAS HARDWORK 93 – ASAK ELITE 91
In THE PRESSURE COOKER GAME of the tournament HardWork found themselves in a dog fight with the tournament’s host team! This game was tight from wire to wire, with both teams knocking down clutch shots after another. RAMON WALKER (Houston Shadow Creek 2021) was just magnificent in this one leading HardWork with 27 points! HardWork got five other players with double digits in scoring. ASAK ELITE got a great scoring performances from 6’1” guard COLETON BENSON (Austin Bowie 2021) and 6’3” guardJAILEN BEDFORD (Hutto 2021) with 21 point a piece;
GAME#4 SOUTHERN ASSAULT 63 – TEAM F.O.E. 48
Coach Vonzell Thomas had his Southern Assault in KILL MODE all torunament long as they continued their winning ways by applying serious pressure on the ball at all positions. This team not only plays hard on the defensive end but other end, they can score it at all levels. Their guard play throughout this tournament was superior as China Springs guard ELI STEPHENS and CARSON HOLDER lead a well balanced scoring attack with 11 points each and send propel their squad to the CHAMPIONSHIP GAME!
GAME#5 TAZ ELITE 63 – TEXAS HARDWORK 43
TAZ ELITE closed out the great run put up by HardWork who came to this tournament missing three of their stars. TAZ ELITE were just too seasoned and bigger inside as Manvel 6’8” post SHAUN WALKER and Waxahachie 6’3” guard CJ NOLAND score 14pts each to advance to the CHAMPIONSHIP GAME!
GAME#6 T.H.P. ELITE 75 – ASAK GOLD 59
THP ELITE played the ASAK GOLD team in the CONSOLATION GAME and they both provided plenty of highlights for Tbscouts.com that did the live stream cast for the event. THP ELITE got 17 points from 6’6” guard MIKE ROBERTSON (Aikens HS 2021). 6’3” guard NATE BROOKS (Waco high 2021) put up 11 points. The future of ASAK GOLD was unveiled in 2023 6’1” guard NAZAR MAHMOUD of Leander Rouse had 15 points! 2022 Harker Heights 6’4 guard ANTWAN TAYLOR contributed 15 strong points too!
THE 3RD PLACE GAME AND CHAMPIONSHIP WERE NOT PLAYED DUE TO THE DFW TEAMS WANTING TO GET ON THE ROAD.
FROM CRAIG CARLTON AND ALL OF THE ASAK STAFF, WE THANK ALL OF YOU FOR PARTICIPATING IN OUR FIRST ANNUAL ASAK CLASSIC AND WE HOPE TO SEE ALL OF YOU AGAIN NEXT YEAR!!!
Hotel Information:
Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Lakeway
15707 Oak Grove Blvd.
Austin TX 78734
512-735-5555
St. Michael’s Athletic Center
3000 Barton Creek Blvd
Austin TX 78735
ASAK NATION CLASSIC
| POOL A | POOL B | POOL C |
| 1. TAZ ELITE | 1. SOUTHERN ASSAULT | 1. ASAK ELITE |
| 2. TX HARDWORK | 2. HOUSTON DEFENDERS | 2. TEAM F.O.E. |
| 3. PROSKILLS-AUSTIN | 3. NEXT LEVEL RAIDERS | 3. T.H.P. ELITE |
SATURDAY 8/29/2020
9:00AM ASAK ELITE (65) VS THP ELITE (61)
10:15AM TAZ ELITE (64) VS PROSKILLS-AUSTIN (33)
11:30AM SOUTHERN ASSAULT (80) VS NEXT LEVEL RAIDERS (63)
12:45PM ASAK ELITE (69) VS TEAM F.O.E. (71)
2:00PM SOUTHERN ASSAULT (58) VS HOUSTON DEFENDERS (28)
3:15PM TAZ ELITE (73) VS TX HARDWORK (65)
4:30PM TEAM F.O.E. (62) VS THP ELITE (36)
5:45PM HOUSTON DEFENDERS (61) VS NEXT LEVEL RAIDERS (69)
7:00PM TX HARDWORK (59) VS PROSKILLS-AUSTIN (52)
SUNDAY 9/30/2020
8:00AM PROSKILLS (71) vs HOUSTON DEFENDERS (70)
9:15AM NEXT LEVEL RAIDERS (55) vs TEAM F.O.E. (69)
10:30AM TX HARDWORKD (93) vs ASAK ELITE (91)
11:45AM SOUTHERN ASSAULT (63) vs TEAM F.O.E (48)
1:00PM TAZ ELITE (63) vs TX HARDWORD (43)
2:15PM THP ELITE (75) vs ASAK GOLD (59)
1st: TAZ ELITE
SOUTHERN ASSAULT
3RD: TEAM F.O.E
4TH: TX HARDWORK
The Chandler Carlton Never Give Up Award – Southern Assault’s – Mason Gibson
All Tournament Selection – Cason Wallace (Tournament MVP) and Matthew Stone of TAZ ELITE
All Tournament – TEAM F.O.E. Jimil Cofer and Juan Reyna
All Tournament – Texas HARDWORKD (SA): Joseph Venzant, Austin Nunez and Ramon Walk
ALL TOURNAMENT – ASAK ELITE – Coleton Benson, Kaden Gumbs and Jailand Bedford
ALL TOURNAMENT – NEXT LEVEL RAIDERS – Gavino Ramos and Byron Armstrong
ALL TOURNAMENT – T.H.P. ELITE – Post PETIA DOGALE
ALL TOURNAMENT – TAZ ELITE – CJ NOLAND