D-1 Nation Expands

It only made sense to happen eventually.  The Austin area’s two programs with the pedigree and legacy of being the home of Division One players; Texas D-1 Ambassadors (Boys/Girls) & Austin Elite (Girls) have now merged together.  A hearty welcome is extended to Coach Tommy Gregg & Coaches Fonzell & Angel Martin and the Austin Elite Family as they become an integral part of the D-1 Nation.

 

 

Their 10 plus years of serving Cen Tex, along with their many contacts at the college level will mesh well with the existing infrastructure and resources offered by the D-1 Ambassadors. Current D-1 Girls Program Director Joseph Dean & Coach Billy James endorsed this relationship wholeheartedly.  Along with myself, it’s a meshing together of FRIENDS and basketball people with a common purpose: 

 

 

“To provide the next generation of  young ladies in the Austin/San Antonio area the highest level of development/camps, competition, MAXIMUM EXPOSURE and recruiting guidance as they pursue their dreams of excelling in high school, and ultimately of playing college basketball.”

The Texas D-1 Ambassadors – Austin Elite team traveled to Houston, TX on March 27-28, 2010 to compete at the Houston Insiders Showcase Event to start the 2010 season. The aggressive and talented players of the 15U and 17U teams coached by Tommy Gregg and Fonzell Martin showed everyone what they came to do, PLAY BALL. The 15U team had a perfect 5-0 record winning the Houston Insiders NCAA division while the 17U team finished in the top 4 in the WNBA division.

The 15U beat the Texas Blazers in their first game of the tournament, followed by another win against Coast-To-Coast and then finished the day with Aldine Lady Fireballs to go 3-0. In Sunday’s bracket play, both games were tough and physical. AE started the morning out beating Hybrid Hoops HSE in a close overtime thriller to win by 3 points and sending them into the Championship game against the host team, Houston Insiders. The game was a very close game, Austin Elite preserved to win by 11 points to claim the championship. This tournament showed how the 15U team used teamwork to claim a victory. Sabrina Berry, Soph from SA Reagan, had an outstanding tournament for the 15u team. Newcomer, Fr Ketara Chapel from Temple, and Rachel Purl, Fr Vista Ridge, put everyone on notice that they have arrived.


In their first game of the day the 17U beat the CUTtheNet, followed by Houston Insiders 17U Select and ending with a blow out of Houstonians on Saturday to win their pool and finish 3-0. In Sunday’s bracket play, the AE played a powerful and aggressive game against the tall Texas Blazers 17u team that has 3 D-1 players who have already committed to Rice, Houston and Pittsburgh. This was a fast-paced game that came down to the end. It was a battle, but in the end the AE17U lost a close one by 4. Danielle Lofton, Jr from Akins, proved to be all-star caliber as she put on an all-star show. Keep an eye on Raveen Burton, Jr from Pflugerville, who displayed great speed and wizardry at point.

Texas D-1 Ambassadors – Austin Elite 15U Roster
Name              Grade   Pos.        School
Loryn Goodwin       9      G    Temple HS
Kendra King         9      G    Austin Bowie HS
Ketara Chapel       9      W    Temple HS
Rachel Purl         9      P    Vista Ridge HS
Sabrina Berry      10      W    San Antonio Reagan HS
Rykeya Johnson      9      G    Temple HS
Zeniah Morgan      10      W    Stoney Point HS
Briana Crib         9      W    Aransas Pass HS
Taija Hall          8      P    Travis MS
Tyesha Taylor       8      P    Travis MS

Texas Ambassadors – Austin Elite 17U Roster
Name              Grade   Pos.       School
Allyson Terry      11      F    Austin McCallum HS
Danielle Lofton    11      F    Austin Akins HS
Dy’Mesheon Hyder   11      P    Pflugerville HS
Kaylin Monroe      11      G    Manor HS
Kayrin Monroe      11      G    Manor HS
Raveen Burton      11      G    Pflugerville HS
Kaela Thompson     11      W    Pflugerville HS
Katie Abalos       11      F    Round Rock HS
Angela Beadle      11      F    Austin Crockett HS
Shari Stewart      11      P    Pflugerville HS

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