Austin Seize 3rd Place in Orlando at USADB National Tournament

The Austin Deaf Toros took another crack at the annual USADB National Tournament.  After finishing fourth in the last two tournaments the Toros captured their highest finish in club history, third place.  This task was not an easy one as they were tested in every game.  In the first game against a young pesty Denver team the Toros stuggled to ignite a run to put them away.  In fact, Denver led in the early going by as many as eight points.  Battling sloppy play on both ends of the floor the veteran team was able to find whatever means necessary to pull away to their first victory.  The game didn’t end without a little bit of melodrama. Denver overcame a 14 point deficit three times during the final six minutes.  Finally they pulled within two with 35 seconds left.

Using a full court pressure defense Denver caused key turnovers in the Toros backcourt.  During one possession and leading by 4 the Toros faltered on the inbound pass and was picked off and laid in by Rob Sims.  Both teams struggled from the field but when it counted most the Toros converted crucial free throws down the stretch. Veteran Darnell Woods having one of his worse shooting performances connected on 4-6 free throws in the last minute despite going 0-7 from the three point line during the game. The Toroswere led by Anton Jackson and Chris Hamilton with 16 points apiece.  Jackson only 1-6 at the charity stripe. Termiea Bowers turned in 14 points but only 4-9 from the free throw line for the game.

The Toros were happy to get out of the first round.  It was the most competitive first round game they’ve faced in three years of existence.  Next up for Austin was Bridgeport of Connecticut.  Bridgeport cruised to a 14 point win over Arizona Desert-Storm in their first round win.  In the early going th Toros jumped out to an early 9-2 lead only to see it deminish and lose the lead.  Led by Ben Demario and Clement Lovelace, BPT team managed to take a seven point lead at the half, 38-31.

Once again, Jackson led the charge. He scored on fast breaks, slashes, mid range, and three point baskets.  The Toros stormed back in the second half after making a defensive adjustment.  They utilized a 2-3 match up zone that would crowd the middle limiting Demario from getting comfortable at the free throw area.  The Toros finally regained the lead with 12 minutes left in the game and never turned back. Using timely substitutions and fresh bodies the Toros were able to cruise to a much deserved win and moving on to the semi finals for the third consecutive year.

Jackson led all scorers with 26 points and 12 rebounds, Bowers had 16, RJKaufman had 14 and Woods finished with 12.

In the much anticipated third round game against the defending champions, East Zone, the Toros were up to task.  In the opening minutes the Toros jumped out to a quick start 7-2. Before long the DC team started to impose their strength in the paint with Mike Kent who scored at will around the basket.  Austin’s big men were in early foul trouble trying to tussle with Kent.  The Toros used a variety of defenses hoping to hold off and slow down East Zone but to no avail were they able to stop the on slaught of balance scoring.

East Zone begin to work on the perimeters with Luther Weedon, Sekoe White, and David Farias in transition.  The Toros were slow to respond but one match up East Zone had no answer for was Jackson.  Playing as if possessed with a basketball demon, Jackson single handily kept the Toros in the game.  East Zone held a 46-33 margin at the half keeping a lid on all of the Toros scorers, namely Woods.

In the second half theToros kept the score as close as they could in order to make a run down the stretch. Jackson weaved, circled, and pranced through East Zone defense. He tallied easy baskets, put backs, long threes, and hustle points. With remarkable guile and determination he pulled the Toros within five points three times with under four minutes.  Down 10 with 3:50 to go Woods knocked down a three following a three by Farias.  On the next possession Weedon attempted a three with from the right corner. During the attempt he ended up on the floor.  Kaufman was the only Toros in vicinity and a whistle was blown giving Weedon three free shots at the charity stripe. It was Kaufman’s fifth foul and the Toros had no answer from this point on.

It was a valiant effort by the Toros. Jackson scored 38 points and 15 rebounds and 5 steals.  He was supported by Woods with 13 points but only 4-15 shooting. Kaufman chipped in 8 points and Bowers six on 2-10 from the field. 

In the third place game the Toros faced Arizona Desert Fire.  Looking to revenge two consecutive losses at the nationals to AZDF the Toros kept things close and played with a vengence.  Struggling to establish a quicker tempo the Toros remained patient keeping the game close.  As always AZDF seemed to be waiting on the Toros to break down mentally as they have done in the past. Only this time to find a team with more heart and conviction not to be turned away.

Only trailing by one point at the half the Toros and AZDF traded baskets and lead changes numerous times.  Finally at the five minute mark the Toros seized the lead for good with layups by Chris Hamilton, Bowers and three pointers by Jackson and Woods respectively.  This run ignited a lead for 10 unanswered points. To keep the lead the Toros got major contribution from Kaufman who rallied the crew down the stretch with timely short jumpers and rebounds.  He finished with just seven points but each one was critical in the closing moments.

Jackson received much more help in this game offensively. He led all scorers with 23 points and 11 rebounds. Woods ended a weekend long shooting slump scoring 20 points and Bowers turning up with 13.

The Deaf Toros proved to be battle tested and the future of this squad is bright.  With the continued veteran savvy and youth they hope to return to the nationals taking bigger strides.  Needing a couple of more pieces to the puzzle they’re likely to make a jump to the championship game sooner rather than later.

Shall We Dance?

 It’s time to party and let the good times roll. USADB national championship has finally arrived. This year’s tournament is as wide open as ever.  Appropriately so, it’s time to do our homework on the bracket.  According to calculations it will be a memorable one when it’s all said and done.

 Defending champions East Zone returns with a stronger group this year as the number one seed.  Losing Robert Haney, Matt Johnson and Cy Saunders from last year’s team. They simply added firepower with Luther Weedon, Martise Colston, Sekoe White, and John Perry as head coach.  Mike Kent is still dancing with the stars after shocking the dance with a coming out party of the legends last year. If Kent can duplicate his championship game performance of 25 points including 9-10 from the free throw line, look for East Zone to finish strongly once again.

Number two seeded GIDC have their most formidable group and expect to finally get over the hump since adding the return of Haney.  Haney last played for GIDC in 2002 when he was a raw, yet green 19 year old who was learning the trade of the game.  No longer the youngster, he’s poised to help the veteran duo Brian Bippus and Keith Westhoelter capture another championship in the twilight of their careers.  With Eldin Dorn patrolling the paint and the new additions this could be the year of the men in black and white.

Third seeded AZDF has much to prove since finishing as runner-up to East Zone last year.   Not feeling the selection committee’s decision to seed them at number three this could be adding wood to the fire.  AZDF will be sporting two legends, Doc Torres and David Hamilton.   Both have combined for over 2,300 points in USADB history.  Besides that AZDF has added more athleticism to their roster with Akoma Hopwood.  Hamilton, if deemed healthy will manage the team as he always has with his savvy demeanor and floor leadership.  The big test for AZDF will be getting by GIDC in the semi-finals.  Accomplish this and a return to the finals is eminent.

Returning for the third consecutive year the Austin Deaf Toros hope to dig deeper into the tournament. The last two years the Toros have finished fourth, losing to GIDC and AZDF in the semis respectively.  Austin is led by the young Anton Jackson who leads this bunch in scoring and rebounding.  Jackson is accompanied by veterans Chris Hamilton, Termiea Bowers and RJ Kaufman.  The road to claim the crown will need the Toros to complete potential wins against Bridgeport and East Zone.  A bull rush will be needed to in order to make it happen.

Bridgeport the perennial fifth place finisher over the last several years are aiming to get past the second round and continue their flight east on the bracket this year.  Led by their big men in the middle, Chad Biskupiak and Ben Demario, this one two punch is probably the most dangerous combination duo in the paint. They’ve beefed up the front court by adding veteran Nick Lalanne who gives them depth with his versatility. Bridgeport will need their guards to step up to make it deep into the tournament this time around.  Would you call them a sleeper?

After completing somewhat of an upset in the SEAAD regional Carolina is set to make some noise.  After losing Tim Teeters and Randall Bostain to Florida State many thought Carolina was done for. They countered the loss with the addition of Willie Brown. Brown is obviously more nimble as compared to Teeters and it proved to be the case when Carolina walked away with yet another SEAAD crown.  They are led by the spunky guard tandem of Mark Hedrick and Fred Thompson.  In the past this team only fair as well as the two guards could take them.  These Carolinians promise to give a gutsy performance. To reach the finals they’ll have to go through the likes of GIDC or AZDF.  Can they do it?

Slotted in the 7^th and 8^th seeds are St. Louis and Utah respectively. Both these units aren’t star studded by far but will compete whenever they’re on the floor. Utah is known to extend games with their grit and grunt work.  They’re up against a scrappy WSAD –Orange team who will test their mettle in that seed 8 and 9 match-up.   St. Louis will attempt to ride their upset of Denver in MAAD, tough task.

Expect little to no surprises amongst the lower seeded teams. There hasn’t been a lower seed team to win national tournament since Chicago pulled it off in 2002 where they were a 9^th seed and went through the tournament unscathed. Is there a team lurking at the dark end of the party room?  We’ll have to wait and see.

See yall at the dance.  Bring your ‘A’ game and dance shoes. There’s going to be a ‘Soul Train’ line down the bracket going east.  The winner will jig, shimmy, pop-lock, moonwalk, and hip-hop when it’s all over and done with.  Let’s get jiggy with it.