Deaf Toros 4-Peat!

Toros Turn Back Mississippi to Capture 4th Straight SWBAD Championship, 78-70

The boys for Mississippi reached the finals once again facing every possible challenge this weekend. First they fought a testy East Memphis team who refused to go away but prevailed using a 44 point performance by Thurston Williamson, the all time leading scorer in SWAAD/SWBAD history. Then they squeaked past a talented DFW-Texasboyz, 77-74, in a game that went down to the wire. Next up were the Deaf Toros of Austin.

 

Mississippi sought out the services of Williamson and Tilman Sims, long time Arkansas players, coupled with Alex Tyler and Rodrick Brown. Clay Courtland didn’t make the tournament for personal reasons. This team was built with one goal in mind, beat Austin.  For thirty minutes Mississippi gave the fans their money worth in the championship game.

 

The game featured some inconsistency in officiating. Three deaf referees called that game and it was rocky from the start. Anton Jackson was whistled for two quick fouls within the first two minutes of the opening tipoff. He picked up a third foul with 12 minutes left in the first half. The Toros would lose two other starters to foul trouble, Shannon Simon and Yo Moore. Simon had a tough task guarding the much slender built Tyler and Moore had his work cut out for him keeping Williamson in check. Brown struggled to get to the basket as he had done all weekend long and relied heavily on ill advised jump shots.

 

Mississippi jumped out to an early lead forcing the Toros to playing at a slower pace than expected. Using a match up 3-2 zone, a box and one and occasional 2-3 defense, kept the Toros guessing what defenses were being set. Jackson did manage to give the Toros a burst in scoring before being resolved to the bench with foul woes.  He opened the game scoring the Toros first 12 points. Tyler refused to be denied and kept attacking the Toros defense in transition using an array of midrange shooting. Williamson picked his spots nailing long range bombs to keep the Toros on their heels. 

 

Seeking for a spark the Toros inserted Ty Hubbard who calmly knocked down two big three pointers before the half to cut into an 11 points lead. Hubbard was the apparent sleeper for the Toros. He rose to the occasion when it seemed nothing could go right. With Darnell Woods slumping and only managing eight points in the first half Hubbard gave the Toros a much needed shot in the arm. Mississippi took a 39-34 lead into the half.

 

In the second half the Toros came out smoking. Getting three consecutive fast break baskets from Jackson and Termiea Bowers the score was tied 42-42.  After a timeout Mississippi again burst to a seven point lead. While down 49-42 and amid disarray, the champs sought refuge from their bench once again. This time Luendran Hubbard (no relations to Ty) provided the spark. The young point guard brought his speed and ability to make plays in the open floor as well as quick hands on the defensive end. L. Hubbard put new life into the Toros and suddenly the momentum surge had changed. Down two when he entered the game 53-51 Hubbard raced up and down the floor along with Jackson making two steals and a layup as well as three of four free throws. Coupled with his efforts and Jackson’s two layups and a three pointer by Woods, the Toros now led by 10 points at the five minute mark to complete an improbable 17 point turnaround.

 

Mississippi continued to scrap and gnaw at the hem of the Toros. Down the stretch Yo Moore and Ty Hubbard made big baskets to seal the victory. Jackson said “there was no sense of panic on our team. We knew we would overcome the adversity of the refs and fans against us.”  With 1:29 following two free throws Woods and Jackson promptly ran out the clock once realized Mississippi had folded their tent down eight.

 

Jackson, despite the foul trouble led all scorers with 28 on 13-27 shooting. Woods finished with 16 on 6-16 and a horrendous 4-13 from three point range. Ty Hubbard was 5-12 but 3-6 from the three point line finishing with 15 points. Yo Moore had a double-double of 12 points and 12 rebounds and repeatedly outworked the gangly Mississippi bunch.

 

Tyler was voted MVP of the tournament. He had his work cut out for him filling in as the team’s coach as well as playing major minutes for his squad. Jackson and Brown were first team all tournament while Woods finished second team all tournament also leading the tournament in assist and three pointers made.

 

*** Before the game, SWBAD posthumously recognized former Austin great, John Dabney. His entire family was present at the game for his Hall of Fame Induction. During the players introduction the family stood at mid court while both teams high fived every member of the family. It was an emotional moment for many who had been friends with Dabney through the years.  After the game celebrations continued with the Toros taking pictures with the family and friends. Former teammates of Dabney gathered to show their respect for a friend dearly miss.

Deaf Toros Bull Rushes Tulsa Hawks 88-51

The Austin Deaf Toros took on an eagerly waiting Tulsa Hawks of Oklahoma who were looking to pry open the strangle hold the Deaf Toros have had on SWBAD. The Toros have won three straight since 2006 and as far back as 2004 an Austin team has won SWBAD.  The Toros refuse to let go of its reins.

 

Once again the Toros jumped out to a quick start. Anton Jackson went straight to work early on hitting a layup in the lane to start off the scoring. Tulsa was without their biggest star in Tracy Willis who is now fighting professionally with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Willis poses a massive threat around the basket which was definitely missing from this Tulsa team. Jackson kick started the Toros in the early going.  He had a hand in the Toros first 12 points. During the early stretch he was 3-3 from the three point line tallying 10 points including a four points play.

 

During the next spurt Darnell Woods got into the act. Initially Woods took a back seat as Jackson ran amok of the Hawks. Woods then streaked his way to an eight point burst of his own including a 25ft bank shot to start the run. The Toros built a quick 15 point lead with the Hawks needing a spark to keep them in the ball game but the Toros would continue to deny them.

 

The Hawks made a quick run of their own after the Toros built a 25 point lead with 10 minutes left in the first half. Edwin Alexander led the charge with consecutive three pointers in transition. The Hawks kept chomping at the bit but were no match for the Toros speed and depth. Termiea Bowers and Luendran Hubbard teamed up in the backcourt and pretty much hosted their own track meet. Both guards used their quickness to get easy baskets on fast breaks infusing a spark in the Toros. Between the two point guards they combined 15-19 from the field for the game. The Toros took a 45-26 lead into the half.

 

In the second half the Toros kept the pressure on. Woods became a distributor and repeatedly found Yo Moore and Jackson for a variety of baskets. Moore took advantage of his opportunities finishing 4-8 from the field including a couple of misses at the tin cup. Moore said “I was surprised by the many opportunities I got down there. Most of the time I’m down there to clean up and collect garbage points. The guys were finding me and I made the most of my opportunities.” Moore is the hometown boy playing in familiar surroundings.

 

The Toros placed four players in double figures. Jackson was 12-15 from the field including a perfect 5-5 from the three point line finishing with 29.  Hubbard was 9-10 from the field and 18 points. Bowers 6-9 laying in 13 and 5 assist and Woods finished with 11 points and 9 assist.  For the game the Toros shot 59 percent from the field on 38-64 shooting which included 25 assist.

 

The Toros will have a rematch of last year’s final against Mississippi who presented the Toros with a bit of a challenge last year in Shreveport, La.

Austin Deaf Toros Dismantle Texaz Blasterz, 78-26

In their opening round game the Deaf Toros left no doubt who the number one seed of the 62^nd Annual SWBAD regional tournament. The game started off with the Toros scoring the first 11 points of the contest before the Blasterz called a time out to regroup after the first three minutes of play. Darnell Woods scored 8 of the first 11 points.  Woods capped the early spurt with a three-pointer and prior to that he scored on a three point play and another layup in transition.

 

The Toros used its superior speed to topple the Blasterz of Dallas. Anton Jackson and Termiea Bowers repeatedly found themselves leading fast breaks and finding an open Woods for easy treys from outside. Woods finished the night shooting 5-8 from the arc while leading all scorers with 23 points. Two other Toros scored in double figures, Jackson and Yo Moore posting 10 points apiece.

 

The entire bench was cleared for the first time this season with every player for the Toros scoring at last one basket.  Coach Larry Smith continued to push his squad to maintain and control the tempo. The Toros second unit was led by first year guard, Luendran Hubbard. Also, Ty Hubbard returned to give a spark off the bench. Both the Hubbards showed their mettle and overall speed and quickness in the open floor giving the Toros much needed depth.

 

Tomorrow at 9:15 am the Toros will face a hungry Tulsa team who will try to put up a major fight to reach the finals in the afternoon. The Toros should hold their own and be well rested and ready for the championship match.

Deaf Toros Seek a Four-peat at SWBAD

Once again it’s that time of year. United States Deaf Basketball make their splash with their own version of March Madness.  Regional tournaments are underway or in some cases completed.  Southwest Basketball Association of the Deaf will tipoff its 62nd annual men’s and 16th women’s tournament in Dallas, TX. 

The Deaf Toros are returning as three time defending champions and are favored once again to win for their fourth time in a row.  The Toros have managed to keep their core intact since their first championship. Led by Deaflympian, 6′3 guard/forward Anton Jackson.  Jackson is also a three time MVP of SWBAD. He’s proven year in and year out that he is in a league of his own.  Jackson is expected to lead the Toros in all facets of the game, scoring, rebounding and assist.

Teamed with Jackson you will find veteran point guard Termiea Bowers. Bowers has been a main cog for the Toros since his first year. He’s been a revving engine and has developed a strong game. Each season he has improved and it’s has given the Toros more confidence to compete at the national level.

Wiley veteran Darnell Woods, continues to man the shooting guard position. Woods is the team’s vocal leader and gives the team a lethal second scorer. The veteran guard has gotten in superior shape this year and looks to make a major surge both regionally and nationally.

In the post cagey veterans will solidify the paint with brute strength and determination. Yo  Moore and Shannon Simon will team up to provide the Toros with much needed muscle around the basket. Both have been solid role players over the years for the Toros but will be asked to take on much bigger roles with the absence of RJ Kaufman.

The reserves will feature a couple of young players with plenty to prove. William ‘Ty” Hubbard returns to Austin after being away for the last few years. He will provide depth at both the guard and post positions.  He’s a multi-skilled players who isn’t afraid to mix it  up. Along with Hubbard there will be a second Hubbard, Luendran, no relation. Luendran will give the Toros much needed speed at the guard position. He’s a flat our burner on the floor.

Cary McKeller, a 6′7 big man, will provide support to Moore and Simon in the paint. You can’t teach size and McKeller has plenty of it.  He and veteran Geoff Moore will manage the minutes of the reserve post players.  With help from second year man John McMahon.

Two first year players, Jimmy Solesbee is expected to log in a number of minutes at various positions in the front court to utilize his 6′5 frame and soft shooting touch. Solesbee is a veteran player who spent most of his early playing days with Houston.  To round off the roster is Henry Prince who will provide his support off the bench whenever called on.

The Deaf Toros will be coached by Larry Smith in his fourth season as the head man of this team. Smith is eager to get to the regional and can’t wait for his team to take home their fourth title.