The Eighth Annual Centex Jammin All-Star Games were a huge success! Fifty-five athletes from all over the state gathered at Mary Hardin-Baylor University on Saturday, July 21, for the yearly event. Players were selected via nominations and invitations. Players met with their coaches and practiced Saturday afternoon. After the dinner break, the participants enjoyed an evening of good spirited competition.
Winners included: Three point contest- 1st-Michael Ashdown-Hallsville, 2nd-Dale Callison-Liberty Hill, 3rd-Steven Whitfield-Bastrop. Free throw contest: 1st Tommy Garcia-Charlotte, 2nd-Keith Darby-Merkel, 3rd-Justin Schwartz-Belton. Two ball contest 1st-Michael Ashdown-Hallsville, Matthew Wright-Lipan, 2nd- Dale Callison-Liberty Hill, Lucas King-Hutto, 3rd-Randall Zwernemann-Round Top-Carmine, Shawn Butry-Florence. Knock-out contest-1st-Jeremy Deckard-Wortham, 2nd-Chad Koonce-Hardin, 3rd-Brad Andersen-Academy. Dunk contest- 1st-Adam Reinking-Austin High, 2nd- Brad Andersen-Academy, 3rd-Scott Mathieson-Academy, 4th-Warren Madison-Stony Point.
At the conclusion of the competitions, the players returned to the dorm for pizza and rest.
The next morning, after breakfast, the teams met with their coaches for a shoot around and final instructions.
At 11:00 A.M., Team One(white, home) met Team Two(green, visitors) to kick off the first of three games. Team One, coached by Tom Long (Salado) and Mike Balderama (Floresville), struggled early in the game by scoring only 14 points while Team Two, led by Coach Kenny Driska (Rosebud-Lott) and Coach Jason Fry(former All Star), were able to put up an impressive 23 first quarter points. The second quarter belonged to the home team as they hit for 37 while the visitors hit for 19. At half-time, the white team led 51-42. The third quarter was nearly a draw as Team One tallied 23 while Team Two scored 21. The Green team rallied in the fourth and closed the gap; however, their rally was short-lived. When the final horn sounded, Team One outscored Team Two, 101-95. Scoring for Team One included: Edward Davis, Temple-4, Rahsaan Bell, Wichita Falls-18, Brandon Gatlin, McNeil-11, Michael Parker, Snook-18, Brandon Shaver, New Diana-21, Jacob Turner, Elgin-8, Daniel Torres, Randolph-2, Chad Koonce, Hardin-11, and Jerrod Baker, Dulles-8. Also playing well was Adam Cabello of Bartlett. Scoring for Team Two included: Keith Darby, Merkel-2, Dustin Burow, Comfort-1, Justin Schwartz, Belton-10, Brandon Alvis, Lockney-13, Adam Reinking, Austin High-22, Jeff Porter, Bowie-15, Trey Peters, Kountze-13, and Daniel Dodson, Lake Travis-19. Also playing well was Anthony Montagnino of Thorndale.


Two hours later, Teams 3 and 4 hit the floor for another exciting contest.
Team 3 (white, home) was coached by Alvie King, Milano and J. D. Sullivan, Olney while Team 4 (green, visitor) was led by Danny Randall-Bastrop. Team 4 was able to capture a narrow 29-24 lead after one period; however, Team 3 fought back in the second by chalking up 33 points and holding the green group to 19. The white squad took a 57-48 half-time advantage. After the dunk finals, both teams took the floor for the second half of play. Team 3 exploded for 43 and 40 points, while Team four connected on 18 and 28.
When time ran out, Team 3 took the contest 140-98. Scoring for Team 3 included: Brent Josselet, Dimmitt-10, Randall Zwernemann, Round Top-Carmine-5, Matt Meredith, Olney-16, Matthew Wright, Dimmit-21, Shawn Butry, Florence-2, Jeremy Fry, Austin High-16, Obinna Ukegbu,Dulles-28, Tommy Garcia, Charlotte-23, David Haveman, Brenham-21. Scoring for Team 4 included: Josh Mills, Nimitz-13, Jermaine Smith, Hitchcock-23, Jeremy Deckard, Wortham-12, Tony Avalos, Reagan County-3, Josh Bryant, Peaster-8, Michael Ashdown, Hallsville-6, Jose Guzman, Nimitz-6, Matthew Wright, Lipan-16, and Eddy Wolfe, Alvarado-7. Also playing well was David Nolen of Hutto.
Team Five was next on the slate to face Team Six for the final game of the day. Team Five (white, home), led by Mike Barborak (St. Anthony) and Alvie King(Milano) trailed Team Six (green, visitor) led by Jason and Justin Simank former UMHB and former Austin Cyclones, 17-18 after one period. The green team maintained its slim halftime lead 39-38 as both teams collected 22 second period points. Team Six bumped its advantage in the third by hitting for 22 points to Team Fives 14, however, Team Five refused to give in and briefly took the lead in the final period. The visiting Green accepted the challenge and hit several big shots down the stretch to seal a 94-90 victory. Scoring for Team Five included: Warren Madison, Stony Point-11, Jim Phillips, Spring-7, Brad Andersen, Academy-2, Anthony Montagnino, Thorndale-7, Matt Zinser,Burnet-17, Chad Barborak, St. Anthony-3, Steven Whitfield, Bastrop-10, Scott Mathieson, Academy-6, John Chenault, Wichita Falls-6, and Bill Elsey, Wimberely-21. Team Six scoring included: Justin Schwartz-Belton-7, Nichloas Smith, Whitewright-12, Dustin Burow, Comfort-6, Brandon Kelley, Cameron-8, Dale Callison, Liberty Hill-8, Lucas King, Hutto-4, Josh Cradoct, Roosevelt-10, Jeremy Fry, Austin High-21, Andrew Ashworth, Marion-5, and Brandon Gatlin, McNeil-13.
Plans are to award at least four scholarships to deserving players, to add to the twenty-six grants that have been given since 1996.
Special thanks goes to our many sponsors, the officials, UMHB, Coach Ken DeWeese, and the volunteers who unselfishly gave their time and expertise to make the Eighth Annual games the best yet. The Ninth Annual games are already in the works!