McDonald’s Texas Invitational – Summer Creek vs Katy Taylor
The McDonald’s Texas Invitational Basketball Tournament kicked off on Thursday, November 18. It was an impressive show with 48 different men’s games played on Day 1 throughout eight different gyms in the southeast Houston area. The first game of the…
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Continue ReadingThe McDonald’s Texas Invitational Basketball Tournament kicked off on Thursday, November 18. It was an impressive show with 48 different men’s games played on Day 1 throughout eight different gyms in the southeast Houston area. The first game of the day at Phillips Field House featured the Humble Summer Creek Bulldogs versus the Katy Taylor Mustangs.
This was a hard fought battle by both teams in the very first game of the 2021 McDonald’s Texas Invitational. Katy Taylor came with a lot of energy but Summer Creek was simply the better team on both ends of the court, coming away with 16 steals to Summer Creek’s 3 and providing too much firepower throughout their lineup. The Bulldogs took an early lead over the Mustangs and never slowed down, winning every individual quarter by at least 4 points and coming away with a 57-37 win over Katy Taylor.
#4 – Julian Roman – 6’3″ – PG/SG – Senior – Summer Creek
Roman was one of the top scorers for Summer Creek in this one. He hit two 3’s early in the 1st to help the Bulldogs jump out to an early lead and then hit another 3 in the 2nd. His 3-point threat opened up driving lanes for the rest of the game and he had some nice finishes in the paint to round out his scoring output. He was also a vital piece in Summer Creek’s relentless defense, always staying active on that end of the court, forcing several turnovers as both an on-ball and off-ball pest, and constantly fighting for loose balls throughout the game.
#20 – Dan Morgan – 6’7″ – C/PF – Senior – Summer Creek
This was a guard-dominated game for both teams, but Morgan made sure to make his presence felt on both ends of the court. He had somewhat of a slow start to the game with the guards controlling the offense, but he turned it on in the 2nd half, coming away with several fast break finishes and dunking the ball numerous times in the 3rd and 4th quarters to put the finishing touches on the game. His offense may have come later in the game, but his defense was consistent and effective throughout. He anchored Summer Creek’s impressive defensive stance and provided the necessary help time and time again any time someone tried to score in the paint. He also showed his versatility on the defensive end with some quick lateral movement, guarding the smaller and quicker players on Katy Taylor on the perimeter whenever called upon.
#20 – Princeton Layton – 6’1″ – PG – Sophomore – Katy Taylor
Layton was extremely active in this game. He didn’t put up huge numbers on the stat sheet, but his impact throughout goes beyond stats. He hustled on every play, providing constant off-ball movement on offense, never letting his defender stay stagnant. Summer Creek may have put up a strong defensive game, but Layton made them work every possession he was a part of and required the attention of everyone on the defensive end to make sure he was accounted for as he made constant cuts to the basket and roamed around the perimeter. He brought that same energy on the defensive end, as well, taking a charge in the 3rd and staying active in a low defensive stance every possession, quickly moving his feet to do his best staying in front of the man he was assigned to. Even in a loss, he put together an impressive effort and stood out in ways the box score could never account for.
#32 – Luke Robbie – 6’4″ – F – Junior – Katy Taylor
Robbie was the clear leader for Katy Taylor in this game, making impact plays time and time again throughout, doing everything he could to keep his team in it. Just like his teammate, Princeton Layton, he provided constant off-ball movement and was extremely active making cuts and hustling for offensive rebounds. He had several put backs off those effort plays to get the offensive boards and he led numerous offensive charges to try and get his team back in the game, either taking the ball to the basket himself or setting others up with his nice vision and passing. He did his best to stay active on the defensive end, as well, taking a charge and providing nice off-ball help whenever needed.