Houston Sports: Local Athletes Shine In Lone Star Shootout

The LoneStar Shootout was nothing short of remarkable for the fans who came out for a nationally-televised ESPN doubleheader.

Both games featured players from the Houston area and a host of others throughout the state of Texas.

The games ended in exciting and dramatic fashion as both Texas teams lost but not before putting their opposition to the sternest of tests.

In the late game, Kerwin Roach Jr. from North Shore and former Yates standout Jacob Young played key roles in a University of Texas loss that came down to the game’s final shot against Arkansas. I

n the early game, the 19th-ranked Arizona Wildcats held off upset-minded Texas A&M 67-63.

Texas (5-5) appeared headed for an upset of Arkansas before Roach shot a desperate, off-balance three that came up short at the final buzzer.

After averaging 7.5 points and shooting 45 percent last season, Roach who came into Saturday’s game averaging 11.3 points a game dropping in 12 against the Razorbacks.

Last season, the Longhorns young offensive facilitator was described by renowned broadcaster Brent Musburger as maybe the best overall athlete in the Big 12.

This season, the talented sophomore has stepped into a starting role for the Shaka Smart-led Longhorns.

Roach was rated the 26th best layer in the sophomore class by DraftExpress.com had an off day Saturday at the Toyota Center finishing with 5-for-12 shooting from the field, including the missed three at the end along with an assist, a steal and three boards.

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The 6’4,” 175-pound guard wasn’t the only Houston native on the floor that played an instrumental role for Texas.

Former Yates standout Jacob Young found himself on the floor in key spots all night long including the final two minutes with the game on the line.

Trailing 73-70 with 1:27 left, Young drove the lane and appeared to have beaten his defender only to have the referee signal an offensive foul right in front of a Texas bench that erupted in unbelievable pandemonium.

It was a missed opportunity among a series of moments down the stretch that spelled defeat for Texas. The true freshman put in 23 minutes of effort finishing the night 0-for-2 from the floor with a rebound and an assist.

In the Lone Star Shootout opener, the Arizona Wildcats hung on for a 67-63 win over Texas A&M.

The Aggies trailed by 22 with 10:14 to play but as has been the case this season, their defense came to the rescue and the offense came to life.

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Six and a half minutes later, Arizona still appeared comfortably in command leading by 16 with 3:42 left on the clock.

Billy Kennedy’s Aggies though whittled the lead to two at 65-63 with 21 ticks to play.

Time eventually ran out on Texas A&M as they outscored the Wildcats 27-7 as Arizona escaped with a four-point win.

Friendswood High graduate Chris Collins, an Aggies’ guard, saw limited time in the game logging just 43 seconds late in the first half as Arizona was building a 13-point lead.

The sophomore who came into the game averaging nearly eight minutes a game did not see the floor again.

Nonetheless, it was an exciting exhibition to see Houston’s own do work on the hardwood.

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