Breaking Barriers
A coaching barrier was broken at the Spring Ice Breaker
Edward McFarland
Mar 21, 2018, 3:30 pm
Ralph Barreras, Sam Houston coach Vype
A unique relationship was put on display at the Spring Ice Breaker tournament.
It was the relationship between Ralph Barreras and Emmanuel White.
Barreras is the basketball coach at Sam Houston High School and White is the basketball coach for Rashard Lewis’ RL9 Elite AAU team.
What brought the two coaches in contact with one another was sophomore twin brothers Garrick Baines and Jerrick Baines.
Barreras coaches the twins at Sam Houston and now they’re under the coaching and mentorship of White during this AAU season.
“The twins were a blessing to us,” White said. “They researched and found us and said they wanted to play with us.”
The twins research had a lot to do with the help of their high school coach, which is how Barreras and White came in contact with each other.
White whose been coaching the RL9 Elite for nine years said he “never” had a high school coach reach out to him before Barreras.
High school coaches aren’t known for having a hand on what AAU team their kids play for, but bridging the gap between high school and AAU coaches is what Barreras felt needed to be done to help his players develop during the summer.
Barreras showed up to the RL9 Elite game to watch Garrick and Jerrick play, and after the game you saw Barreras dapping up White and talking about the twins play.
“I just want what’s best for my kids,” Barreras said about reaching out to the RL9 Elite. “That’s what it’s all about for me.
“If high school and AAU coaches can come together for the players benefit, that’s what it’s all about,” White said. “I want no money from the guys I just want to see them be good young men off the court and help us.”
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Wichita, Kansas – Saturday, 8:40 p.m. EDT
The No. 1 seed Houston Cougars (31-4) take on the No. 8 Gonzaga Bulldogs (26-8) in a highly anticipated second-round showdown of the NCAA Tournament. The Cougars, dominant in the Big 12 with a 22-1 record, bring the nation’s top-ranked defense to the court, while the Bulldogs, the West Coast Conference powerhouse, counter with one of the most efficient offenses in the country.
Defense vs. offense: The ultimate battle
Houston boasts the best defense in the Big 12, holding opponents to just 57.9 points per game on 38.1% shooting. The Cougars will be tasked with slowing down a Gonzaga squad that averages 84.6 points per game over its last 10 outings and shoots an impressive 50.1% from the field.
On the other side, Houston’s offense is averaging 72.1 points per game in its last 10 contests, a figure that will be tested against a Gonzaga defense allowing 67.6 points per game. The Cougars have a slight edge from beyond the arc, making 8.1 three-pointers per game compared to Gonzaga’s 7.3 allowed.
Key players to watch
For Houston, LJ Cryer has been the go-to scorer, averaging 15.2 points per game, while Milos Uzan has stepped up recently, contributing 14.7 points over the last 10 games. The Cougars will also lean on their defensive intensity and ability to force turnovers to disrupt Gonzaga’s rhythm.
Gonzaga is led by Graham Ike, who is averaging 17 points and 7.4 rebounds per game. Khalif Battle has also been a key contributor, posting 15.3 points and 1.6 steals per game in the past 10 contests. The Bulldogs’ ball movement will be crucial, as they average 20.4 assists per game in their last 10 contests, a stark contrast to Houston’s 9.0.
Game outlook
Houston enters as a 5.5-point favorite, according to BetMGM Sportsbook, with the over/under set at 140.5 points. If the Cougars can impose their defensive will and limit Gonzaga’s transition game, they stand a strong chance of advancing. However, if the Bulldogs find their offensive groove early, Houston may be in for its toughest test of the tournament so far.
Expect an intense, physical battle where the team that dictates the tempo will likely punch its ticket to the Sweet 16.