Parents happy with larger facility for Big Shots basketball tournament

Parents in town to watch their children participate in the annual Big Shots Myrtle Beach AAU basketball tournament at the Myrtle Beach Sports Center said they appreciated the new facility.

Cynthia Shingles came to town from Tallahassee, Fla., to watch her grandson 12-year-old Deandrae McCray play in the tournament.

It was their first time in Myrtle Beach and, she said, the first time her grandson played in such a large facility. Many of the tournaments Deandrae has played in in the past were played across several locations.

“There was one time when the game times were very close, so trying to travel through traffic to get to the second game was tough,” Shingles said Sunday. “We almost didn’t make it. It was stressful because we thought we were going to be late.”

Having the bulk of the games in one facility was something Shingles was very convenient.

In prior years, participants at Big Shots would play in high schools and recreation centers across the city. This year, while there still were some games played at a nearby recreation center, most of the games could be held under one roof.

“I can’t say how important the new facility has been,” Big Shots Vice President Kevin Schneider said. “We’re very appreciative. The teams and the college coaches have enjoyed the experience of the Myrtle Beach Sports Center. ... You walk in and you’ve got eight courts going. It’s a huge place.”

More than 400 teams participated in this year’s Big Shots tournaments, held Thursday through Sunday. The tournament featured boys 17-and-under all the way down to 11-and-under competition, and girls 17-and-under down to 13-and-under.

Carol and Danny Whitfield of Monroe, N.C., also were at the sports center for the first time this year to watch their 14-year-old daughter play.

“It’s been a good tournament for her,” Danny Whitfield said. “It’s been a little overwhelming on her in this big facility with so many of the bigger boys playing at the same time.”

Carol Whitfield said in the five years her daughter’s participated in similar tournaments, the largest facility they’ve seen has had four games going at one time. The Myrtle Beach Sports Center accommodates eight games at a time.

“It’s really loud, though,” she said. “You begin to hear [referee] whistles in your sleep.”

David Wetzel contributed to this report.

This story was originally published July 12, 2015 at 9:01 PM with the headline "Parents happy with larger facility for Big Shots basketball tournament."