Tar Heels, blue-chip prospects visit as holiday tournament season tips off
Technically, students and teachers locally begin the holiday break this week.
For area basketball teams, the next few weeks are no vacation as the holiday hoops slate ramps into high gear.
“It’s a good time to find out a little about your team,” said Myrtle Beach girls basketball coach Jennifer Dennison. “You’re able to tinker a little bit with lineups and see what works and what doesn’t. Most importantly, it helps you get ready for the stretch that counts after Christmas.”
A trio of tournaments kick off a loaded schedule heading into Santa’s midnight ride. Here’s a look at the week ahead:
CresCom Bank Holiday Invitational (Dec. 19-23): The girls’ prelude to the Beach Ball Classic, hosts Myrtle Beach and Socastee welcome teams from seven states for the annual CresCom Bank Holiday Invitational.
In addition to the Braves and Seahawks, several teams familiar with the tournament return in Miami Senior (Fla.), St. Francis (Ga.), Franklin County (Ky.), Winder-Barrow (Ga.) and Ferguson (Fla.).
Also participating are Brentwood Academy (Tenn.), Christ the King (N.Y.), Fayette County (Ga.), Harris County (Ga.), Neumann Goretti (Pa.), Norcross (Ga.), Northwest Guilford (N.C.), Swansea and Wesleyan Christian (N.C.).
A 5-star prospect in the opinion of most recruiting services, Winder-Barrow standout and UConn commit Olivia Nelson-Ododa is the top attraction for this year’s event. However, her status is in question following a recent injury.
Also worth the watch are a pair of guards in Sydni Harvey from Brentwood Academy and Brandy Thomas of Christ the King. On a team basis, Ferguson may be among the tourney’s most experienced squad, returning all five starters from a squad that fell just short of a Florida Class 9A title.
The tournament will open at approximately 4:15 p.m. Tuesday, following the North Carolina women’s hoops team’s contest with Grambling. All games will take place at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center.
Panther Classic (Dec. 20-22): After a thrilling end to last year’s tournament championship, the Panther Classic at Carolina Forest hopes for similar magic this holiday season.
Ten squads from the Palmetto State will welcome others from Georgia, Florida, North Carolina and Virginia.
Defending champion Conway – also the No. 2 team in Class 5A – begins its quest for a repeat by taking on another undefeated, highly ranked team in Class 2A powerhouse Carvers Bay. The two will match wits in the tournament’s second game Wednesday at noon.
In addition to host Carolina Forest and the two aforementioned teams, the tournament will include: Andrews, Bluffton, Cathedral Academy, Christ Church, East Hall (Ga.), Freedom Christian (N.C.), High Point Christian (N.C.), Lakewood, Loudoun Valley (Va.), Low Country Leadership, Myrtle Beach, South Miami (Fla.), Voyager Academy (N.C.).
Action begins the first two days at 10:30 a.m. The final day of competition will start at 9 a.m.
Shootout by the Sea (Dec. 21-23): Boys and girls hoops take center stage in North Myrtle Beach as the Shootout by the Sea returns for another weekend of holiday hoops.
On the boys’ side, a pair of local teams in North Myrtle Beach and St. James will match wits with instate teams and those from elsewhere. Ridge View, Summerville, Wren and Boiling Springs will see the likes of Hoggard (N.C.) and John Champe (Va.) during the tournament.
As for girls’ competition, North Myrtle Beach and Loris will welcome A.C. Flora, J.L. Mann, Chantilly (Va.), Christ Church, Batesburg-Leesville and Wren.
Stocks up
↑ Career milestones: Conway’s Neci Hemingway collected her 1,000th career rebound in Tuesday’s loss to Myrtle Beach. Only miles away the same night, Ellen Nardella picked up her 1,000th career point in Carolina Forest’s 70-44 win over Northwoods Academy.
↑ Carvers Bay boys: Due to being in a seven-team league, those in Region 7-2A start the all-important stretch of games prior to the holiday break. So far, so good for Carvers Bay. Already, the Bears have thumped fellow region favorite Marion and Georgetown County rival Andrews.
↑ Conway boys: Mike Hopkins isn’t one for rankings and all chatter not involving what occurs on the basketball court. Early on, it seems his team has taken the same approach. Going into the holiday break, the Tigers were 7-0 going into a road matchup with North Myrtle Beach on Monday night.
↑ Myrtle Beach girls: It is far from a finished product, but coach Jennifer Dennison’s team is starting to round into shape. The Seahawks have won four in a row, with their margin of victory an impressive 19 points per game. No single player is spearheading the effort, however, as a different player leading the team in scoring during the stretch.
↑ North Myrtle Beach girls: Maybe the best early season surprise in the local hoops scene is what is taking place in Little River. Since a one-point loss to Carolina Forest in its season opener, North Myrtle Beach has reeled off seven consecutive wins. Freshman Daveona Hatchell continues to emerge as a key contributor, asserting herself as another weapon to go along with the Berger twins, Jenna and Jordan.
Ballers
Jordan Berger, North Myrtle Beach: Followed up a 21-point performance against Socastee by scoring in double figures Friday night against Loris.
D’Wuan Grainger, Conway: Followed up a double-double (14 points, 10 rebounds) against Myrtle Beach with 18 points against Marion to help the Tigers remain undefeated.
Michael Green, Christian Academy of Myrtle Beach: Followed up a 16-point performance Tuesday night by knocking down six 3-pointers en route to 23 points Friday in a Christian Academy win.
Jalinda Johnson, Green Sea Floyds: Scored 20 points for the Trojans in a win over South Columbus (N.C.).
Shaquille Johnson, Green Sea Floyds: Scored 41 points – going 20-for-28 from the field – in the Trojans’ 110-42 rout of Marlboro Academy.
Payton Lewis, St. James: Had 22 points on Tuesday to lead St. James past Georgetown, and followed it up with a 25-point performance to help the Sharks to an overtime victory over Waccamaw.
Jimmy Nichols, Conway: Earned a double-double (25 points, 10 rebounds) to propel the Tigers to a 66-57 win Tuesday over Myrtle Beach. He followed that performance with 19 points as the Tigers disposed of Marion on Friday.
Tyrek Reed, Carvers Bay: Followed up a 14-point performance against Marion by scoring in double figures Friday in a Bears win over Andrews.
Robert Swanson, Myrtle Beach: Had 23 points for the Seahawks as he went toe-to-toe with Conway’s Nichols, though in a 66-57 loss.
Travis Walters, Loris: Notched a pair of double-doubles in this week’s action with 20 points and 10 rebounds in a win over Lake View on Tuesday, and 20 points and 16 rebounds to help the Lions get past North Myrtle Beach.
Joe L. Hughes II: 843-444-1702, @JoeLHughesII
Boys hoops
Monday, Dec. 11
Carolina Forest 63, Northwood Academy 44: Mason Garcia scored 12 points and Derek Alston added 11 as the Panthers got back in the win column.
Tuesday, Dec. 12
Conway 66, Myrtle Beach 57: Jimmy Nichols (25 points, 10 rebounds) and D’Wuan Grainger (14 points, 10 rebounds) earned double-doubles, outlasting Myrtle Beach to sweep the season series. Robert Swanson had 23 points to lead the Seahawks, while Emorie Knox added 14.
St. James 57, Georgetown 54: Payton Lewis’ 22 points led all scorers to help St. James get past Georgetown. Alex Holmes added 13 points in a winning effort. Wanyae Grant had 16 points to lead the Bulldogs, with Khalil Dixon adding 11 in a loss.
Carvers Bay 67, Marion 49: In both teams’ Region 7-2A opener, Tyrek Reed’s 14 points led Carvers Bay to a win. DiJon Goss and Stephon Greene also scored in double figures, going for 13 and 12 points, respectively.
Loris 70, Lake View 42: Travis Walters earned his sixth straight double-double with 20 points and 10 rebounds. Levon Stevenson and Jahrique Isaiah also scored in double figures with 19 and 10 points, respectively.
Hemingway 72, Andrews 58: The Yellow Jackets were unable to keep pace with a talented Hemingway squad.
Oak Hill Academy (Va.) 72, Christian Academy 58: Mike Green scored 16 points and Davis Guyton followed with 12, but it wasn’t enough for the Saints in a losing effort.
Green Sea Floyds 110, Marlboro Academy 42: Shaquille Johnson scored 41 points, going 20 of 28 from the field and lead the Trojans to a rout of Marlboro Academy.
Wednesday, Dec. 13
North Myrtle Beach 59, Socastee 50: Cason McClendon led all scorers with 14 points, while Cooper Chandler followed with 11 to lead the Chiefs to a win. Jay Williams was the lone Socastee player in double figures with 11.
Thursday, Dec. 14
Green Sea Floyds 63, South Columbus (N.C.) 56: A fast start allowed Green Sea Floyds to avenge earlier losses to its rivals from across the state line.
Hemingway 55, Carolina Forest 41: Matt Beale had 11 points for the Panthers, but the top-ranked team in Class A proved too much. Hemingway hit nine 3-pointers in the contest.
Myrtle Beach 66, Georgetown 36: Emorie Knox led all scorers with 16 points, while O’Neil McBride added 13 for the Seahawks in a winning effort. Georgetown’s Jerry Dorsey led his team with 10 in the loss.
St. James 64, Aynor 33: Payton Lewis had 13 points to lead St. James, while Jordan Furlough and Jayson Brady added nine points of their own in the Sharks’ win.
Socastee 93, Conway Christian 38: Kendrell Generette led with 16 points, Alex Collins and Zach Henderson had 12 apiece, while Andrew Gardner followed with 11 as the Braves cruised to a win.
Friday, Dec. 15
St. James 73, Waccamaw 67 (F/OT): Payton Lewis led with 25 points, while Jordan Furlough had 16 to lead St. James to a comeback win.
Carvers Bay 81, Andrews 55: DiJon Goss (16 points, 14 rebounds) and Stephon Greene (15 points, 10 rebounds) each had double-doubles and three other Bears scored in double figures as they remained undefeated this season. Andrews was led by Shamar Matthews’ 18 points.
Christian Academy 75, Pee Dee Academy 44: Mike Green made six 3-pointers en route to a 23-point night, along with 21 from Davis Guyton as the Saints cruised to a win.
Loris 58, North Myrtle Beach 56: Travis Walters picked up another double-double (20 points, 16 rebounds) while Jahrique Isaiah added 14 points to help Loris erase a second half deficit for a win. Jevon Griffin led North Myrtle Beach with 17 points, and Tyron Stockdale had 14 in a losing effort.
Conway 62, Marion 46: Providence signee Jimmy Nichols had 19 and D’Wuan Grainger followed with 18 of his own to keep Conway undefeated.
New Life Christian (N.C.) 86, Socastee 79: Kendrell Generette scored 17 points and Andrew Gardner added 16, but it was not enough to get past a solid New Life Christian squad out of Fayetteville, N.C.
Trinity-Byrnes 84, Green Sea Floyds 25: A 50-point first half by Trinity-Byrnes put Green Sea Floyds in a hole that proved too deep to dig out of.
Saturday, Dec. 16
Carolina Forest 63, Northwoods Academy 50: Playing for the second time in less than a week, Panthers gained a little momentum headed into the holiday hoops portion of the schedule. T-Jay Brunson led the way with 15 and Freddie Kane had 12 in a winning effort for Carolina Forest.
Girls hoops
Monday, Dec. 11
Green Sea Floyds 47, South Columbus (N.C.) 32: Jalinda Johnson had 20 points while Tamara Jackson added 17 to lead the Trojans to victory.
Tuesday, Dec. 12
Marion 71, Carvers Bay 19: Marion scored the game’s first 25 points and cruised to victory against an overmatched Bears squad.
Loris 67, Lake View 24: Loris outscored its opponent 35-6 in the first half, allowing it to cruise to an easy road win.
Georgetown 37, St. James 20: Leiyah Blunt scored 13 points and Desideria Anderson had 10 to lead the Bulldogs to their fifth straight win.
Myrtle Beach 41, Conway 34: Eight different Myrtle Beach players scored as the Seahawks avenged an earlier loss to rival Conway. Conway’s Neci Hemingway was the only player in double figures with 10 points.
Carolina Forest 70, Northwoods Academy 44: Ellen Nardella and Cheyenne Pyles each scored 18 points, while Alexis Tomlin had nine of her own and 14 rebounds to get the Panthers back in the win column.
Wednesday, Dec. 13
North Myrtle Beach 46, Socastee 23: North Myrtle Beach staked itself to an early advantage and never took its foot off the pedal. Jordan Berger had 21 points to lead the Chiefs to a win.
Thursday, Dec. 14
Carolina Forest 80, Hemingway 30: A 31-6 surge to start the game propelled the Panthers to an easy win.
St. James 39, Aynor 17: Ilenne De Los Santos led all scorers with 12 points and Cherish Washington added eight of her own as the Sharks picked up the win.
Myrtle Beach 49, Georgetown 17: Ivy Collins had 17 points and Asia Smith added seven to help Myrtle Beach push its win streak to four.
Friday, Dec. 15
Andrews 29, Carvers Bay 23: Dymin Coles had 14 points, but it was not enough to get past Andrews in this matchup pitting Region 7-2A foes.
St. James 54, Waccamaw 29: Jenna Mackiewicz led with 13 points, while Ilenne De Los Santos and Anna Wallace each added 12 to lead St. James to a win.
Marion 56, Conway 41: MeMe Williams scored 17 points and Lenaejha Evans had 14 of her own, but the Tigers fell to their third straight loss.
North Myrtle Beach 58, Loris 35: Daveona Hatchell had 14 points while Jenna and Jordan Berger scored 12 and 11, respectively, for the Chiefs in a win.
This story was originally published December 18, 2017 at 4:22 PM with the headline "Tar Heels, blue-chip prospects visit as holiday tournament season tips off."