The holiday season brings us tournaments and more tournaments. Sitting down and catching several games in one venue is a scouts dream. I have compiled as many of the holiday tournament results that I could muster and here is a list of the happenings. Happy New Year to everyone.
King of the Bluegrass (Louisville, KY)
One of the longest running events in the Southeast, The King of the Bluegrass is always a high level event and this year was no exception. Brentwood Academy, led by rising Class of 2018 star, Darius Garland (Brentwood Academy) and his 23 markers defeated Louisville Trinity to bring home the KOTBG crown. Garland was named MVP of the event. Jeremiah Oatsvall (Brentwood Academy) added 19 in the title game victory and also secured aspot on the All-Tournament team. Joining Garland and Oatsvall on the glitter squad was Garrett Suedekum (Brentwood Academy).
River City Sports Wildcat Holiday Tournament (Chattanooga, TN)
Hayden Baldwin (Station Camp) led a cast of five in double digits as the Bison made short work of the host school Hixson 80-23 to capture the River City Sports Wildcat Holiday Classic. Keaton Dotson (Station Camp) chipped in with 12 and the trio of Kody Eden (Station Camp), Yalen Reed (Station Camp) and Sawyer Taylor (Station Camp) all pitched in with 10. Reed was named the MVP of the tournament and was joined on the all-tournament team by Eden and Chase Freeman (Station Camp).
Heritage Christmas Tournament (Maryville, TN)
Kentel Williams (Fulton) snared MVP honors as Fulton got by a stubborn hosting Heritage squad 58-53 to bring home the trophy at the Heritage Holiday Classic. Rising freshman Trey Davis (Fulton) led the Falcons with 11 followed by Williams and Joe Kimber (Fulton) with 10 points apiece. Calvin Keeble (Heritage) led all scorers for the Mountaineers with 23. Brandon Davis (Heritage) added 14.
Bardstown Holiday Classic (Bardstown, KY)
Clay Washburn (CPA) dropped 19 as the Lions of CPA defeated Aiken (OH) 65-55 to bring home the title at the Bardstown Holiday Classic in Kentucky. Michael Mayernick (CPA) pitched in with 16 while senior guard Evan Ragsdale (CPA) added 12.
Smoky Mountain Holiday Classic (Gatlinburg, TN)
Tyreke Key (Clay County) dropped 24 points and snatched 12 boards as Clay County got passed Sevier County 58-54 to capture the Smoky Mountain Holiday Classic in Gatlinburg. Wyatt Maby (Clay County) added 15 for the victors.
Renasant Bank Holiday Classic (Maryville, TN)
Joe Kimber (Fulton) led all scorers with 19 including six key points late as Fulton kept their season record unblemished defeating Maryville 55-50 and capturing the Renasant Bank Holiday Classic. Joining Kimber in the score book were rising freshman scorer Trey Davis (Fulton) who finshed with 12 markers and senior point guard Kentel Williams (Fulton) with 10. Easton Upchurch (Maryville) led the Rebels with 15 points.
Powell Christmas Classic (Knoxville, TN)
Noah Carter (Jefferson County) scored 22 points as the Patriots of Jefferson County defeated the host squad Powell 55-49 to capture the Powell Christmas Classic. Danny Bates (Jefferson County) added 11 in the tourney championship victory.
Centralia Holiday Tournament (Centralia, IL)
Germantown, increased their season record to 15-1,behind 26 points from Darrell Brown (Germantown) and upended the host Centralia High 54-49 capturing the Centralia Holiday Classic in Illinois. Lucky Cheatham (Germantown) added 11 in the title game victory. In the third place game Arlington, behind a 40 spot from Nathan Hoover (Arlington), dropped Christian County 78-65. Garrett Golday (Arlington) added 14 in the win.
Fort Walton Beach Blowout (Fort Walton Beach, FL)
All the way to Floirda for a Tennessee final. CBHS kept their undefeated season afloat defeating the defending DII state champion Brentwood Academy 57-50 to bring home the title at the Fort Walton Beach Blowout in Florida. William Douglas (CBHS) led all scorers with 19 for CBHS. Darius Garland (Brentwood Academy) scored 17 in the tight loss.
HCB Classic Christmas Tourney (Jackson, TN)
Marquis Clark (Jackson Northside) and Diego Womack (Jackson Northside) dropped 15 points apiece as Northside defeated Westwood 65-58 to bring home the title at the HCB Classic Christmas Tourney in Jackson. Chavis Fuller (Jackson Northside) added 11 in the victory.
Martin Lions Club Christmas Tourney (Martin, TN)
Garrett Sams (Westview) scored a game high 26 as state ranked Westview defeated fellow state ranked Obion County 76-70 to capture the Martin Lions Club Christmas Tourney. Joe Wiggins (Obion County) and Nathan King (Obion County) scored 23 and 19 respectively in the tough defeat.
Hilton Sandestin Beach Blowout (Destin, FL)
Another Tennessee final at an out of state event, Cookeville gets three players in double digits and bests PJPII 55-53 in overtime to bring home the title from the Hilton Sandestin Beach Blowout in Florida. Noah Hilliker (Cookeville) led the scoring charge with 14 followed closely by Aiden Gist (Cookeville) with 12 and Jacob Wilbursheid (Cookeville) with 11.
Nera White Holiday Classic (Lafayette, TN)
Tyreke Key (Clay County) concluded a fantastic holiday season scoring 31 points and helping Clay County to a 65-56 win over rival Jackson County and the championship at the annual Nera White Holiday Classic. Key was named MVP for his efforts. Clay County captured their second holiday title having won the Smoky Mountain Tournament in Gatlinburg the previous week.
Clorine Edwards Classic (Memphis, TN)
Not your traditional holiday format but a very worthy cause for my friend and Southwind Coach Paul Edwards. Day two saw the host squad Southiwnd defeat Melrose 77-67 behind 22 from Carlos Marshall (Southwind) and 16 from Mark Freeman (Southwind). Parish Hewitt (Melrose) led melrose with 17 markers. Nate Vaughn (Briarcrest) and Will Hrubes (Briarcrest) scored 17 and 15 respectively as Briarcrest bested City University 70-36 while in the final game of the day Exzavion Young (Bartlett) scored 22 markers as Bartlett defeated perennial West Tennessee power Dyer County 64-49. Rising freshman Jeff Walker (Bartlett) added 15 in the win.
Father Ryan Christmas Tourney (Nashville, TN)
Christian Dewitt (Blackman) led a total of 12 teammates who found points beside their names with 11 as the Blaze torched the host school Father Ryan 62-34 capturing the Father Ryan Christmas Classic in Nashville. Griffin Bumpas (Father Ryan) tied for game high scoring honors with 11 for the host squad.
Beech Holiday Tournament (Hendersonville, TN)
Yalen Reed (Station Camp) scored a game high 24 points but a clutch 3 with just under 25 ticks remaining by Sawyer Taylor (Station Camp) lifted the Bison to a hard fought 57-56 win over a determined White's Creek squad and the title of the Beech Holiday Tournament. The win keeps Station Camp unbeaten on the season. Isaiah Bowers (White's Creek) was big dropping 22 markers and rising junior Ruot Monyyong (White's Creek) added 20 in the tough loss.
Nashville Overton Christmas Classic (Nashville, TN)
Mo Muhamed (Lighthouse Christian) scored 18 as the youthful Lighthouse group captured the championship with a 71-61 win over Clarksville Northeast at the annual Overton Christmas Classic in Nashville. Class of 2021 guard Zion Harmon (Lighthouse Christian) added 11 while rising freshman sensation Francis Okoyo (Lighthouse Christian) pitched in with 10. Jontae Brown (Clarksville Northeast) led all scorers with 24. Jaylon Tharpe (Clarksville Northeast) added 14 in the loss.
Hickman County Above the Rim Classic (Centerville, TN)
Zach Erickson (Ravenwood) led all scorers with 21 as Ravenwood defeated Marshall County 56-51 to snatch the title at the annual Hickman County Above the Rim Classic. Case Bouldin (Ravenwood) added 12 in the title game victory. Curtis Keller (Marshall County) led his squad with 15 in defeat.
Sonic Shootout (Sparta, TN)
White County placed four in double digits as the Warriors bested Pickett County 91-35 to bring home the title at the 8th annual Sonic Shootout Holiday Event. Jacob Fresh (White County) led the scoring with 22 followed closely by Pierce Whited (White County) with 14, Cade Crosland (White County) with 12 and tournament MVP Mitchell Lamb (White County) with 10.
Best of Preps (Chattanooga, TN)
Wave after wave of players clad in blue and white appeared to be overwhelming as McCallie bested Chattanooga Central 69-49 to capture the title of Best of Preps. 12 players from McCallie notched buckets led by rising sophomore shooter Mac Hunt (McCallie) with 12. Terron Hayes (Chattanooga Central) led all scorers with 17 for the Purple Pounders
Lenoir City Holiday Classic (Lenoir City, TN)
Josh Endicott (Upperman) and Ben Guffey (Upperman) scored 12 points each as the Bees defeated the host squad Lenoir City 44-37 to bring home the championship at the Lenoir City Holiday Classic. Austin Schrum (Upperman) added 10 points in the title game victory.
BSN Sports Super 16 (Knoxville, TN)
Colton Blevins (York Institute) scored 15 markers and snatched 18 caroms as York dismantled Austin East 92-63 capturing the title at the BSN Sports Super 16 at Bearden. Blevins, who has signed with Tennessee Tech, was named MVP of the tournament. Joining him in the scorebook were Pacey Pile (York Institute) with 16, Isaac Pennyhouse (York Institute) with 15, Damon Johnson (York Institute) with 12, Seth Baldwin (York Institute) with 11 and Case Moody (York Institute) with 10. Kejuan Hale (Austin East) and Geo Mobley (Austin East) scored 16 and 13 for the Roadrunners in defeat.
