Augusta has officially declared it the place to be for hoops this week. Three events are taking place in the greater Augusta area and all are loaded with teams from the Volunteer State.
The Nike EYBL Finals at the Peach Jam got the day started as the Bluff City Legends fell in a close contest 61-57 against Houston Hoops.
Nick King (Memphis East) took scoring and board honors with 13 and 11 in the close loss. Cameron Payne (Lausanne) finished with 12 for Bluff City.
Just over the border in Aiken, the Peach State Classic has tipped. Select Basketball behind 19 points from Braxton Bonds (CPA) rolls to a victory. Nathan Moran (BGA) added 17 while Jake Allsmiller (CPA) and Andy Schumpert (Brentwood) each added 16 in the balanced scoring attack.
The Nashville Celtics 16's were next on the docket at the Peach State. A close game turned different down the stretch as the Celtics fell to Game Elite, the former World Wide Renegades organization 75-55. Jaylen Barford (Jackson Southside) led the Celtics with 16 points. Josh Bougher (CBHS) finished with 13 and Andre Wilson (Austin East) finished with 11.
Back on the road and over to the third event, the Elite Youth Invitational and the Tennessee Travelers 17 and under squad. Burton "Big Money" Sampson (Knoxville Webb) and Justin Johnson (Kentucky) each netted 13 points as the Travelers slid past Nike Team Florida 59-55. Alex "The Franchise" Fountain (Wartburg Central) played well and finished with 8 markers in the win and the Travelers raised their record to 2-1.
Finally back to the EYBL as Bluff City fell to a very good CP3 squad 76-61. Jujuan Johnson (Southwind) led the scoring brigade with 19 markers while Payne added 11 in the tough loss.
