The Holidays bring everyone together for family and friends to share our blessings. The Holidays also bring hoops. Lots of hoops. The pre-Christmas tournament schedule was intense and here are some of the results from the various events around the state and country that teams from Tennessee were a part of.
CITY OF PALMS (FLORIDA)
Southwind represented the state of Tennessee at one of the nation's top hoops holiday events finishing 2-2 on the weekend.
The Jaguars opened strong scoring an 82-44 victory over Prestonwood Prep (TX) behind 20 from Jujuan Johnson (Southwind), 18 from Johnathan Williams (Southwind) and a dozen from Deckie Johnson (Southwind).
Johnson, Jujuan that is, dropped 27 as Southiwnd went to 2-0 with an 88-70 victory over Lakes Wales (FL). Williams added 21 in the victory.
Southwind ran into a buzz saw as Long Peak (UT) bested the crew 67-52 despite 22 from Williams, 15 from Jujuan Johnson and 10 from Peyton Husley (Southwind).
SMOKEY MOUNTAIN HOLIDAY CLASSIC (GATLINBURG, TN)
Mason Ramsey (Livingston Academy) took MVP honors scoring 27 points in a narrow 61-58 victory over Pulaski County (KY). Joining Ramsey on the All-Tournament team were Brock McCoin (Livingston Academy) and Wade Eldridge (Livingston Academy).
In the smaller school bracket Richland got 19 and 18 from Cody Jordan (Richland) and Brett Boatright (Richland) respectively and trounced Whitwell 78-51. Jordan and Boatright were named to the All-Tournament team as teammate Carson Edwards (Richland) came away with MVP honors.
Ramsey was effective the entire tournament including a nice 38 point effort against Ezell-Harding. Austin Gee (Ezell-Harding) continued his fine play this season with a 36 point effort against Huntsville (AL).
PEPER LAW FIRM HOLIDAY CLASSIC (WEST ASHLEY, SC)
Ooltewah fell to Charlotte Hough 72-53 in the title game of the Classic after a couple of nice wins in the prelims. Antonio Jackson (Ooltewah), C.J. Fritz (Ooltewah), and Ben Snider (Ooltewah) all contributed 10 points in the title game loss.
Jackson was big scoring 24 in a semi-final victory over West Ashley (SC). Snider added 17.
Jacqueze Robinson (Ooltewah) came out the gates hot scoring 21 in the opening game victory over Hanahan (SC). Snider contributed 14 in the victory.
MT. JULIET HOLIDAY CLASSIC (MT. JULIET, TN)
Brentwood finished 2-0 with victories over Hunter's Lane (61-49) and LaVergne (78-54) at the Mt. Juliet Holiday Classic. Cody Shelton (Brentwood) played large scoring 24 in the victory over Hunter's Lane. Asa Duvall (Brentwood) added 13 while Andy Schumpert (Brentwood) pitched in with 11.
Duvall was high man with 20 against LaVergne. Jacob Adcock (Brentwood) added 19 for the Bruins while Schumpert finished with 16. Isaiah Reese (LaVergne) led his squad with 18.
Nolan Chowbay (Mt. Juliet) scored 22 as Mt. Juliet won a buzzer beater against LaVergne 63-60 in Friday action. Reagan Johnson (Mt. Juliet) added 19 in the victory. Charles Macon-Sutton (LaVergne) led with 14 for the Wolverines. Mt. Juliet fell to Hunter's Lane 57-43 on Saturday.
RIVERDALE HOLIDAY CLASSIC (MURFREESBORO, TN)
Blackman is fast becoming the team to beat in Middle Tennessee. The Blaze made short work of their two foes at the Riverdale Holiday Classic besting Millington Central 65-49 behind 16 from Darius Thompson (Blackman). Thompson was at it against on Saturday leading the scoring with 19 as the Blaze bested Ravenwood 65-47. Matthew Hailey (Ravenwood) led the Raptors with 11.
Ravenwood was successful on Friday evening besting the host squad Riverdale 55-42 behind 15 from Jonathan Coles (Ravenwood), 13 from Hailey and 11 from Joey Barnes (Ravenwood).
Steven Wilson (Riverdale) scored 17 as the Warriors beat Milllington Central 64-56 in Saturday action.
EAST NASHVILLE MAGNET HOLIDAY CLASSIC (NASHVILLE, TN)
East Nashville got 19 points from senior guard Bobby Scott (East Nashville) and slid past West Creek 59-41 at the one day East Nashville Holiday Classic. Phillip Smith (West Creek) led his squad with 15 in defeat.
Ivan Alsup (Nashville Overton) scored 24 points as Nashville Overton bested Marshall County 65-51 in the other Friday match-up. Shaquille Davis (Nashville Overton) added 19 in the victory.
ADIDAS PANTHER CLASSIC (MYRTLE BEACH, SC)
Brady Smith (Bearden) scored 15 and tournament MVP Jack Graham (Bearden) pitched in with 13 as the Bulldogs of Bearden finished off Georgetown High (SC) 51-43 to take home the trophy as champions of the Adidas Panther Classic in Myrtle Beach.
Bearden, who raised their season record to 12-1, was sharp throughout including a 70-60 semi-final victory over St. James (SC). Graham led the scoring brigade with 15 followed closely by Same Greene (Bearden) and Adarius Wilson (Bearden) with 13 and finally Smith with 12.
KIA SHOOTOUT (JOHNSON CITY, TN)
Science Hill played host to a round robin event that culminated with an 83-64 Hilltopper victory over Cleveland. The win moved Science Hill to 17-1 on the young season. Will Adams (Science Hill) and C.J. Good (Science Hill) each scored 21 in the victory.
SUN DROP ROMP
Jacob Williams (Wilson Central) scored 24 points and collected MVP honors as the Wildcats topped DeKalb County 59-49 at the Sun Drop Romp. Braxton Atnip (DeKalb County) led the Tigers with 20.
LAUSANNE LYNX HOLIDAY CLASSIC (MEMPHIS, TN)
A series of games highlighted by some of the top teams in the Memphis area was on display at the Lausanne Lynx Holiday Classic in hoops friendly Memphis this past week.
Jeremy Hemphill (Memphis Central) and Josh Jones (Memphis Central) scored 21 and 15 respectively as Memphis Central bested Brighton.
Other quality contests saw White Station cover up Corinth (MS) 67-56 behind 21 points from Chris Chiozza (White Station).
Marlon Hunter (Melrose) was a big boy scoring 29 markers as the Golden Wildcats dropped the host team Lausanne 76-67. Jamerio Jones (Melrose) pitched in with 16 as Melrose prepares for its trip across the state to play at the prestigious Arby's Classic in Bristol. Cameron Payne (Lausanne) had a big day scoring 28 for the Lynx.
