Crescom Bank Holiday Invitational – Championship Bracket – Preview
2019 Crescom Bank Holiday Invitational – Championship Bracket – Preview Every year Myrtle Beach is the location for some of the top teams in the country to come and enjoy the great weather during December before the Christmas Holiday,…
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Continue Reading2019 Crescom Bank Holiday Invitational – Championship Bracket – Preview
Every year Myrtle Beach is the location for some of the top teams in the country to come and enjoy the great weather during December before the Christmas Holiday, they also come to compete in 1 of the most competitive Girls High School Basketball tournaments in the country. The Crescom Bank Holiday Invitational is a spin off from the boys version which is known as the Beachball Classic, the top Boys Tournament in the Country for Boys High School Basketball. This year the total number of teams are up to 56 which includes the traditional 16 Team Championship Bracket along with 5 – 8 team brackets that will be played in the MB Sports center exclusively. This year’s tournament will run from Tuesday December 17 – Saturday December 21, it will be exciting and loaded with top talent from 12 different states.
I will be taking a look at the 16 Team Championship Bracket in this preview to identify the top players & matchups to keep an eye on.
Tuesday December 17
10:00 AM – Miami Senior HS (FL) vs Clovis West (CA
- Miami Senior – Makes a return trip to the event after finishing in 6th place in the 2018 Championship bracket, they return loaded with 2020 – Wing – Colleen Bucknor (UCF Signee) locked in after a great summer on the AAU/Club Circuit. 2020 – Guard – Jennie Scott & 2020 – Guard – Daria Whitley – are two other players to watch for this team that made it to the State Finals in 2019.
- Clovis West – They are looking to carry on a high level of winning that they have established in California, coming off a 31 – 4 record last year & there 7th consecutive Central Section Title. This team is not slowing down at all, they are returning – 2021 – 5’9” – Guard – Niki Tom – an All State performer in 2018 – 2019 that is looking to bring back a Crescom Championship home to cali this Christmas.
11:45 AM – Eagles Landing HS (GA) vs Ryle HS (KY)
- Eagles Landing – Coming off another GHSA Region 4 – AAAAA Championship and a 23 – 6 record, they are coming into this event with some strong leadership. 2020 – Guard – Jaleah Storr (GA Southwestern Signee) leads the way and will get a lot of help from 2020 – 5’10” – Guard – Mariyah Fletcher and 2021 – 6’0” – Forward – Kayla Stafford as they look to bring home the championship.
- Ryle – This team is looking to make a name for themselves nationally – 2018-2019 ended with a KHSAA State Championship and a 33 – 5 Record. This season starts with 1 of the top players in the Country still shooting in their gym – 2020 – 5’11” – Guard – Maddie Scherr (Oregon SIgnee) is looking to repeat last years success which included – 2019 Kentucky Gatorade State Player of the year – KHSAA Sweet 16 Tournament MVP.
1:30 PM – St. Francis (GA) vs Lake Highland HS (FL)
- St. Francis -Making there annual trip to Myrtle Beach after a 25 – 4 Season and trip to the State Final 4, they are in position for a deep run in South Carolina this Holiday season. Key Returnees include 2020 – 6’3” – Wing – Amirah Abdur-Rahim (Notre Dame Signee) – 2020 – 6’2” – Wing – Savannah Samuels (Oregon State Signee) – 2020 – 6’2” – Forward – Kennedi Philson ( Lynn University Signee) – and 2021 – 5’6” – Guard – Mia Moore.
- Lake Highland – Perennial power in Florida 5A Classification, following a 26 – 5 season in 2018 – 2019, took a tough loss in the State Championship game. They return a talented roster for this season including – 2020 – Guard – Zanoria Cruz (Western Carolina U Signee) – 2021 – 6’1′ – Forward – Kayla Blackshear – 2022 – 6’2” – Forward – Nyla Harris – 2023 – 5’7” – Guard – Eleecia Carter – Are a highly talented group that are being recruited heavily.
3:15 PM – Keenan HS (SC) vs Parkersburg HS (WV)
- Keenan – Will have 1 of the most exciting, Athletic & skilled Guards in this tournament on the floor – 2023 – Milaysia Fulwiley – is the # 1 Ranked player in her South Carolina recruiting class according to Prep Girls Hoops. This Keenan program has played for the SCHSL State Championship the last 2 years winning it all in 2018. 2020 – Guard – Dyani Burke (Newberry College signee) will keep the defense honest with her shooting ability.
- Parkersburg – This West Virginia Powerhouse program enters this season coming off Back 2 Back WVSSAC AAA State Championships and a 26 – 1 season in 2018 – 2019. They are returning 2 All – State players including 2020 – Forward – Aleea Crites – and – 2020 – Guard – Breanna Wilson – Leading scorer in the 2019 State Championship game with 27 Pts, including 6 – 3-Ptrs.
Wednesday December 18
10:15 PM – Science Hill HS (TN) vs Myrtle Beach HS (SC)
- Science Hill – Comes in with a strong team and 1 of the top players in the Big 7 Conference that the Lady Hilltoppers play in. 2020 – Forward – Alasia Smith (Gardner Webb Signee) is a versatile player that can score inside & out, her motor & defensive ability are top notch. 2021 – Guard – Jeila Greenlee and 2020 and Guard – Aliyanna Hill are 2 of the other players to watch, this team has some talent and depth..
- Myrtle Beach – The home team Lady Seahawks are always a team to watch, they are coming off a great season in 2018 – 2019, finishing with a 21 – 7 record and a trip to the SCHSL 4A – Lower State Championship, where they lost to 3 Time Defending State Champion North Augusta. The team is going through transition after losing some talented seniors off last years roster, an early 4 – 0 start to this season shows that they are someone to not overlook throughout this tournament.
12:00 PM – McEachern HS (GA) vs Lebanon HS (TN)
- McEachern – Returns to the Championship bracket after a strong showing last year, they are lead by 2020 – Forward – Daelynn Craig – Already averaging a Double /Double so far this year with 12 Pts and 10 Rebs per game. McEachern also have an outstanding backcourt trio with 2021 – Guard – Denim Deshields – 2021 – Sianny Sanchez-Oliver and 2022 – Guard – Caelan Ellis, they proved to be a tough out last year, they all are strong ball handlers that can score the rock, I am looking forward to seeing this group again this year.
- Lebanon – Coming off a Historic season where they won the Region Championship for the 1st time since 1982 and finished 25 – 11, they are looking to create more history in Myrtle Beach. They will rely on there senior sharpshooter – 2020 – Guard – Allissa Mulaski (Bryan College Signee) to keep the winning ways going and make it 4 in a row while visiting South Carolina.
1:45 PM – Oak Ridge HS (TN) vs Mercer County HS (SC)
- Oak Ridge – Coming off a season where they finished 34 – 3 and brought home another Region Championship they are looking to take it to another level in 2019 – 2020. Head Coach: Paige Green – Is off to a hot start at 6 – 0 to this point and will be coming to Myrtle Beach looking to bring back some hardware to the Knoxville area.
- Mercer County – Head Coach: Hayley Spivey – Is in her 1st year running the Lady Titans program, she has some Big shoes to fill the previous coach has won 20 Games every year since 2009, 25+ games 7 times. They are off to a 3 – 1 start to the season and will rely heavily on 2020 – Guard – Channing Lewis – Who is averaging 14.5 ppg so far this season. 2023 – Guard – Timberlynn Yeast – Comes into this year on a tear, raising her average up to 17 Pts so far this season.
3:30 PM – Southwest Dekalb HS (GA) vs Christ The King HS (NY)
- Southwest Dekalb – Coming off another great season in 2018 – 2019 where they finished 24 – 7 and won another AAAAA Region Championship along the way. They are coming into this year relying on 2020 – Guard – Jayla Kimbrough (Austin Peay Signee) – 2021 – 6’1” – Forward – Taylor Christmas – 2021 – Guard – Lauryn Bell – 2021 – Forward – Adrieanna “AD” Brownlee – to keep this program playing at a high level throughout there time in Myrtle Beach.
- Christ The King – The defending NYS Champions are coming off a 26 – 4 season and even though they lost a lot of Div 1 Talent ( 4 Div 1 Players signed ), they are returning a team that will look to carry on the winning traditions at the school. 2020 – 6’4” – Forward – Natalija Marshall ( Notre Dame Signee) is the leader and a returning All – State performer – 2022 – 6’1” – Guard – Saniyah Glenn – Is a highly skilled player that has already made a name for herself. The last trip to Myrtle Beach in 2017 sent them back to Queens, NY with the Championship trophy, this team has that same kind of mentality.