Tampa Bay Christmas Invitational: Standouts in Games 5-8
32 teams from all over the US headed to the Tampa Bay Area for 3 games each co-hosted by Seffner Christian and SLAM! Tampa. I spent 12 hours on Friday and on Saturday covering 16 of those teams at the…
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Continue Reading32 teams from all over the US headed to the Tampa Bay Area for 3 games each co-hosted by Seffner Christian and SLAM! Tampa. I spent 12 hours on Friday and on Saturday covering 16 of those teams at the host site of Seffner Christian. Teams came from all over Florida as well as: New Jersey, Kentucky, Ohio, Texas, Georgia, Wisconsin, Tennessee, Illinois, South Carolina, and even a team from Puerto Rico. In these first two days, the games have not disappointed one bit at the Tampa Bay Christmas Invitational.
Here are some of the standout players and a short recap from Games 5 through 8 (Clearwater Beach Bracket) at Seffner Christian:
Game 5 – Luella (GA) pulls away late from Armwood 49-39
Luella is a tall, long, and athletic team that outscored Armwood by 2 in the first quarter where that lead would stay until the 4th. The Lions went on to outscore the Hawks by 8 in the final quarter to take the win as one of the strongest defensive teams in the bracket. Here are some standout players from Game 5:
Luella (10-3)
Keely Brown (2020) – She was the most athletic player and probably the best overall player I saw on the first day. Keely had 14 points in this game coming from around the hoop, at the free throw line, and behind the arc. Her vertical was unreal, she is a great rebounding guard, and she will take her superior athletic ability to Fresno State next year.
Paris Miller (2022) – She has a similar to game to Keely’s, but is not as developed as only a Sophomore. She is another lengthy guard who scored at all three levels. They make up a tough backcourt duo that I imagine is one of the best in their area as well as all of Georgia.
Armwood (7-3)
Taviyanna Habib (2021) – She has played very well in the absence of Armwood’s two star Freshmen. Tavi stepped up big in this one by contributing 20 points which was more than half of the teams scoring output. Taviyanna has a great frame, a pretty jumper, and is one of the best players in the Tampa Bay Area. She had all of those points through three quarters, but Luella did a good job of slowing her down in the fourth.
Aniyah Jenkins (2020) – She has also done a good job of stepping up on the offensive end to make up for their temporary lack of depth. Aniyah is a talented post who controlled the boards for her team in this one. Her points came in the first and last quarter with 10 in this tough loss. She’s a top unsigned post in the 2020 class who may get even more offers as the year progresses.
Game 6 – Gulf Coast wins at the buzzer over Kaukauna (WI) 44-42
The GC Sharks have a strong, young team with terrific guards, shooters, and posts that check every box. Once they start clicking, they will be one of the best in the state. They started slow against a solid Galloping Ghosts team from Wisconsin who held a 12-6 lead after one quarter of play. Gulf Coast used a big third quarter to take a ten point lead by only allowing two points over those eight minutes. Kaukauna made a great run in the last quarter, but came up just short when Maddie Leslie AKA Minnesota got an offensive rebound put back at the buzzer (see featured image). Here are some standout players from Game 6:
Gulf Coast (8-4)
Reese Tremitiere (2022) – She is a tremendous vocal leader as only a Sophomore, and is the only returning starter from last year’s squad. She’s one of the best post players in her class who is a strong, physical lefty that had some impressive moves over both of her shoulders in the first day. It’s not often that you see a true post who can finish with both hands as an underclassmen. Reese has an improved mid-range game with a pretty shot that she showcased on her free throw attempts as well.
Ellanda Francois (2021) – She is a welcome addition to this team as another post who will help Reese this season. Gulf Coast has playmakers such as Katie Ambrose and Jordyn Robinson who cause defenders to collapse on the ball which led to some easy buckets and 10 points for Ellanda in this narrow victory.
Kaukauna (WI)
Graysin Hartjes (2021) – She stood out as a leader on this team who nearly won the game for her team with three 3’s in the last quarter. She finished the day with a team leading 17 points all on field goals. Graysin is one of the best shooters in this tournament, and she shot well from all over the court in this one.
Chloe Van Zeeland (2021) – I was very impressed with Chloe’s game as one of the best posts in this event. She scored 12 points in this first round matchup against a team who had some solid post defenders. Chloe has some real upside as one of the most impressive scoring and rebounding posts who does it at a high level.
Game 7 – Nolensville (TN) zooms past Heritage 72-36
Nolensville dominated this game from the first whistle and had a massive 17-3 advantage after just one quarter of play. Heritage is a nice team, but they had probably their worst effort of the year which does no bode well against a very strong team from Tennessee. Here are some standout players from Game 7:
Nolensville (8-3)
Grace Baird (2020) – This sharpshooter had 7 three’s in a lopsided win as the most lethal shooter of the day. Grace finished the day with 27 points which nearly outscored the opposing team. She will continue her basketball career at Trevecca Nazarene University.
Sydney Mickulin (2020) – She had a fantastic game for her team with 14 points in the win. Sydney scored in every quarter and make some tough shots around the rim in this one. She will continues her basketball career at Embry Riddle.
Heritage (9-4)
Kelli Howard (2020) – She was the best shooter on her team on this gloomy day for Heritage. Kelli has a pure stroke and scored 12 points on 4 three’s in the loss.
Nubia Benedith (2020) – She is the best player on this team, and she scored 11 in the first round game. Nubia is a solid player who can shoot, get to the hoop, and finish strong at the basket. Her next move is to play for Division 1 North Florida after this season.
Game 8 – Seffner Christian cruises by American Collegiate Academy 68-44
ACA was a late addition to the field, and they are getting to play some very tough competition which will help them in the long haul. SCA is a top team in the area who has multiple players who will continue on to play at the next level. Here are some standout players from Game 8:
Seffner Christian (12-3)
CC Mays (2020) – She is a very physical guard who scores at every level and is a vocal leader on this Seffner team. She led the way with 16 points with those coming for all over the place as she can do it all on both ends. CC will take her talents to play at Marshall after graduation.
Kali Barber (2020) – She got the chance to show off in front of her college coach who made the trip from Maine Maritime to see her play. Kali scored 14 with only 3 of those points coming from long distance which is her bread and butter. She’s a fun player to watch who plays the game hard on each side of the court.
Chimera Iloanya (2021) – She is a great addition for this team who has capable shooters and a top PG in the state. Chimera has some great footwork as a post and controls the boards for this team. She put up 11 points in limited action in the first round matchup.
American Collegiate Academy (Clearwater)
Michel Rivera (2022) – She had a great performance against a very good opponent with 18 points in this one. Michel is a young player who has some potential by being able to score from everywhere and a quality knowledge for the game.
Da’Nasia Albritton (2022) – Another solid Sophomore on the team is their best post player in Da’Nasia. She stands at 6’2 and did well on the boards and added 10 points around the rim for the Pioneers in round one.