Christmas Tournaments

Crest 85 East Chapel Hill 76

In Triple OT the Chargers pulled out the win. This game was back forth most of the day. Coach Bill Ellis at one point benched his starters as they continue to play with little energy and emotion. Maybe this game will shake off some of the funk that they have been in. Dion Malachai had to leave the game with an elbow injury and Spikes did not play. He's traveling with the team and going through practice, but it doesn't look like he will play until he get's back from San Antonio and the All-American game. He leaves this Sunday.

Crest was led in the scoring column by CJ Wright with 18. Rayshawn Roseboro had 17 and Bruce Smith added 15. Crest moves to 5-4 on the year and will Independence today at 5:30.

I stayed and watched some the Indy/Waddell game. Indy has little guard, 5, that isn't afraid to launch it. I think his name is Tomko. From what I saw, Indy is a very good rebounding team.

Crest better come out ready to play today or it will be a long evening.

 

Tuedsay, Dec. 27th

Round 1

AC Reynolds 103
Tuscola 34

Wednesday, Dec. 28th

Round 2

AC Reynolds 107
Enka 43

Thursday, Dec. 29th

CHAMPIONSHIP

AC Reynolds
Pisgah

 

Wednesday December 28 @Morganton
28th Freedom Christmas Invitational
McDowell 69
Freedom 61 3rd place

Millbrook 68
Mt.Zion 65 ot 1st place

That was Mt.Zion's national team,their top squad
They have 3 teams

 

Wait, so Mount Zion just lost with it's top team? Laurinburg is goin down to Norcross tomorrow.

 

Are you sure? I believe this was their "B" team. The "A" team had a scheduling conflict and honored another committment.

 

Yeah, after looking back on it, that was Mt. Zion's "A" team. Only thing was that the 6-11 kid they had wasn't there, I would assume because of injury? Millbrook's coaching staff did an excellent job getting ready for Mt. Zion.

In general, this year's Freedom Christmas Invitational was one of the most exciting three days of ball in quite a few years. There were more dunks this year than in the last six or seven years, combined. That alone makes it fun to watch if you are a casual fan. There were some great players who stepped up when given the time to shine. Dion Malachai put down a dunk early in yesterday's game against East Chapel Hill that I will remember for years. That boy has mad hops, BTW I hear his uncle wasn't that bad a player also.

Then you got #5 for Independence, Chad Tomko. That boy can shoot the rock (reguardless of what Jersey he wears, lol.)...he scored 38 points in today's win over Crest.

The kid for Mt. Zion that impressed me the most was #21, Lenny Daniels. Most those boys out there, especially Tracy Smith looked like they were just going through the motions. While Daniels and some others played pretty hard IMO.

The two guards, numbers 11 and 2 played very hard for Millbrook and you can also include #3. Those three players hit some big shots late in regulation and in overtime.

 

Mt.Zion 6' 11" player is no longer at the school.

 

Indy 71 Crest 67

A heart breaking lose for a short handed Crest team. Crest Forward Dion Malachai fractured his elbow in the game vs East Chapel Hill so he did not play. He's out 4-6 weeks. The Chargers also have guard Anthony Neal out with a shoulder problem, and Spikes still hasn't suited up for a game. Indy held a 4 point lead at the half at 37-33. Tomko of Indy had 24 of the 37. At the end of the 3rd qtr Crest had cut the Indy lead to 1 55-54. Crest was able to get the lead in the 4th, but just didn't take care of the basketball. Inyd was able to get the lead back and forced Crest into fouling. Indy made enough free throws, and Crest didn't take advantage of opportunites late. Tomko led Indy with 38 points. Bruce Smith was the leading scorer for Crest with 18. Jared Maddox had 17, Rayshawn Roseboro with 13, and CJ Wright with 12. Crest moves to 5-5 on the year and host Burns Jan. 3rd. Sure will be nice to see this team play together before the year is over.


Rules Question: Tomko for Indy was bleeding in the 3rd qtr. He got blood on his jersery and had to come out of the game. They gave him another players jersery and he came back in. I thought you had to use a spare number. I didn't think it could be an active player on the roster. Anybody know for sure? Just wondering. I was talking aboutit with some McDowell fans and they thought the same thing.

 

And to think...Crest had Millbrook on the ropes in the first game of the Tourney and they couldn't hold on. Millbrook then wins the whole thing.

 

well, somebody outta inform one of these scouting websites (scout.com database in particular) because the kid is still listed as being at Mt. Zion.