Boys eight-team champions, all-tournament selections

2006 Eight team boys championship, St. Benedict

MVP Corey Stokes and MOP Samardo Samuels

All-tournament team

All tournament team
Marcus Kitts, Middle Creek
Yorel Hawkins, Apex
Curtis Hines, Kinston
Brock Young, Broughton
Gerald Colds, St. Raymonds
Daryl Bryant, St. Raymonds
Weslye Saunders, Riverside
Justin Burton, Riverside
Larry Drew, Taft
Bryce Smith, Taft

MOP - Samardo Samuels, St. Benedict
MVP - Corey Stokes, St. Benedict

St. Benedict 69, Taft 43

Both teams are doing their pre-game circle chants and we should be underway soon! Both teams come out tight, some ugly shots on both sides. St. Benedict gets on the board first with a bucket from Corey Stokes, answered with one for Taft by Carter. The Gray Bees big wide bodies are giving Taft some trouble early. Stokes with a couple of nice short jumpers and Benedict is up by eight. Zach Rosen's three puts Benedict up 13, 17-4. A four point first quarter is rough for Taft.

2nd quarter opens with a 11-0 run for Taft punctuated with Garrett Green, Larry Drew and Justin Hawkins back to back to back three-pointers. NBA three for Corey Stokes ends that Gray Bees scoring drought. Another three from Rosen and TWO back to back from Tamir Jackson, extending the Benedict lead to 15. Just tons of threes being shot - lots of misses too. Taft is struggling right now. Rosen steals a bad pass and lays it up. a 15-0 run for St. Benedict makes it 32-12 with 2:29 before halftime. Another three from Stokes and a huge slam by Samardo Samuels makes it a 20-0 run, 37-15. Rosen layup and Samuel layup, 24-0 run. Last possession Rosen takes the inbounds, runs down the clock and drains a leaner, 43-15 at the half. Stokes has 14, Rosen 12 and Samuels 10 at the half. Justin Hawkins leads Taft with five.

The game is a bit more even so far in the second half but at 50-24, Taft has dug themselves a huge hole. The dunk-fest has started for the Gray Bees with about four to go as the lead extends to 27.

Taft 4 11 14 14 -43
St. Benedict 17 26 14 12 - 69

Taft - T. Carter 10, J. Hawkins 10, L. Drew 9, B. Smith 6, G. Green 3, D. Brumfield 2, S. Fowler 2, B. Kamwa 1. Leading rebounders - T. Carter 8, J. Hawkins 5. Assist leaders - Drew 1.

St. Benedict - C. Stokes 16, S. Samuel 15, Z. Rosen 14, T. Jackson 13, G. Echenique 7, D. McMillan 4. Leading rebounders - C. Stokes 7, S. Samuel 7. Assist leaders - Z. Rosen 5.

American Christian 73, Hope Christian 66

Michael Glover has resumed his dunking exhibition and has 18 first half points. It was a two point game with 30 seconds left in the second quarter. Then Kareen Ellis hit a long two and then stole the ball, which Tyreke Evans laid in as the clock ran out on the first half for a six point lead. LaRon Dendy has 11 for Hope as JT Thompson picked up three first half fouls.

Glover kept up the scoring and mugging, totalling a whopping 32 points (14-22 shooting). Tyreke Evans had 10 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists. Hope was led by Dendy with 17, Thompson and Gabriel with 14 points and five rebounds each.

Boys four-team champions, all-tournament selections

2006 Boys Four-team Champions, Southern Durham

Most Valuable Player, Julian Gamble (Southern Durham)

Most Outstanding Player, Victor Davila (Starmount)

All-tournament team

All-tournament team
Stanley Okoye, Knightdale
DaQuan Joyner, Goldsboro
Tim Kornegay, Goldsboro
Ferdinand Morales, Starmount
Jamaal Washington, So. Durham

Most Outstanding Player: Victor Davila (Starmount)
Most Valuable Player: Julian Gamble (So. Durham)

Southern Durham 69, Starmount 52

Southern starts out on fire and it is 16-7 by the time the first quarter ends. The Rams picks it up but can't capitalize on several front end of 1 and 1 situations, going 2-6 from the line. Southern Durham goes on a 8-1 run to end the first half. Starmount is taking too many three attempts - nine while only making one.

At the half, the Spartans are up 17 behind 10 points from Washington and eight from Caleb Toler. Starmount is lead by Ferdinand Morales with 12 while Victor Davila is held to four points but seven rebounds.

Despite having their star Julian Gamble in foul trouble much of the game, Southern Durham just rolls along, leading by nineteen at the end of three. But Starmount goes on a 6-0 run behind a Davila three point play, a three pointer from Cody Spicer, 53-43.

Starmount gives all they have but Southern at full strength is just too much firepower. Gamble finishes with 13, Washington 17. Davila totals 23 points and 10 rebounds, Morales 18 points and 12 rebounds.

Girls Champions, all-tournament team selections

Wake Forest-Rolesville, 2006 girls champions

All-tournament team
Amy Dodd, Apex
Ashley Robinson, Smoky Mountain
Katelyn Bass, Wake Forest-Rolesville
Terrica Jones, Wake Forest-Rolesville
Kaili'shea Menendez, Wakefield

Most Outstanding Player - Kristen Hanzer, Wakefield
Most Valuable Player - Victoria Tanner, Wake Forest-Rolesville

Wake Forest-Rolesville 49, Wakefield 45 (girls title game)

These are two big strong girls teams. Wakefield opens up a five point lead early but two Victoria Tanner layups on some nice team passing gives the lead back to WFR. Katelyn Bass hits a layup that is answered by a
Kaila'shea Menendez three. Bass takes it right back at the defense and scores an off balance shot. First quarter ends, 15-13 WFR on top.

Both teams have found more scoring rhythm and are pushing the ball inside almost every play. WFR still holds a two point lead with three minutes to go to half. These are two of the most aggressive defense's I've seen in awhile. With 2:20 to go, Kathleen Slay picks up her third foul. Amelia Partin hits a three that cuts the gap to one point with under 30 secs to go, 23-22.

The game has stayed close through the third, two Victoria Tanner free throws give WFR a four point lead. Opening the fourth, WFR makes a great recovery for a score and is now up 36-29 with 6:28 to go in the game. WFR went up seven but gave up a three-point play to Kristen Hanzer to get the lead down to four. Terrica Jones to Tanner again, another bucket and the lead back to six at the four min mark. Jones hasn't been looking for her shot but she's more than made up for it feeding the post. Wakefield's Amelia Partin get fouled making a bucket and makes the free throw, 41-38. Wakefield is on a 5-0 run. Katelyn Bass throws up a rolling skyhook off the backboard for two, 43-38. At the 1:40 mark, Menendez connects from downtown with a three, 43-41. Tanner rebounds a Slay miss and Jeffreys drains a jumper in the lane, 45-41. Tanner hauls in another defensive rebound with 35 seconds to go. Hanzer fouls Jeffreys who makes both free throws. Jeffreys fouled again - makes both again.

After finishing second last year, Wake Forest-Rolesville takes the 2006 title.

WF-Rolesville 15 8 10 16 - 49
Wakefield - 13 9 7 16 - 45

WF-Rolesville -V. Tanner 14, K. Bass 12, K. Jeffreys 10, T. Jones 7, T. Kirby 6. Leading rebounders - V. Tanner 9, T. Jones 6. Assists leader - T. Jones 3.
Wakefield - K. hanzer 11, K. Evans 10, K. Menendez 8, A. Partin 6, K. Slay 6, S. McLean 2, C. Smith 2. Leading rebounders - K. Evans 8, K. Slay 6. Assists leader - Menendez 2.

St. Raymonds 65, Riverside 63

We had a long delay here due to some blood on the court - no major injury but it has just thrown off my schedule to write.

St. Raymonds has come out strong this game. With a 25 point 2nd quarter, they lead by nine at half. The Ravens are shooting 59% from the field and have been led by Daryl Bryant with 13 (5-6 on FG, including 2-3 from three point range) , Omari Lawrence (4 of 5 on field goals) and Kevin Parrom with five rebounds. Riverside got 11 from Justin Burton and nine from Carlos Sanford. Weslye Saunders has four rebounds.

Lawrence just picked up his fourth foul with 2 mins to go in the 3rd quarter. The Ravens are really packing down on Saunders in the paint. End of three, the lead is down to six. With three to go, Saunders makes a free throw to narrow the gap to three.

With 11.8 seconds to go, Saunders just made the first of two free throws. After a timeout, he makes the second to tie the game. The Ravens' Gerald Colds drives the lane and floats up a bucket - 01.8 seconds left (the photo above/right is Coles starting his drive to the hoop). Riverside calls timeout and once the players come back from the TO, St. Raymond's calls one as well.

Weslye Saunders runs the baseline and heaves a long baseball pass to right past the half court line to Carlos Sanford, who deftly gathers the ball and gets off a fairly decent shot but it is high and bounces off the backboard. Ravens win.

Riverside 15 19 12 17 - 63
St. Raymonds - 18 25 9 13 - 65

Riverside - J. Burton 21, C. Sanford 13, S. Evans 13, W. Saunders 10, H. Collins 3, C. Byrd 2. Leading rebounders - S. Evans 6, W. Saunders 5. Assist leader - four with one.

St. Raymonds - O. Lawrence 19, D. Bryant 15, G. Colds 11, D. Benbow 8, K. Parrom 6, L. McNeil 6. Leading rebounder - K. Parrom 7. Assist leader -three with two.

Knightdale 71, Goldsboro 65

Dijon Manns drains two three-pointer midway through the first quarter to take the lead back from Goldsboro. Knightdale leads 38-30 at halftime powered by Stanley Okoye (9 pts), Dijon Manns (9pts) and Nate Wilkins (8pt). Dequan Joyner tossed in 10 for Goldsboro.

Goldsboro keeps trying to feed the post to get Dequan Joyner more touches but Knightdale is fronting him and having another defender slack back (usually Marcus Jones) to deny the pass. Three times recently it has led to steals/loose balls and Knightdale scores. Joyner is going to get his points but the Knights want him to work hard for them.

Knightdale holds off a Cougar rally, 71-65. Knightdale got 16 points from Manns, 14 from Okoye and 12 from Wilkins. Goldsboro was led by Joyner with 22 and Kornegay with 14.

Goldsboro 18 12 14 21 - 65
Knightdale 18 20 16 17 - 71

Goldsboro - D. Joyner 22, T. Kornegay 14, T. Boone 8, E. McLean 6, J. Wellington 4, T. Hobbs 4, B. Best 3, K. McDuffie 2, A. Green 2. Leading rebounders - D. Joyner 5, T. Kornegay 4. Assist leader -B.Best 3 .
Knightdale - D. Manns 16, S. Okoye 14, N. Wilkins 12, A. Moffitt 8, R. Howell 6, M. Jones 6, D. Chineke 5, J. Braswell 4. Leading rebounders - S. Okoye 7, R. Howell 5 . Assist leader - A. Moffitt 4.

Notes from Michelle IV

• You no longer have to be registered to post a comment or question.

• About 10-15 photos per game will be posted after the tournament is over.

• One of the best things about having Kinston play in this event is having their sports editor Bryan Hanks covering the events. He is one of the most engaging and fun guys in this industry, not to mention an excellent writer. We've been friends for almost 10 years, shared family vacations and many laughs. Having him next to me cracking me up makes the day feel a lot shorter.

• How schools in the Carolinas missed Yorel Hawkins I have no idea. He's headed to Fairfield b/c the Wake coach who was following him joined that staff. He had Hawkins visit and he loved it all. I'm all for anyone getting a chance to play in college but I selfishly wish they'd stay local so we can see them play! Winthrop, UNCW, UNCA, Charlotte, you all should have been all over this kid.
  

Kinston 67, Broughton 62

Broughton led for virtually the entire first half as East Carolina-signee Brock Young leads the Capitals with 10 points. Broughton's biggest lead of the first half was five points (8-3), while Kinston's largest lead was a three-point cushion at 16-13 with 6:53 remaining in the first half. The Vikings (12-1) were led by Curtis Hines' seven points, while Miguel Starkey hit a pair of 3-pointers.

Brock Young led Broughton with 22, Kinston got 15 from Starkey and 16 from Hines.

Kinston 14 15 24 14 - 67
Broughton 13 19 10 20 - 62

Kinston - C. Hines 16, C. Starkey 15, D. Ingram 13, S. Croom 5, Q. Coples 4, T. Miller 2, M. Thompson 2, W. Coward 2. Leading rebounders - D. Ingram 6. Assist leaders - M. Starkey 2.

Broughton - B. Young 22, W. Aldridge 11, T. Howard 10, S. Mason 8, D. Randolph 4, L. Davis 3, C. Wright 2. Leading rebounders - T. Howard 5, W. Aldridge 5. Assist leaders - B. Young 4.

Hawkins enters GSK Tournament recordbooks

Single Game scoring records
54 – Michael Miller (Mitchell, S. Dak. vs. East Chapel Hill, 1997)
52 – Tasmin Mitchell (Denham Springs LA vs Wakefield, 2004)
46 – Penny Hardaway (Memphis Treadwell vs. Castle Dale, Utah, Emery County, 1989)
45 – Rodney Monroe (Hagerstown, Md., St. Maria Goretti vs. Enloe, 1986).
43 – Harold Thompson (Raeford Hoke vs. Enloe, 1978).
42 – Olujimi Mann (Santa Ana, Calif., Valley vs. Marietta, Ga., Lassiter, 1994)
41 – Brett Nelson (St. Albans, W. Va. vs. Hampton, Va., 1998)
41 – Luke Barnes (South Miami vs. Millbrook, 1995)
40 – Donald Williams (Garner vs. Stone County, Miss., 1990)
39 – Jovon Debnam (East Wake vs. South Miami, 1995)
39 – Jim Ramsey (Cary vs. Garner, 1975)
39 – Donald Williams (Garner vs. Springfield, Mass., Central, 1990)
39 - Yorel Hawkins (Apex vs Middle Creek, 2006)
(list extends down to everyone with a 30+ game)

TOP TOURNAMENT SCORERS
115 – Donald Williams (Garner, 1990)
103 – Rodney Monroe (Hagerstown, Md., Goretti, 1986).
101 – Michael Miller (Mitchell, S. Dak., 1997)
101 – Tasmin Mitchell (Denham Springs, 2004)
98 – Tim Thomas (Paterson, N. J., Catholic, 1995)
97 – Phil Ford (Rocky Mount, 1972)
96 – Phil Ford (Rocky Mount, 1973)
94 – Anfernee Hardaway (Memphis Treadwell, 1989)
93 - Yorel Hawkins (Apex, 2006)
(list extends down to everyone with a total over 60+ game)

Apex 67, Middle Creek 56

This match up features conference opponents from the same city, these teams probably know each other better than any in the tournament. Of course Yorel Hawkins got the first basket of the game. Apex leads after one, 15-13. A rebound and basket as the buzzer went off brought Middle Creek to within one of the Cougars at the half. Marcus Kitts has played well.

The Mustangs opened the second half with two Kip Kelley three-pointers and now lead 36-30. It has been a slow scoring quarter and ends with Apex up one, 39-38. Apex's Hawkins and Middle Creek's Garrias Adams trade three-pointers. Hawkins has a ton of points and two more baskets brings the lead to seven. Apex holds the lead and wins their first game of the tournament! Yorel Hawkins has been incredible - 18 points in the fourth quarter and 39 points overall, bringing his total to 93 points which is the 9th best three day total in tournament history.

Middle Creek 13 16 9 18 - 56
Apex 15 15 9 28 - 67

Middle Creek - G. Adams 25, M. Kitts 13, K. Kelley 10, S. Cook 4, M. Frongello 2 Leading rebounder - M. Kitts 14. Assist leader - G. Adams 4.

Apex - Y. Hawkins 39, A. Fiedler 16, S. Cook 4, M. Frongello 2, E. Carter 2.
Leading rebounder - . Assist leader -

Schedule/scores update

Wednesday, December 27, 2006:
11:00 a.m.: Game 1- Wake Forest-Rolesville 73, Smoky Mountain 45 (Girls)
12:40 p.m.: Game 2 - Riverside 67, Kinston 64 (8-Team Boys)
2:20 p.m.: Game 3 - St. Raymond 62, Middle Creek 52 (8-Team Boys)
4:00 p.m.: Game 4 - Wakefield 57, Apex 48 (Girls)
5:40 p.m.: Game 5 - Taft 68, Apex 41 (Eight-Team Boys)
7:20 p.m.: Game 6 - St. Benedict 74, Broughton 48 (8-Team Boys)
9:00 p.m.: Game 7 - American Chr. 81, Durham Mtn Zion 70 (Showcase #1)

Thursday, December 28, 2006:
11:00 a.m.: Game 8 - Apex 53, Smoky Mountain 42 (Girls)
12:40 p.m.: Game 9 - Broughton 73, Middle Creek 55 (8-Team Boys)
2:20 p.m.: Game 10 - Kinston 66, Apex 54 (8-Team Boys)
4:00 p.m.: Game 11 - Southern Durham 67, Goldsboro 59 (4-Team Boys)
5:40 p.m.: Game 12 - Starmount 62, Knightdale 56 (4-Team Boys)
7:20 p.m.: Game 13 - Taft 57, Riverside 39 (8-Team Boys)
9:00 p.m.: Game 14 - St. Benedict 70, St. Raymond's 67 (OT) (8-Team Boys)

Friday, December 29, 2006:
9:20 a.m.: Game 15 - Middle Creek vs. Apex (8-Team Boys)
11:00 a.m.: Game 16 - Broughton vs. Kinston (8-Team Boys)
12:40 p.m.: Game 17 - Goldsboro vs. Knightdale (4-Team Boys)
2:20 p.m.: Game 18 - Riverside vs. St. Raymond (3rd/4th Place 8-Team Boys)
4:00 p.m.: Game 19 - Wake Forest-Rolesville vs. Wakefield (Girls Championship)
5:40 p.m.: Game 20 - Southern Durham vs. Starmount (4-Team Boys Championship)
7:20 p.m.: Game 21 - Hope Christian vs. American Christian (Showcase Game #2)
9:00 p.m.: Game 22 - Taft vs. St. Benedict (8-Team Boys Championship)

St. Benedict 70, St. Raymond's 67 (OT)

It's a saintly battle in the final game of the night as Newark's St. Benedict Gray Bees against Ravens of St. Raymond's from the Bronx. This is one of those games with big bodies, hauling up and down the court. It's been fun to watch.

The Gray Bees opened hot but the Ravens outscored them in the 2nd quarter by five to take a one point lead to halftime. St. Raymond's Gerald Coles has hit two three-pointers, one from NBA range. St. Raymond' s Corey Stokes has hit three three-pointers and has four rebounds. Coles has 10 at the half for the Ravens, Stokes leads the Gray Bees with 13.

Stokes and Samardo Samuels have got the Gray Bees in control of the game and entire Benedict defense has picked it up a notch. Samuels has a scary block and just stood there over the player he blocked. He wasn't taunting really but he just looked so menacing. The Ravens scored just four points in the third. End of three, score is 45-34.

The Ravens will not let up and rally to cut the margin to three with 1:29 left. Daryl Bryant's layup makes it a one point game, 54-53. With 43 seconds left, a goal tend by Samuels on a Coles' drive gives the Ravens a tying bucket. And that's the way it ends for regulation, 55-55.

The Gray Bees strike first with a couple of buckets but a tKevin Parrom comes up big in overtime with two huge three-point shots, the last over the long outstretched arms of a defender. Raven's Lenny McNeil misses two free throws with 15 seconds left. With 13 seconds left, Samuels is fouled and makes one of two, 70-67 St. Benedicts. St. Raymond's was led by Coles with 27, Parrom with 15 and Bryant 14. St. Benedict got 24 from Samuels and 20 from Stokes.

St. Raymonds 12 18 4 21 12 - 67
St. Benedict 16 13 16 10 15 - 70

St. Raymonds - G. Coles 27, K. Parrom 15, D Bryant 14, O. Lawrence 6, L. McNeil 3, D. Benbow 2. Leading rebounder - D. Benbow 5. Assist leader - four with one.

St. Benedict - S. Samuels 24, C. Stokes 20, G. Echenique 8, D. McMillan 8, T. Jackson 5, Z. Rosen 5. Leading rebounder - C. Stokes 7, G. Echenique 6. Assist leader - three with one.

Notes from Michelle III

• With both State and UNC having home games, tonight was Coach K's turn to come over with his Duke contingent. That's 3-3 on the big local head coaches visiting the tournament. We've had more college coaches again tonight, Virginia Tech, Wingate and some other new names arrived today in their customary coaching garb.
  

• No overtime battles so far in the tournament. Once the back support got yanked out of balance and delayed a game. Sheesh, I spoke too soon. I jinxed it and the St. Benedict-St. Raymond's game just went into OT.
  

• Highest single scoring game by a player this tournament so far - Apex's Yorel Hawkins with 29 the first night. He tossed in 25 tonight, so his two day total is 54. The tournament records have a category for tournament scoring and the minimum for addition to the list is 60, Hawkins needs four more tomorrow to be added.

• The later the game, the more dunks. It always works out that way.

• Lowest scoring quarter so far - six points in the 2nd quarter by Riverside against Taft tonight, I wrote that too soon as St. Raymonds scored four points in the third quarter against St. Benedict tonight. Highest scoring quarter was 28 by Durham Mount Zion Wednesday night in a losing effort against American Christian.

• No one measured but St. Raymonds' Gerald Colds hit the longest three I've seen so far this tournament in this evening nightcap going on right now.

• Twice I said things in here that were changed by the final game. I'm not going to type anymore here - it is bad mojo!
  

Taft 57, Riverside 39

Taft's speed and reach is giving Riverside some trouble to start out. Larry Drew Jr again has been fun to watch. Riverside's Weslye Saunders has been a bright spot for the Pirates. At the half, Riverside has seven points from Saunders while Taft is led by Garrett Green with six.

Taftf leads by 11 at the end of three. Drew has made more dazzling passes in one game than we've seen all day and the Toreadors slowly edge further away, 50-28 with three to go. He isn't looking for his own shot but working to put everyone else on the scoreboard, be it Bryce Smith for threes in the corner or Green down the lane.

Taft pulls their starters and that's all she wrote. Green finished with 12, Toreador long distance shooter Bryce Smith with 13 points. Riverside got 13 from Justin Burton and Saunders with nine.

Riverside 8 6 11 14 - 39
Taft (CA) 15 9 12 21 - 57

Riverside - J. Burton 13, W. Saunders 9, S. Evans 8, H. Collins 3, C. Sanford 2, G. Hill 2, T. Ringer 2. Leading rebounders - W. Saunders 9. Assists leader - C. Byrd 2.

Taft - B. Smith 13, G. Green 11, B. Kamwa 10, J. Hawkins 9, L. Drew 8, T. Carter 4, E. Phelps 2. Leading rebounders - G. Green 7. Assists leader - L. Drew 4.

Starmount 62, Knightdale 56

As the first quarter is winding down, Starmount led 14-9 but let Knightdale get a bucket, missed two free throws and then fouled the Knights with three seconds left in the quarter. The Knights have the lead down to three as the quarter ends.

With the score is tied at 16, a three by Nate Wilkins gives Knightdale the lead as the Knights are on a 8-2 run. A bucket and 1-2 free throws by the Rams' star Victor Davila ties the game at 21. Knightdale's Stanley Okoye hits a bucket followed by a Malcolm Jones steal and layup as the Knights lead 23-19. Starmount rallies back with baskets from Shane Bryant and Ferdinand Morales, 23-23 with 1:27 to go. Rams take a 29-25 lead to half, led by Davila with 12. The Knights got seven from Okoye.

Knightdale has rebounded well in the third otherwise they could be down more than 37-32. The Knights go on a run to cut the lead to a bucket as the team exchanges treys. Matt Brown for Starmount hits a three as the third period ends, 44-39 Rams.

Halfway through the 4th, the Rams seem to find their rhythm again and open up a seven point lead on a Davila putback dunk. One minute later, the lead is down to four on two Knight quick buckets. Knightdale made them sweat but the Rams pulled it out.

Starmount 11 14 14 17 - 56
Knightdale 14 15 15 18 - 62

Starmount - F. Morales 23, V. Davila 16, K. Vasquez 8, S. Bryant 5, M. Houston 4, M. Wilmouth 3, M. Brown 3. Leading rebounders - V. Davila 10. Assists leader - C. Spicer 3.

Knightdale - S. Okoye 13, R. Howell 11, A. Moffitt 11, M. Jones 7, D. Chineke 6, N. Wilkins 5, McIntyre 3. Leading rebounder - R. Howell 7. Assists leader - McIntyre 2.

Southern Durham 67, Goldsboro 59

Southern Durham came out strong and leads by 14 at the end of the first quarter but Goldsboro comes back to narrow the gap to four as the half trickles down. Tim Kornegay has 13 to lead the Cougars in the first half while Julian Gamble has 15 points and six rebounds for the Spartans.

Start of the fourth the score is 50-44. Southern Durham holds off Goldsboro to win by eight as Julian Gamble finishes with 21 points and 14 rebounds. High scorer of the game is Goldsboro's Tim Kornegay with 24 points and five rebounds.

So. Durham 34 23 - 67
Goldsboro 30 29 - 59

So. Durham - J. Gamble 21, J. Washington 12, C. Toler 9, C. Hunt 9, J. Clayton 6, M. Wells 5, R. Williams 5. Leading rebounder - J. Gamble 14. Assist leaders - two with two.

Goldsboro - T. Kornegay 24, D. Joyner 10, J. Branch 6, E. McLean 5, B. Best 4, A. Green 4, K. McDuffie 2, T. Boone 2, T. Hobbs 2. Leading rebounder - T. Kornegay 5. Assist leaders - three with one.

Kinston 66, Apex 54

Halfway through the first quarter, the Vikings have a nine point lead powered by six from Quinton Coples. Yorel Hawkins is doing everything he can to keep the Cougars in the game but the lead is nine still.

Tim Plummer hits a three and then three the hard way, to cut into the lead. Coples makes a falling bucket and the enusing free throw to push the lead back to 29-20. Hawkins is working hard out there. At the half, Hawkins has 12 points, Plummer 10 for Apex. Kinston is lead by Coples with nine and Curtis Hines with eight. Eight players have scored for Kinston who leads 34-28.

Halfway through the 3rd, Apex has cut the lead to two, 38-36 behind four in a row from Hawkins, who already has 19 points. Apex's Andrew Fiedler drains a three and the lead is a mere single point. Fiedler rebounds a miss and Hawkins hits a jumper to take the lead 41-39. Miguel Starkey hits a key three to put Kinston back in front. At the end of three, Kinston holds 47-43 lead.

In the fourth, Kinstonstarted to pull away, opening a seven point lead, 50-43. Again Hawkins steps up, draining a long three, 50-46. Kinston responses and the lead is back to eight with 1:26 to go. Kinston wins as Coples finishes with 16. Despite a losing effort, Hawkins was tremendous and totaled 25 points.

Kinston 19 15 13 19 - 66
Apex 14 14 15 11 - 54

Kinston - Q. Coples 15, M. Starkey 14, C. Hines 12, D. Ingram 8, T. Miller 6, D. Quinerly 4, A. Whitefield 3, W. Coward 2. Leading rebounders - Q. Coples 5. Assist leaders - T. Miller 2.

Apex - Y. Hawkins 25, T. Plummer 17, S. Bedoe 7, A. Fielder 3, F. Moog 2. Leading rebounders -Y. Hawkins 6, T. Plummer 5. Assist leaders - two with one.

Broughton 73, Middle Creek 55

Broughton plays a solid first half getting good scoring from Brock Young and Dexter Randolph. Marcus Kitts is playing a strong game in the middle.

Middle Creek cut the lead to 10 with a minute to go in the third but all of Broughton seems to be stepping up as different players contribute. A three-pointer at the buzzer by Brock Young made the third-quarter score 60-46. Broughton and Middle Creek trade scores but the Mustangs can't cut in the lead enough and the Caps pull out this one, 73-55.

Middle Creek 14 10 22 9 - 55
Broughton 20 22 18 13 - 73

Middle Creek - M. Kitts 21, W. Jones 8, S. Cook 5, E. Carter 5, . Adams 4, K. Kelley 4, M. Frongello 3, B. Proulx 2. Leading rebounder - M. Kitts 5. Assist leader - two with one. Notes - W. Jones with two blocks (one of which to the right in the photo).

Broughton - B. Young 21, S. Mason 12, T. Howard 11, W. Aldridge 11, D. Randolph 9, L. Davis 4, L. Scott 2, C. Wright 2. L. Foxwell 1. Leading rebounder - B. Young 7. Assist leader - . Notes - B. Young 5. Notes: B.Young and T. Howard also had three steals.

Apex 53, Smoky Mountain 42

Smoky Mountain is without Cetera DeGraffinreid due to the elbow injury yesterday that we've posted about several times. However unlike yesterday, they've settled down and are playing well without her.

We've had the tournament first double fouls called as well. This is a rough and tumble game with a lot of floor burns. Lots of blocks, traps, 3/4 court pressure, offensive fouls. FHEW.

Amy Dodd and Kimberlee Durham have started well for Apex. End of first quarter, Apex is up four, 12-8. The second quarter Smoky Mountain battles hard and before you know it they have cut the lead to one point. With 15 seconds to go, the game is tied at 23. Smoky Mountain gets a last shot but misses. We'll start the second half with a clean slate. Amy Dodd and Durham have combined for 19 of the 23 Apex points this half. Smoky Mountain got nine from Ashley Robinson.

The second half opens with both teams with their track shoes still on. The scores was tied 27-27 when Apex got a bucket, then two straight layups by Dodd and Durham to push to a six point lead. Apex holds off a feisty SM team to win.

Smoky Mtn 8 15 8 11 - 42
Apex 12 11 16 14 - 53

Smoky Mtn - A. Robinson 21, A. Haggard 8, K. Woodard 7, B. Anders 4, N. Junaluska 2. Leading rebounder - A. Robinson 4. Assist leader - L. Brown 2.

Apex - K. Durham 21, A. Dodd 16, A. Miller 5, M. Greene 4, S. Elchook 4, D. Higgins 3. Leading rebounder-A. Dodd 7. Assist Leader - K. Durham 2. Notes - A. Dodd with five steals.

Wednesday final scores, Thursday schedule

Wednesday, December 27, 2006:
11:00 a.m.: Game 1- Wake Forest-Rolesville 73, Smoky Mountain 45 (Girls)
12:40 p.m.: Game 2 - Riverside 67, Kinston 64 (8-Team Boys)
2:20 p.m.: Game 3 - St. Raymond 62, Middle Creek 52 (8-Team Boys)
4:00 p.m.: Game 4 - Wakefield 57, Apex 48 (Girls)
5:40 p.m.: Game 5 - Taft 68, Apex 41 (Eight-Team Boys)
7:20 p.m.: Game 6 - St. Benedict 74, Broughton 48 (8-Team Boys)
9:00 p.m.: Game 7 - American Chr. 81, Durham Mtn Zion 70 (Showcase #1)

Thursday, December 28, 2006:
11:00 a.m.: Game 8 - Smoky Mountain vs. Apex (Girls)
12:40 p.m.: Game 9 - Middle Creek vs. Broughton (8-Team Boys)
2:20 p.m.: Game 10 - Kinston vs. Apex (8-Team Boys)
4:00 p.m.: Game 11 - Southern Durham vs. Goldsboro (4-Team Boys)
5:40 p.m.: Game 12 - Knightdale vs. Starmount (4-Team Boys)
7:20 p.m.: Game 13 - Riverside vs. Taft (8-Team Boys)
9:00 p.m.: Game 14 - St. Raymond vs. St. Benedict (8-Team Boys)

American Chr. 81, Durham Mtn Zion 70

The start of the second quarter of this exhibition game has American Christian leading Durham Mount Zion by seven. The score could be much higher but there have been a lot of missed layups. The pace picks up some but it is still a lot of up and down action. Tyreke Evans is in foul trouble and American Christian's offense doesn't run as well without him. Still at the half, the Eagles lead by five and Michael Glover has 10 points. DMZ is lead by Tracy Smith with 13.

Evan's presence back on the court has energized American Christian who open the third on a 13-2 run and lead by 16. A huge dunk by Glover pushes the score up to 52-33 with just three minutes gone in the third quarter. Glover has two more monster dunks (the third one to the right).

With 1:41 to go, the lead is down to nine but Michael Truitt makes a great off balance bucket falling to the ground to push the lead back to double digits. Mount Zion starts fouling to stretch out the game but it isn't enough as American Christian wins by 11.

Durham Mount Zion 10 18 14 28 - 70
American Christian 19 14 23 25 - 81

Durham Mount Zion - T. Smith 26, M. Foster 16, L. Daniels 9, B. Rhodes 5, G. Robinson 5, N. Alleyne 3, L. McCoy 3, A. Talley 3. Leading rebounder - T. Smith 5. Assist leader - L. McCoy 2.

American Christian - M. Glover 28, T. Evans 14, A. Tarver 12, M. Relphorde 10, O. Griffin 5, K. Ellis 4, M. Truitt 4, J. Spivey 2, H. Rahman 2. Leading rebounder - two with three . Assist leader - T. Evans 3.

Thursday schedule set

Since this final game tonight is an exhibition game, all the games in the 'bracketed' tournaments are complete and we know who will play when tomorrow:

11:00 a.m.: Game 8 - Smoky Mountain vs. Apex (Girls 3rd place game)
12:40 p.m.: Game 9 - Middle Creek vs. Broughton (8-Team Boys)
2:20 p.m.: Game 10 - Kinston vs. Apex (8-Team Boys)
4:00 p.m.: Game 11 - Southern Durham vs. Goldsboro (4-Team Boys)
5:40 p.m.: Game 12 - Knightdale vs. Starmount (4-Team Boys)
7:20 p.m.: Game 13 - Riverside vs. Taft (8-Team Boys)
9:00 p.m.: Game 14 - St. Raymond vs. St. Benedict (8-Team Boys)

St. Benedict 74, Broughton 48

St. Benedict opens up on a 17-4 run but Broughton weathers the storm and hangs around. With 2:22 left in the first half, Brock Young is fouled and makes the free throw to complete a three-point play and all of a sudden the score 34-26, just an eight point lead.

That didn't last long as the halftime score was 42-28. The Gray Bees just had too much firepower tonight despite a gritty effort by Broughton.

Brock Young led the Caps with 16. St. Benedict was led by Corey Stokes with 21 points and Samardo Samuels with 20.

Broughton 15 13 12 8 - 48
St Benedict 24 18 23 9 - 74

Broughton - B. Young 16, W. Aldridge 10, S. Mason 8, T. Howard 7, L. Davis 3, D. Ellis 2, D. Randolph 2. Leading rebounder - S. Mason 8. Leading assist - B. Young 5.

St Benedict - C. Stokes 21, S. Samuels 20, T. Jackson 9, G. Echenique 8, D. McMillan 6, J. Wilson 5, Z. Rosen 4, A. Alexis 1. Leading rebounder - C. Stokes 6. Leading assist - D. McMillan 2.

Notes from Michelle II

• More coaches have piled in - UNC, Duke, State, Villanova, Florida, Barton, VCU, UNCG, Fairfield and more have coaches here. We've got recruiting experts like Bob Gibbons and Brick Oettinger here as well. Brick is always one of the first people here - we have a running joke because he beats me here the first morning of the tournament almost every time and is waiting for me to pick up his press release. He's always a pleasure to have here.
  

• The Apex girls basketball team have black tshirts with the pink breast cancer symbol and 'Stay Strong' written on them. A small KY is nestled in the loop of the symbol for Kay Yow. A very nice touch and show of respect by these young ladies.
  

• I'd be surprised to see Smoky Mountain's Cetera DeGraffenreid play tomorrow. Her elbow injury looked painful and I know she was crushed over it. I spoke with her and her family after the game briefly and they were off to get more medical attention. Strained ligaments but not a break is suspected. Let's hope this is something that can heal quickly and doesn't affect the rest of their season too much. UPDATE: DeGraffenreid has a ruptured bursa sac in her elbow and can expect to be out for two weeks. Overall that's good news and we wish her a speedy recovery.
  

• Once things slow down, we'll post about 10-20 photos from each game on the site. So bear with us while the tournament is underway - we are here from 10am until 11pm each of the three days - and we'll get them all up as soon as we can!

• There are two roster errors in the program (so far) on the Broughton roster and we deeply regret that. Davis Ellis should be David Ellis and Sam Mason is 6-10, not 6-1. Mistakes happen but that isn't a good enough excuse and we are definitely sorry.

• Several weeks ago Taft's coach Derrick Taylor told the LA Times that he had resigned effective the end of the season because he was tired of dealing with complaining parents. Seems he reconsidered after discussions and will be back. Through out the planning process for the tournament and the program, he's been nice to deal with so we are happy he is staying put.
  

Taft 68, Apex 41

Taft from Woodland Hills California has the longest trip of the year honors and is facing Apex, who just drove about 10-15 minutes on over to the gym here at State. Larry Drew Jr opens the game with a three-pointer, quickly answered by Apex's Scott Bedoe. Back and forth, Taft hits three more threes and edges out to a 14-8 lead.

A 23-4 run by Taft opens up a twenty-three point lead as Larry Drew Jr is 5-5 from three-point land.

Yorel Hawkins won't let Apex doesn't give up but the Toreadors just have too many weapons and the points start piling up. About the six minute mark in the fourth, most of the starters for Taft head to the bench, up 24.

Apex 12 11 9 9 - 41
Taft 16 25 11 16 - 68

Apex - Y. Hawkins 29, S. Bedoe 5, T. Plummer 5, S. Murphy 2. Leading rebounders: Y. Hawkins 7. Leasing assists: three with one.

Taft - L. Drew 17, B. Smith 14, E. Phelps 8, G. Green 7, D. Brumfield 7, B. Kamwa 4, J. Hawkins 4, T. Carter 4, J. Boykins 3,. Leading rebounders - D. Brumfield 5. Leading assists: five with one.

Wakefield 57, Apex 48

As Wakefield slides under to make an easy layup and open up a seven point lead (23-16), Apex calls a timeout to regroup at the 4:08 mark. A ten point second quarter doesn't help the Lady Cougars and by halftime, it is 31-23 Wakefield. Wakefield is using their post players very effectively, especially Kathleen Slay.

Kaila'shea Menendez leads Wakefield with 11 points, Slay has eight points and four rebounds. Apex got six points from Amy Dodd and five from Kimberlee Durham.

Slay and Menendez pick up where they left off but Apex does find their range, hitting some outside shots. Sheronda McLean has started putting on a show with some ankle breaking moves. Wakefield goes on to win.

Wakefield 14 17 11 15 - 57
Apex 13 10 10 15 - 48

Wakefield - K. Menendez 15, K. Slay 14, K. Hanzer 11, S. McLean 8, K. Evans 7, A. Partin 2. Leading Rebounders - K. Slay 7, K. Evans 4, K. Menendez 4. Leading Assists - three with 1.

Apex - A. Dodd 15, K. Durham 11, D. Higgins 8, S. Elchook 6, A. Miller 4, C. Leto 2, E. Tasler 2. Leading Rebounders - A. Dodd 4. Leading Assists - two with 1.

St. Raymonds 62, Middle Creek 52

It was close early on but St. Raymonds began to pull away in the 3rd as the baskets stopped dropping as easily for Middle Creek. Middle Creek is still battling though.

Middle Creek cuts the lead to eight, then the Ravens pushes it back out. Kip Kelley hits a three-pointer at the two minute mark to get the lead back down to eight, 59-51 but Daryl Bryant immediate takes the ball to the hoop for the bucket and one - three the old fashioned way. And that was pretty much all it.

Middle Creek 12 16 12 12 - 52
St. Raymonds 14 17 18 13 - 62

Middle Creek - G. Adams 16, K. Kelley 12, M. Kitts 11, S. Cook 11, W. Jones 2. Leading rebounder - M. Kitts 4. G. Adams 4. Leading assists - M. Kitts 3.

St. Raymonds -G. Colds 16, D. Benbow 14, L. McNeil 12, D. Bryant 10, J. Rivers 4, O. Lawrence 4. D. Daley 2. Leading rebounder - O. Lawrence 5. Leading assists - O. Lawrence 1.

Notes from Michelle I

• We've got lots of college coaches here... UNC and Elon womens' coaches early on, now Kentucky, Wake Forest, Pfieffer, State and others.
  

• Due to traffic issues, it took Smoky Mountain's girls team nearly six hours to get here.

• Several teams practiced in the Dean Dome yesterday - a thrill for them. Parents who traveled with them got to ogle all the banners and Carolina lore.

• Playing here on the N.C. State women's basketball floor always reminds me to think good thoughts for State coach Kay Yow as she is battling breast cancer.

• St. Raymonds has some seriously bright orange uniforms. Yow.

• The comment feature is on so if you have a question or comments, go ahead and post them!
  

Riverside 67, Kinston 64

Quinton Coples and the Kinston Vikings are in a dog fight with the Riverside Pirates. The fast paced game has a lot of up and down action.

Coples leads Kinston with 10 points and six rebounds. Bo Ingram has seven points as well. Justin Burton has 11 points for the Pirates. Sidney Evans contributed six. Halftime - Riverside 31, Kinston 29.

Riverside holds a slight lead as the clock ticks under one minute and Kinston starts to foul. 15 seconds to go, 65-61 Riverside. Miguel Starkey drains a three-pointer with 3.7 seconds to go and we have a 65-64 game on our hands. Kinston fouls but Riverside makes their free throws and holds on for the win.

Riverside 17 14 16 20 - 67
Kinston 15 14 18 17 - 64

Riverside - J. Burton 17, S. Evans 11, W. Saunders 10, C. Sanford 9, G. Hill 7, H. Collins 4, C. Byrd 2. Leading Rebounders: J. Burton 3, W. Saunders 3. Leading Assists: J. Burton 2.

Kinston: Q. Coples 18, D. Ingram 15, C. Hines 12, M. Starkey 9, R. Bullock 6, A. Sutton 2. J. Miller 2. Leading Rebounders: Q. Coples 7, D. Ingram 4. Leading Assists: M. Starkey 3.

Wake Forest-Roles. 73, Smoky Mountain 45

Smoky Mountain's Cetera DeGraffenreid started hot with five points in three minutes but that was cut short as she landed hard on her elbow and left the game. Ashley Robinson helped pick up the slack with 10 points but Wake Forest-Rolesville turned up the intensity and started scoring in bunches, opening up a 17 point halftime lead.

The second half has been competitive but Smoky Mountain without DeGraffenreid just can't keep up with WFR and the lead extends to 30 in the third quarter. DeGraffenreid isn't even on the bench anymore as she sits with the trainers in the corner, her arm in a sling.

Wake Forest Rolesville: T. Jones 18, K. Jefferys 11, K. Bass 9, V. Tanner 9, B. Leach 7, T. Kirby 5, K. Hartsfield 4, S. Wollett 4, R. Bruce 4, L. Coggin 2. Leading Rebounder: K. Bass 6. V. Tanner 5. Leading Assist: K. Jeffreys 3.

Smoky Mountain: A. Robinson 10, J. Carpenter 7, A. Haggard 6, C. DeGraffenreid 5, N. Junaluska 4, C. Cucumber 4, L. Brown 2, K. Woodard 2. Leading Rebounder: K. Woodard 3. Leading Assist:A. Robinson 2, N. Junaluska 2.

Tournament Schedule

(Home Team Listed First; Away Team Second)

Wednesday, December 27, 2006:
11:00 a.m.: Game 1- Wake Forest-Rolesville vs. Smoky Mountain (Girls)
12:40 p.m.: Game 2 - Riverside vs. Kinston (8-Team Boys)
2:20 p.m.: Game 3 - Middle Creek vs. St. Raymond (8-Team Boys)
4:00 p.m.: Game 4 - Wakefield vs. Apex (Girls)
5:40 p.m.: Game 5 - Apex vs. Taft (Eight-Team Boys)
7:20 p.m.: Game 6 - Broughton vs. St. Benedict (8-Team Boys)
9:00 p.m.: Game 7 - Mount Zion vs. American Christian (Showcase #1)

Thursday, December 28, 2006:
11:00 a.m.: Game 8 - Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 4 (Girls)
12:40 p.m.: Game 9 - Loser Game 3 vs. Loser Game 6 (8-Team Boys)
2:20 p.m.: Game 10 - Loser Game 2 vs. Loser Game 5 (8-Team Boys)
4:00 p.m.: Game 11 - Southern Durham vs. Goldsboro (4-Team Boys)
5:40 p.m.: Game 12 - Knightdale vs. Starmount (4-Team Boys)
7:20 p.m.: Game 13 - Winner Game 2 vs. Winner Game 5 (8-Team Boys)
9:00 p.m.: Game 14 - Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 6 (8-Team Boys)

Friday, December 29, 2006:
9:20 a.m.: Game 15 - Loser Game 9 vs. Loser Game 10 (8-Team Boys)
11:00 a.m.: Game 16 - Winner Game 9 vs. Winner Game 10 (8-Team Boys)
12:40 p.m.: Game 17 - Loser Game 11 vs. Loser Game 12 (4-Team Boys)
2:20 p.m.: Game 18 - Loser Game 13 vs. Loser Game 14 (3rd/4th Place 8-Team Boys)
4:00 p.m.: Game 19 - Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 4 (Girls Championship)
5:40 p.m.: Game 20 - Winner Game 11 vs. Winner Game 12 (4-Team Boys Championship)
7:20 p.m.: Game 21 - Hope Christian vs. American Christian (Showcase Game #2)
9:00 p.m.: Game 22 - Winner Game 13 vs. Winner Game 14 (8-Team Boys Championship)