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.
  

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)

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!
  

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.
  

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!
  

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)