Several Savannah area high school basketball teams are prepping for post-Christmas tournaments this week. Let’s take a look at some of the notable tournaments including those teams.
DAYTONA MAINLAND CHRISTMAS SHOOTOUT (December 27-29)
WHERE: Daytona, Florida
LOCAL TEAM(S): Windsor Forest (7-3)
The Knights are ranked No. 8 in Class 2A by Kyle Sandy this week. They’ll head south to play in the three-day Daytona Mainland Post-Christmas Shootout beginning on Tuesday, December 27. WF (7-3) opens with Boyd Anderson (10-3) out of Lauderdale Lakes, Florida before matching up with Mainland (8-2) on Wednesday and Orlando Christian Prep (7-1) on Thursday.
ST. ANDREW’S SCHOOL HOLIDAY SHOWCASE (December 28-30)
WHERE: Savannah, Georgia
LOCAL TEAM(S): St. Andrew’s (9-0), Johnson (9-2), Groves (5-5)
A loaded field comes to Savannah to play in the inaugural St. Andrew’s School Holiday Showcase Tournament beginning on Wednesday. St. Andrew’s (9-0) is the defending GIAA state champion while King’s Ridge (6-3) enters ranked No. 2 in Class 1A DI and Johnson (9-2) comes in ranked No. 2 in Class 3A.
Ponte Vedra (8-1) is ranked No. 5 in Florida’s Class 6A, according to MaxPreps. The Sharks play King’s Ridge on Wednesday, Johnson on Thursday and St. Andrew’s on Friday. Two of Savannah’s top players will be on the court during the tournament, although they won’t be matching up against one another.
SAS senior Zyere Edwards is averaging 23.1 points, 2.2 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 4.1 steals per game. SCJ’s senior, Antonio Baker, is averaging 23.5 points, 7.6 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 2.7 steals per game. Here’s a look at the complete schedule for the three-day showcase.
WEDNESDAY
4:00 – King’s Ridge vs. Ponte Vedra
6:00 – St. Andrew’s vs. Augusta Prep
THURSDAY
2:00 – Groves vs. Loganville
4:00 – Augusta Prep vs. King’s Ridge
6:00 – Ponte Vedra vs. Johnson
FRIDAY
2:00 – Augusta Prep vs. Loganville
4:00 – King’s Ridge vs. Groves
6:00 – St. Andrew’s vs. Ponte Vedra
NEW SMYRNA BEACH NEW YEAR’S SHOOTOUT (December 28-30)
WHERE: Smyrna Beach, Florida
LOCAL TEAM(S): Jenkins (5-4)
Jenkins (5-4) opens up the three-day shootout with a game against undefeated Colonial out of Orlando. The Grenadiers (9-0) and Warriors tip-off at 4 p.m. on Wednesday. HVJ then plays Yulee on Thursday (1 p.m.) and Deltona on Friday at noon.
CAROLINA INVITATIONAL (December 28-30)
WHERE: Charleston, South Carolina
LOCAL TEAM(S): Savannah Country Day (2-5), Islands (1-7)
Played at 12 venues across the city of Charleston, the 12th annual Carolina Invitational features 54 Varsity Boy’s Teams from around the country, including Savannah Country Day and Islands. Both the Hornets and Sharks will play in the Battery Bracket. Over the last 11 years, the CI has featured teams from: The Carolinas, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois, Canada and Australia.
Country Day (2-5) opens up with Crescent at 5:15 p.m. on Wednesday while Islands (1-7) plays at 7:45 p.m. against Cathedral Academy. Both games will be played at Cathedral Academy (3790 Ashley Phosphate Road).
LEE COUNTY ROUNDBALL CLASSIC (December 28-30)
WHERE: Lee County, Georgia
LOCAL TEAM(S): Savannah High (9-3)
The Bluejackets (9-3) will play in the 12-team tournament and will open up against Miami-Jackson at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday. Savannah High is ranked No. 9 in Class 1A DI this week.
FOLLOW Travis Jaudon on Twitter/Instagram @JaudonSports. Email him at travisLjaudon@gmail.com.
PHOTO CREDIT: Social media pages of Zyere Edwards & Coach Michael Jaudon
Optim Orthopedics supports Benedictine Military School, Calvary Day School, Richmond Hill High School, Savannah Country Day, South Effingham High School, and St. Vincent's athletics. Benedictine Military School's team doctor is Dr. David Sedory. Dr. David Palmer is the team doctor for Calvary Day School, South Effingham, and Richmond Hill. Savannah Country Day and St. Vincent's team doctor is Dr. Thomas Alexander. Remember, Optim Orthopedics gets you back into the game.
