By By KEVIN TRAVIS
Sports Editor
YEATESVILLE – The annual WDN Holiday Tournament seems to make the stars shine just a little brighter.
In previous years, players like Washington’s Calvin Daniels, Plymouth’s Angelo Sharpless and Terra Ceia’s Mychal Parker (now with The Miller School) seemed to take over games, dominating at times and leading their teams to championships. Each of those players was versatile, able to throw down a dunk or sink a 3-pointer.
There will be plenty more stars on display in the 30th annual WDN/PCS Phosphate Holiday Tournament, which tips off Saturday at Northside High School. That doesn’t include the Division I-caliber players from The Miler School, Stevens Prep Academy and South Central, who will strut their stuff during a pair of showcase games on Friday and Saturday.
“You’re going to see a lot of talent,” Keith Boyd, Northside’s athletic director and the tournament director, said.
Each of the eight teams participating in this year’s tournament has players who can score in bunches, making each game a treat.
In the tournament’s first game, Mattamuskeet takes on Terra Ceia. The Knights are long and lanky. Players like Kiam Boerema, Thaddeus Van Essendelft and Blake Butcher are solid. For Mattamuskeet, four players are averaging in double figures. Leading the way for the Lakers are Davonte Green (18.0), David Grays (15.0), Emauri Byrd (13.5) and Saquon Cunningham (13.5).
Pamlico will take on Creswell in the second game. The Hurricanes can get instant offense from Travis King, Shane Whitfield, Anthony McCray and Trevon Boone. The Tigers are led by the likes of Gary Blount (12.3), Danvonte Phelps (10.3) and Justin Phelps (9.3).
The Washington Pam Pack and Southside Seahawks will clash in the third game. Taraja Langley (20.8) has proven to be one of the area’s leading scorers with his ability to slash to the basket, while Brandon Tripp (16.4) and Chris Albritton (9.8) are also threats. Southside uses balance and athleticism to its advantage, getting contributions from such players as Curtis Myers (12.0), Jordan Benston (9.0) and Willie Ruffin (8.7).
The Northside Panthers and East Carteret Mariners meet in the final game of the tournament on the first night. Isaiah McCullor (14.6), Damount Harvey (8.8), Nathan Cahoon (8.4) and Calvin Cox (8.2) are all proven scorers. East Carteret is led by Matt Collins, while Tre Godette , Christian Lewis and David Cahoon provide solid support.
Look for more information on the games in the upcoming issues of the WDN.
30th Annual Washington Daily News/PCS Phosphate Tournament
Northside High School
Friday, Dec. 18
Showcase Game
9 p.m. – Miller School (Va.) vs. Stevens Prep Academy
Saturday, Dec. 19
1 p.m. – Mattamuskeet vs. Terra Ceia
2:30 p.m. – Pamlico vs. Creswell
4 p.m. – Southside vs. Washington
5:30 p.m. – Northside vs. East Carteret
Showcase Game
7 p.m. – Miller School (Va.) vs. South Central
Monday, Dec. 21
3 p.m. – TBA
4:30 p.m. – TBA
6 p.m. – TBA
7:30 p.m. – TBA
Tuesday, Dec. 22
3 p.m. – TBA
4:30 p.m. – TBA
6 p.m. – TBA
7:30 p.m. – TBA
Showcase Teams
Miller School (Va.) Mavericks – coach Scott Willard
Stevens Prep Academy Golden Griffins – coach Darryl Harris
South Central Falcons – coach Chris Cherry
Tournament Teams
Northside Panthers – coach Mike Proctor, Class 1-A Four Rivers Conference
Southside Seahawks – coach Dwayne White, Class 1-A Four Rivers Conference
Washington Pam Pack – coach Joe Lawrence, Class 3-A Coastal Conference
Terra Ceia Knights – coach Roger Klaassen, NCISAA Class 1-A Tarheel Independent Conference
Mattamuskeet Lakers – coach Melvin Blount, Class 1-A Tideland Conference
Creswell Tigers – coach Wayne Rodgers, Class 1-A Tideland Conference
Pamlico Hurricanes – coach Earl Sadler Jr., Class 1-A Coastal Plains Conference
East Carteret Mariners – coach Billy Anderson, Class 1-A Coastal Plains Conference