2020 United Bank Holiday Invitational

 

 

Championship Recap & All - Tournament Team

 

The 22nd Annual United Bank Holiday Invitational is an event that brings together some of the biggest players & names in Girls Prep Basketball to Myrtle Beach to see who will walk away with the Championship trophy.  This year’s United Bracket was cut in half from 16 teams to 8 because of the pandemic that we are experiencing but it did not keep away some of the top talent in the country.  I will give you an inside look at the Championship game along with the 3rd place game & round it out with the All - Tournament team.

 

Championship

Lake Highland Prep (FL) - 36

New Hope Academy (MD) - 33

 

Lake Highland Prep made it 2 Championships in a row by taking down New Hope Academy by 3 Pts in a defensive battle with some very talented players on both rosters. New Hope held a 22 - 14 Halftime lead and looked strong heading into the locker room behind 6 Pts apiece by 2021 - Forward - Maria Gakdeng & 2021 - Guard - Reniya Jones (2 - 3Ptrs). Defense was the name of the game for Lake Highland Prep, they were able to hold New Hope to only 11 Pts in the entire 2nd half and got 11 Pts including 3 - 3Ptrs from Tournament MVP - 2022 - Guard - Stefanie Ingram (14 Pts Total).  New Hope Academy held a 32 - 31 lead with 4:53 remaining in the 4th period following consecutive baskets by 2022 - Guard - Kennedy Fauntleroy. 2021 - Guard - Chalon Miles - would add another Free Throw to make it 33 - 31 New Hope with 4:33 remaining in the game, they did not expect that to be the last points they would score in the game. Lake Highland Prep - 2023 - Guard - Eleecia Carter - knocked down 3 Free throws with 4:24 Remaining to give them the lead for good. The last 4 Minutes of the game could be used as a Defensive instructional video by both teams, Stefanie Ingram came up with 2 blocks in transition that prevented crucial opportunities for New Hope. With 20 seconds left on the clock New Hope Academy was able to get the ball back down 1 Point, they worked the ball to the rim but the layup by Reniya Jones was off and Lake Highland sealed the Final score with a bucket by 2022 - Forward - Nyla Harris - as time expired. Outstanding game by both teams that is very indicative of what the United Bank Holiday invitational is all about


CLICK LINK FOR CHIP GAME HIGHLIGHTS

3rd Place Game

St. Francis HS (GA) - 57

Camden HS (SC) - 50

 

St. Francis held off Camden long enough to secure the 3rd place trophy in the 2020 United Bank Holiday Invitational, it was a hard fought battle and Camden did not make it easy. At halftime St. Francis held a 29 - 26 lead but Camden - 2024 - Wing - Joyce Edwards - was threatening to take over the game all by herself, she had 14 Pts and 12 rebounds and was diving all over the place to keep her team in the game. St. Francis was led by a balance attack from 2023 - Guard - Erica Moon (8 Pts), 2021 - Guard - Mia Moore (6 Pts) and 2021 - Guard - Morgan Harper (5 Pts).  The 2nd half was more of the same with St.. Francis only turning the ball over 4 times and limiting Joyce Edwards to 4 pts by doubling her at times and making other players take tough Shots.  The game was much closer than the 7 Point margin of victory would suggest, Joyce Edwards led Camden with 18 Points, 20 Rebounds, 5 Blocks and 5 Steals. St. Francis was led by that balanced attack all game, Senior Guard Morgan Harper finished with 12 Points and 3 steals, Sophomore Guard Erica Moon contributed 16 Points and 8 steals. St. Francis - Senior - Guard - Mia Moore - Finished her final game at this tournament with a double/double - 10 Points - 10 Rebounds - 6 Assists and 2 Steals

 

All - Tournament Team

 

MVP - 2022 - Guard - Stefanie Ingram - Lake Highland Prep (FL) - Averaged 9.7 Pts, 4 Assists, 3.3 Steals in leading her team to consecutive Championships at this event (UCF Verbal Commit) Made some outstanding defensive plays to preserve the Championship game victory.

 

MOP - 2024 - Wing - Joyce Edwards - Camden HS (SC) - Lead the event with averages of 21 Points and 19 Rebounds, added 3.3 Assist, 3 Steals and 2.7 Blocks per game, the all out effort and drive to win made this the most outstanding individual performance in my time covering this event.

 

• 2022 - Nyla Harris - Lake Highland Prep (FL) - Averaged 11.3 Points and 12.6 Rebounds per game as she helped her team to a 7 - 0 record in this event over the last 2 years.

 

• 2021 - Kayla Blackshear - Lake Highland Prep (FL) - Averaged 10.3 Points, 7.6 Rebounds and 2 Steals per game in helping Lake Highland to overcome adversity throughout this event. (Alabama Signee)

 

• 2022 - Guard - Kennedy Fauntleroy - New Hope Academy (MD) - Averaged 11.3 Points, 3.6 Assists, 6 Steals per game inleading her team to a Championship appearance, one of the top Lead Guards in her class nationally.

 

• 2021 - Forward - Maria Gakdeng - New Hope Academy (MD) - Averaged 11.3 Points and 11.6 Rebounds and was a presence in the lane on both sides of the floor in leading her team to a 2 -1 Tournament record (Boston College Signee) 

 

• 2021 - Guard - Mia Moore - St. Francis HS (GA) - Averaged 14.6 Points, 6.6 Rebounds, 3.6 Assists and 5.7 Steals in leading her team to a 3rd place finish (Miss State Signee) 

 

• 2023 - Guard - Erica Moon - St. Francis HS (GA) - Averaged 14.6 Points, 3 Assists and 5.7 Steals in making her claim as a player to watch in her class Nationally..

 

• 2021 - Wing - Malia Fisher - Hebron Christian Academy (GA) - Averaged 18.6 Points, 6 rebounds and 3.3 Assists per game in leading her team to the 5th place finish (Rice Signee)

 

• 2021 - Guard - Nicole Azar - Hebron Christian Academy (GA) - Averaged 19 points, 3.6 Assists and 3.3 steals per game, Knocked down 9 3-Ptrs throughout the event (Samford Signee)

 

• 2022 - Guard - Alexia Grant - 1st Baptist School (SC) - Averaged 15.5 Points, 5 rebounds and 2 steals, 1 of the top combo guard prospects in SC class.

 

Honorable Mention

 

• 2021 - Guard - Chalon Miles - New Hope Academy (MD) (Towson Signee)

• 2023 - Guard - Amiyah Ferguson - Northwood Academy (SC)

• 2024 - Forward - Seini Hicks - Cannon School (NC)
• 2023 - Forward - Trynce Taylor - St. Francis (GA)
• 2021 - Guard - Reniya Jones - New Hope Academy (MD) (UTA Signee)
• 2024 - Guard - Alayah Birch - Northwood Academy (SC)
• 2023 - Wing - Imani Wyatt - Camden HS (SC)
• 2021 - Guard - Carly Fahey - Hebron Christian Academy (GA) (WCU Signee)