The Knights capped off 2009 and an impressive early season start with winning the Piggly Wiggly Roundball Classic in Charleston, SC. They beat St. Johns in a tight 55-54 OT win, making them the first champion from Georgia since East Hall in 2004 and only the third Georgia team to win since the tournament began in 1993 (Berkmar-2002).
MVP Davonta White once again led the Knights, scoring 22 points and garnering this years MVP. He waas joined on the all-tournament team by teammate Vincent Bailey, who finished with six points but played well throughout the event. St. Johns Chris Martin led all scorers with 25 and was selected as the MOP of this years tournament.
2009 All Tournament Team: Frank Milian - Our Savior New American
Bruce Haynes - Pinewood Prep, Naji Pasha - Wando, D'Montre Edwards - West Ashley
Jamar Gillespie - Ridge View
Denzel Myers - North Charleston, RJ Slawson - Fort Dorchester, Charles Perry - East Hall
Julian Debose - St. John's
Vincent Bailey - Centennial
Matt Kennedy - West Ashley - MVP Rotary Bracket
Tom Daly - Sturt - Most Outstanding Rotary Bracket
Devonta White - Centennial - MVP CIS
Chris Martin - St. John's - Most Outstanding CIS
Beach Ball Classic
Columbia, who won their three previous games by an average of 3.3 points, fell short to Bishop Gorman (NV) in the BBC championship. Playing without nationally rated sophomore, Shabazz Muhammed and one other starter due to injury, Bishop Gorman was able to navigate their way through the BBC field and 54-52 win in the finals.
Gorman was led by quick MVP Johnathan Lloyd with 17 points, with two others scoring in double figures for the Gaels. Anson Winder had 15 points and Taylor Sencer added 11. MOP Jershon Cobb was the lone Columbia player in double figures with 20 points.
Wheeler won the fifth place game by defeating Alexander Hamilton (WI) 75-65. The Wildcats were led by Jelan Kendricks with 25 points. Darnell Harris led Hamilton with 22 points, Elgin Cook added 15.
Most Valuable Player: Johnathan Loyd, Bishop Gorman
Most Outstanding Player: JerShon Cobb, Columbia
All-Tournament Team:
Elgin Cook, Alexander Hamilton
C.J. Gridine, Concord
Antonio Cannon, Daniel
Will Regan, Nichols
Damien Leonard, J.L. Mann
Jelan Kendrick, Wheeler
Thomas Gipson, Cedar Hill
Everett Golson, Myrtle Beach
Taylor Spencer, Bishop Gorman
Anson Winder, Bishop Gorman
Arby;s Classic
GAC started the game with a 15-5 run but Melrose climbed back in to tie the score at halftime. A third quarter surge gave Melrose a 13 point lead heading into the fourth quarter. GAC got back to 52-51 with a 17-3 run of their own before falling short 55-51 in the title game. The Spartans, who came back from a late game deficit in the semi's, were unable to pull off that magic in todays final game.
Chris Jones led Melrose with 12 points, Adonis Thomas added 11 points and a game high 16 rebounds and six assist. The Spartans were led by Paul Dawson's game high 16 points, Malcolm Brogdon and Trent Weideman each scored 12 points.
