Two-Week Hoops Showcase Begins Saturday at Convention Center
Beginning Saturday, the holiday season transforms the Myrtle Beach Convention Center into “Basketball Central” as two of the nation’s elite high school basketball tournaments take to the hardwood.
This roundball smorgasbord tips off Saturday at 12:30 p.m., as Coastal Carolina University takes on East Carolina in “Basketball at the Beach.” The Chanticleers enter this matchup fresh off their Monday-night road upset of traditional Southeastern Conference power Louisiana State, and vie for another big win this weekend to give them momentum leading into the crux of their Big South Conference schedule.
Later that day, the girls’ prep teams take over with the Crescent Bank Holiday Invitational, which runs daily through Dec. 23. The girls’ tournament showcases 16 teams from six states – including Norcross, Georgia (No. 6 in the nation in the USA Today Super 25 Girls’ basketball rankings), which takes on local challenger Socastee High School on Saturday at 5:45 p.m.
On Sunday, the girls get a quick break to watch their college counterparts play in the Carolinas Challenge, featuring Butler vs. Coastal Carolina at 1 p.m., South Carolina vs. North Carolina at 3 p.m. and Virginia Intermont vs. Francis Marion at 5 p.m.
Right after Christmas, it’s the boys’ turn in the 30th Annual Beach Ball Classic (Dec. 27-31). This tourney features 16 teams from nine states, the District of Columbia and Canada, and includes nationally ranked powerhouses Miller Grove (Lithonia, Georgia – ranked No. 3 nationwide by USA Today) and Boys & Girls High (Brooklyn, N.Y. – ranked No. 17 USA Today). Local teams Socastee and North Myrtle Beach are in the mix as well.
For more information on game times and tickets, check out the Beach Ball Classic Web site.
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