Some Scores from Day 4 of the GSK Holiday Invitational

Tuesday, December 30th, 2008, filed in Athlete's Corner, Events & Combines, PrepChamps News

Today I was back at the GSK Holiday Invitational high school basketball tournament in Raleigh, NC. I didn’t get to stay the full day because of plans tonight but here are some recaps and scores from the games I saw.

Father Henry Carr (Canada) vs. Enloe (Raleigh, NC)

Father Henry Carr has a young team but they can be fun to watch. Junior point guard Josh Ogden is very quick and has a nice shot, and 6′5″ sophomore Theon Reefer is very athletic and will only get better. Enloe is making its 19th appearance in the GSK Holiday Invitational tournament. The Eagles are led by 6′8″ junior forward Melvin Tabb, who has received scholarship offers from a few ACC schools, junior guard Charles Ashley and senior guard Courtney Pulley. Both these teams lost their first game, but won their second to face off this morning.

Enloe jumped out to an early lead in the first quarter (21-9) behind some great defense and fast break points. Melvin Tabb was a beast down low for the Eagles and at the end of the first quarter, the score was 26-13 Enloe. The second quarter was more of the same. Great defense and rebounding by Enloe combined with Father Henry Carr’s poor shooting gave Enloe a 47-26 halftime lead.

After halftime the Eagles continued their dominating performance and at the end of the third quarter, Enloe led 72-38. Enloe’s defense was giving Father Henry Carr problems and they were making mistakes left and right. In the fourth quarter, I have to give credit to Father Henry Carr for not giving up, and they outscored Enloe 31 to 11 in the fourth . Josh Ogden continued to play hard and made some nice plays and passes. Enloe still ended up winning 85-69 behind 16 points from Melvin Tabb and balanced scoring from everyone else.

Rocky Mount vs. Apex Middle Creek

Rocky Mount and Middle Creek both lost their first games in this tournament but won their second to advance and face each other this morning. Rocky Mount is led by 6′5″ junior forward Tashawn Mabry, who has been offered by NC State, Clemson, Xavier and Wake Forest, and senior point guard Alonzo Sharpton, who has some deceptive speed. Middle Creek is led by University of Miami signee Garrius Adams, who is a 6′5 guard with a great jump shot and the ability to get to the basket almost at will. Tom Tanklewicz, a 6′4″ senior guard who has signed to play with Charleston Southern, is also a key player for Middle Creek.

Garrius Adams and Middle Creek quickly established the lead in this game, but Mabry helped Rocky Mount get back in it to make it 10-10 with about three minutes left in the first quarter. Middle Creek then went on a 10-0 run behind Adams’ will to score seemingly whenever he wanted, and it was 20-15 at the end of the first quarter.

The game remained close throughout the second quarter, and Alonzo Sharpton had two nice moves midway through the quarter for four quick points. Tom Tanklewicz was also impressive, though I kept waiting for him to catch fire, but he couldn’t seem to hit two in a row. I thought Rocky Mount should have gotten the ball inside to Mabry much more (in this quarter and in the game), but give credit to Middle Creek’s defense for making it hard for the guards to make entry passes to the post. At halftime the score was 33-28 Rocky Mount. Tanklewicz had 12 points and Adams had 16 for Middle Creek, while Mabry led Rocky Mount with 14 points.

In the third quarter the game stayed close, with Middle Creek holding a 43-42 lead at the end of the quarter. Rocky Mount took its first lead of the game with about 7:40 left in the game (44-43) but Tanklewicz hit a three to put Middle Creek back on top, where they would stay the rest of the game. The final score was 64-55 Middle Creek. Tanklewicz ended up with 26 points and Adams, who clearly looked like the best player on the court, finished with 27 points. Mabry finished with 25 points to lead Rocky Mount, though it was a shame they couldn’t have gotten him the ball a little more.

Cary Panther Creek vs. Knightdale (3rd place game for the Summit Hospitality Group Invitational)

Panther Creek is led by 6′5″ senior forward Earnest Ross, who has committed to play for Auburn. They have some nice size and speed with the rest of the team, but twins Brandon (6′2″) and Marques (6′6″) Oliver stand out. Knightdale is led by 6′4″ senior Stan Okoye, who is being recruited by some Ivy League and mid-major schools, and senior Dijon Manns, a 6′7″ 230-pound forward. Knightdale also has some solid guards, such as Aaron Smith and Josh Gorham, who are both around 5′9″ and lightning quick.

The game was a defensive battle for the most part, with the score tied at ten at the end of the first quarter. Earnest Ross went on a tear at the beginning of the second quarter, scoring nine straight points to give Panther Creek the lead. Ross is one of the strongest players at the tournament but he also has a nice outside shot when he gets his feet set. At halftime the score was 28-22 Panther Creek.

In the third quarter Panther Creek stretched its lead to ten midway through the quarter, but Knightdale kept battling behind the play of guards Aaron Smith and Josh Gorham. 40-34 at the end of the third. At the beginning of the fourth quarter, Knightdale pulled within three but could get no closer the rest of the way. The final score was 60-46 Panther Creek. Marcus Oliver did a nice job inside for Panther Creek and he finished with 17 points, while Earnest Ross led all scorers with 23. Knighdale was led by Smith (12 points) and Gorham (11 points).