Last weekend, Kris Long took the fifth and sixth grade travel basketball teams from Mt. Pilgrim African Baptist Church to the “Ballin’ at the Beach” tournament put on by Panhandle Basketball in Gulf Shores. Both teams came away with second place trophies. According to Panhandle Basketball owner, John McDonald, teams came from New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Gulf Port, Biloxi, Hattiesburg, Birmingham, Montgomery, and Pensacola.
For the fifth grade team, Long said Saturday they won 20 to 11 versus Panhandle Elite out of Pace. The second win was 28 to 7 versus the Gulf Shores team. Sunday, Long said, the team lost to #2 seed Future Elite Stars out of Mobile, 21 to 23. “(Mobile) scored with 10 seconds left in the game. We had a chance to tie the game with 6 seconds left on technical free throws, but missed them both. Cody Faulk led us in scoring the first game. Zaylin Long led us in scoring the second game. Javion Cobb had a great game the championship game and made big plays to keep us in the game. Jabez Hunter played great defense for us the entire tournament. Kayden Faulk played great for us making big plays and being second in scoring every game. Darrion Ward led us in rebounds every game. Nazareth Nakasone played great defense and hit some big shots for us also.”
Long gave a rundown for the sixth grade team as well. Saturday, the team had a 42 to 14 win versus Port City Rain out of Mobile. The next win was 43 to 17 versus the Saints, also from Mobile. Sunday, the team was the was the #1 seed. They started the day with a win, 33 to 31 versus Bayou State Warrior from New Orleans. In the championship game, the team lost to Capital City Crusher out of Baton Rouge 60 to 50. “A'marion Bethel had a double every game in the tournament for my team. Cameron Hall and Kemontre Current played great for us all tournament. Cameron was second in points and rebounds all tournament. Kemontre Current led us in steals and assists in the tournament.”
McDonald said, “We’ve been hosting tournaments in the panhandle for 10 years now. We expanded out to Gulf Shores and Mobile, and will possibly expand further. Right now, the three areas we do are Pensacola, Gulf Shores, and Mobile. This particular one was the second annual one in Gulf Shores.” He said 60 teams played.
Teams played at Gulf Shores Middle School, Foley High School, Foley Middle School, Foley Intermediate School and Robertsdale School. The tournament included teams from 5th through 11th grades. McDonald said the tournament “grew by 22 percent from the year before. It became the fourth largest tournament this year. The one in Pensacola has over 100 teams, the largest event we have.”
McDonald, like Long, is an advocate for community and travel sports teams. McDonald said, “It’s a great opportunity for kids to be able to have a different outlet rather than be idle. The only requirement is they have to be age and grade appropriate.” For more on Panhandle Basketball, visit their website at www.panhandlebasketball.com.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Milton youth basketball scores big