The Eastern Athletic Commission All-Star basketball tournament tipped off on Saturday and Washington made a big splash as five teams in the tourney advanced to today’s semifinal round.
The tournament was hosted locally by the Washington Youth Basketball League as the 7-9-year old coed division played its games at the Bobby Andrews Center, the 10-year boys competed at Chocowinity Middle School and the 10-12-year old coed division got underway at P.S. Jones.
“Overall the day went pretty good,” WYBL president Wilson Edwards said. “Everything ran on schedule for the most part. We might have been a little bit behind in some areas but when you have so many teams that’s to be expected. But, all the kids and parents seemed to have a good time. Everybody was well behaved. It’s been a really good day.”
In the 7-9-year old division, Washington Reddick advanced into the semifinal round and will resume its run today at 3:20 at the Bobby Andrews Rec Center.
In the 10-year old boys division, Washington had two teams square off against one another in the semifinal round as Washington Lampkins was able to get past Washington Stevenson and will play Camden in the championship game today at 4:30 at P.S. Jones.
The Washington Ruffin team was hot on Saturday and picked up a win to move on and face Elizabeth City in the semifinal round today at 1 p.m. at P.S. Jones.
In out of town action, two Washington 13-15-year old boys’ teams will square off against one another in the semifinal round at Elizabeth City, while the 11-12-year old girls moved on to reach the tourney title game in Camden.
“I think it’s great that we still have five teams playing,” Edwards said. “Washington usually does a good job of reaching semifinals or championship games. I’m very pleased with the way they’ve played.”
Wilson said that he also saw some great efforts from teams that were not fortunate enough to advance.
“For some of these teams that have lost it’s there first time in a tournament,” Edwards said. “They’re young, but this gives them a good experience. They need to hold their heads up. I’m sure they’re a little bit upset that they lost, but this is a good experience for them.”