The Bishop O’Connell High School girls basketball team traveled to Tampa, Fla., after Christmas to participate in the Tamps Bay Christmas Invitational. The team played three games between Dec. 27 and Dec. 30, winning decisively in each game and earning the title of “St. Pete Bracket” championship. Sophomore Denver Carlton was named MVP.
“The games that these young ladies competed in are more than team wins — they are pages in the narrative of their personal and collective journey,” said head coach Brittany Davis. “The opportunity to travel in high school with their team not only shapes their basketball skills, but also instills life lessons that extend far beyond the court. My staff and I have all echoed that ‘it is bigger than basketball.’ This tournament was a platform for our players to showcase their dedication and teamwork that defines them as athletes and individuals. I believe they represented that well for the O’Connell girls basketball program.”
The O’Connell’s boys basketball team traveled to Myrtle Beach, S.C., after Christmas to play in the Beach Ball Classic. They defeated Myrtle Beach High School, 75-30, in their first game, and followed up with a semifinal victory over North Crowley (Texas), 58-52. In the championship round, the Knights prevailed in double overtime against Great Crossing (Kentucky), 77-74. Bryson Tucker was named tournament MVP and AJ Swinton was named to the All-Tournament team.
“We are so fortunate to win such a prestigious tournament for the second time in as many tries,” said head coach Joe Wootten. “The team showed great toughness and togetherness down the stretch of these close games. They are starting to come together as a team, with each player playing off the others’ strengths.”
