02/18/2025
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West Bladen High School will host the 12th annual Bladen Offroad Christmas Tournament on December 26, 27 and 28.

“We are excited to have Bladen Offroad back as our sponsor,” West Bladen athletics director and boys’ basketball coach Travis Pait said. “This local business has become a destination to meet automobile owners’ needs for tires, rims, service, and repairs.”

Scott Gordon, owner of Bladen Offroad, said, “Bladen Offroad is proud to be associated with this great event. For a number of years West Bladen has provided a quality high school tournament here in southeastern North Carolina. At Bladen Offroad we strive to provide excellent service and great prices to our customers. Our sponsorship of this tournament is one of many ways that we give back to our community.”

Boys’ basketball games will be played each day at 2 p.m., 4 p.m., 6 p.m., and 8 p.m. with the gate opening at 1 p.m. Admission will be $8 with no passes out. Only NCHSAA passes (coaches, referees, and officials) will be allowed. Concessions will be available for purchase.

In the first game of the tournament set for 2 p.m. Dec. 26, Hoke County returns after a hiatus to play tournament regular Dillon Christian, South Carolina. Coach Sakellie Daniels of Hoke County believes her team is loaded with potential as they try to find their identity. Dillon Christian believes that a tough early season schedule will pay dividends when it begins region play.

The 4 p.m. game will feature Woodland, South Carolina, versus Scotland. Woodland has played a taxing schedule so far and is led by college prospect Jakease Salley. He has a couple of offers to date as well as interest from Wofford, S.C. State and Furman. Scotland comes into the tournament looking to make some noise behind high scoring sophomore Jerrison Dixon

The third game of opening day should be a doozy as West Brunswick takes on Whiteville. West Brunswick stands at 5-4 with some big wins in the area. Whiteville will be getting its whole team together after a deep football playoff run. This should be an up and down game with both teams looking to press.

The final game of the opening day slate finds defending champion West Bladen taking on neighboring West Columbus at 8 p.m. West Bladen is led by Citadel signee Chase Williams. After big early season wins against historic powerhouses Hoggard and Farmville Central, West Bladen will look to defend its title. West Columbus Coach LaMonte Williamson is looking to use the tournament as a springboard heading into conference play

Pait also announced that the Most Valuable Player Award will again be named The Sayaun Dent Most Valuable Player Award in honor of the late Sayaun Dent. Mr. Dent was a part of three Bladen Offroad Christmas Tournament Championship teams and is the only two time winner of the Most Valuable Player Award. He went on to win a national championship at Sandhills Community College and was named National Player of the Year. A portion of the proceeds from the concession stand will also help fund a scholarship in Dent’s name.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

West Brunswick
K’Veon Griffin, Jr., 15.2 ppg
Matt McKenney, Jr., 12.6 ppg

West Columbus
DJ Graham, So., 12 ppg
Emanuez Jones, Jr., 11 ppg
Zion Eady, Jr., 6 ppg

Woodland, S.C.
Jakease Salley, Sr., 17.8 ppg
Trayvon Tate, Sr., 7.8 ppg
Aiden Walker, Jr., 5 ppg

Dillon Christian, S.C.
Thompson Stone, Sr., 20 ppg
Jackson Outlar, Sr., 22.5 ppg

Hoke County
Savion Kinston, Jr., 10.6 ppg
Machai Brown, So., 9.2 ppg
Josiah Jacobs, Jr., 6.7 ppg

Scotland
Jerrison Dixon, So., 21 ppg
Tomek McFadden, So., 13 ppg
LeSean Pittman, Jr., 10 ppg

West Bladen
Chase Williams, Sr., 20.8 ppg
Jackson Pait, Jr., 15.3 ppg
Hezekiah Adams, Sr., 10.6 ppg
Tylik McCall, Jr., 8.9 ppg

TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE

Thursday, December 26
G1 – 2 p.m., Hoke vs Dillon Christian
G2 – 4 p.m., Woodland vs Scotland
G3 – 6 p.m., West Brunswick vs Whiteville
G4 – 8 p.m., West Bladen vs West Columbus

Friday, December 27
G5 – 2 p.m., Loser G2 vs Loser G3
G6 – 4 p.m., Loser G1 vs Loser G4
G7 – 6 p.m., Winner G2 vs Winner G3
G8 – 8 p.m., Winner G1 vs Winner G4

Saturday, December 28
G9 – 2 p.m., 7th place: Loser G5 vs Loser G6
G10 – 4 p.m., 5th place: Winner G5 vs Winner G6
G11 – 6 p.m., 3rd place: Loser G7 vs Loser G8
G12 – 8 p.m., Championship: Winner G7 vs Winner G8

Sonny Jones
Author: Sonny Jones

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