Pawleys Island Heat in tourney
Last Updated on 10/13/2008
Published on 6/29/2008
By R.G. Greene
rgreene@gtowntimes.com
More than 160 girls and boys youth basketball teams from around the nation will be on the Grand Strand this week, participating in the USBA National Championships.
Representing Georgetown County in the girls 16 and under age bracket will be the Pawleys Island Heat.
The squad has posted a 13-3 record this summer and coach Jeff Bombich believes that being able to make it to the national tournament is an accomplishment in and of itself.
"There are hundreds of teams that try to qualify," Bombich said. "So being one of 16 teams in our age bracket that has made (the tournament) is something to be very proud of.
"We want to win and we're working hard to try to win. But, no matter what happens this week, we're going to walk away with our heads held high."
The Heat will begin the tournament on Tuesday, facing the Stanley County Slammers at 1:30 p.m. at North Myrtle Beach High School.
Other scheduled games are Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. against the Union County Extreme (this game will be played at Loris High School) and Thursday at 11:45 a.m. against the Spindale Express (at North Myrtle Beach High).
Balance has been the key to the Heat's success. Waccamaw junior Briana Bombich and Carvers Bay sophomore Alexis Taylor lead the team in scoring - each averaging 18 points per game - and Waccamaw junior Charlene Tisdale is averaging 13 points.
Carvers Bay sophomore Jasmine Washington has dealt out an average of 13 assists per contest and Lowcountry Day freshman Jenny Derrick averages six points and six rebounds.
"We're a very unselfish team," Bombich said. "We don't have one player taking over (control) of the ball, we have a group of players who all do their part. Our discipline and our willingness to work together have been big factors in what we've been able to accomplish."
Another key has been the squad's maturity. Like many other travel teams, the Heat has felt the effects of a slumping economy and high gas prices. Originally wanting to play in eight tournaments this summer, a lack of funding forced the team to cut that number back to four.
"It's been tough, but we've handled it well," Bombich said. "We've kept our focus on the big picture. We have a group of players that have aspirations of being able to play in college. They've kept improving and have kept wanting to be seen in the tournaments we've been able to make."
Bombich hopes the Heat's success this year will help spur interest in the team in the coming years.
"We would love to have more players involved," Bombich said. "I think that would be a great thing for (the community). Hopefully, what we've been able to do this summer will help with that."
