The Adidas Holiday Classic basketball tournament kicks off on the Coast. What to know
Gulfport is set to host the 2021 Adidas Holiday Classic this week featuring eight different teams from across the Coast and the state.
Five Gulf Coast squads are set for battle in a three-day event that begins Tuesday. Four games will be played each day, culminating in the championship matchup on Thursday evening. It’s the 39th edition of the tournament.
Along with the Admirals, Moss Point, Picayune, D’Iberville and Harrison Central will be participating. Three other schools in Mississippi — Yazoo City, Meridian and Wayne County — will also take part.
Who to watch
The tournament will have plenty of talent on display but a pair of names quickly jump out from the rosters. The top ticket will be Red Rebel forward Sam Murray II. The senior dominated in the first eight games of the season before being sidelined by a minor knee injury.
Murray will be making his return to the hardwood this week in Gulfport, according to HCHS head coach Francisco Hardy. Murray is averaging a 21.6 points, 10.4 rebounds and 4.3 blocks per contest this season.
The 6-foot-7 athlete is holding scholarship offers from Baylor, Arizona State, LSU and several others as the biggest basketball name on the Coast right now.
Among the other players to watch out for is Moss Point forward Kedrick Osby. Another lanky athlete, Osby uses his size and improving jumper to get a bucket anywhere on the floor.
Osby is another name being watched by Division I programs. He’s currently holding offers from Mississippi State and Southern Miss.
Other stars to keep an eye on are guards Zarius Gill from Gulfport and Demarius Coleman of HCHS.
When to watch
The classic tips off Tuesday with Picayune and Wayne County at 3:00 p.m. Harrison Central follows with a game against Yazoo City at 4:30 p.m..
To end the first day, Gulfport faces Moss Point in the only regional contest of the first round and D’Iberville battles Meridian as the nightcap.
Losing teams from day one will play in their own bracket on the second day while the winners move forward. Consolation and placement games take place on Thursday, with the title game tipping at 7:30 p.m.
