The first annual USE Basketball Holiday Showdown is in the books. Three teams emerged as champions of their respective divisions. The Doves of Western High were the hosts for the event and they did a great job. The Joseph Rosendale division featured St. Vincent Pallotti of the IAAM, defending 3A champions Atholton High from Howard county and two 4A contenders in Eleanor Roosevelt and Western. Roosevelt advanced to the final by beating Pallotti on day one 57-49, while Western defeated Atholton 61-39. The championship game was played in a playoff like atmosphere as both teams battled back and forth to the wire. In the end it was the Raiders who made more plays and they held on for a 61-54 win. Lets hope we get this matchup again in the playoffs.    

 The Sevalyn White division featured Eastern Tech of Baltimore County, Maryvale Prep of the IAAM, Glen Burnie of Anne Arundel County and Edmondson High of Baltimore. Maryvale rolled through the competition with a 56-15 win over Glen Burnie and followed that up with a 59-34 win over a tough Eastern Tech team for the championship. 

 The Breezi Hutchen division featured only three teams as we had a late drop out. Joppatowne from Harford County, Coppin Academy of Baltimore and St. Paul's School for Girls of the IAAM mixed it up in this bracket. St. Paul's advanced via forfeit straight to the championship game while Coppin Academy advanced with a 61-31 win over Joppatowne. In the championship game St. Paul's was able to wear down Coppin Academy behind 24 points from sophomore guard Destiny Ryles. The final score was 63-54. 

The USE Basketball Holiday Showdown was created to assist female student athletes who do not receive full rides and would benefit from another scholarship source. We hope to present our first scholarship in 2018. The date for the 2018 Holiday Showdown will be December 28th and 29th. 

2017 ALL TOURNAMENT TEAM

Destiny Ryles, St. Paul's

Devan Conrad, St. Paul's 

Kayla Henderson, Coppin Academy

Tylea Galloway, Coppin Academy

Makayla Adams, Eleanor Roosevelt

Ashia McCalla, Eleanor Roosevelt

Infasia Davis, Edmondson

Jaya Dews, Glen Burnie

Tierra Harris, Glen Burnie

Molly Mcaleer, Maryvale

Destiny Franklin, Eastern Tech

Sequioa Rantin, Eastern Tech

Zhuri Cannon, Atholton

Sarah Sowah, Atholton

Renni Sydnor, Pallotti

Janiah Hall, Pallotti 

Cache Waters, Western

Destiny Johnson, Western 

Shawkina Mulazim, Joppatowne

TOURNAMENT MVP: CLAIRE NEFF OF MARYVALE PREP

Sophomore guard  Claire  Neff was the most dominant player in the event. In two games she put up some pretty impressive numbers. She looks to be about 6'2" at this point and has elite shooting and guard skills. Congrats to Claire on a great season so far. 

Game 1