Invitational Features Future Stars

During the past two decades, Augusta, Georgia, has seen more than its share of high school basketball players who are destined for greatness on the hardwood.  Each July since 1996, Riverview Park in neighboring North Augusta hosts the Nike Peach Jam, giving local basketball fans a close look at future college and NBA stars.

William Avery, who competed in the inaugural Peach Jam as a member of the Georgia Stars before moving on to Duke University and the NBA is no stranger to big moments.  And he has put a twist on Augusta's view of basketball's young elite.  The William Avery Invitational, held Saturday at Augusta State's Christenberry Fieldhouse in the middle of the high school basketball season, gave local fans the chance to see some of the country's best players in a different setting.  Rather than shoving eight teams at a time onto four small (compared to college measurements) courts with randomly blowing whistles, the Invitational featured some of the major college conference's future stars on a regulation college court, playing for standard high school teams with exceptional coaches.

Check the highlights of the day's most impressive game between United Faith Christian (Charlotte, NC) and Central Park (Birmingham, AL).  United Faith, coached by former Charlotte Hornet legend Mugsy Bogues, features future Florida Gator Braxton Ogbueze and future Indiana Hoosier Peter Jurkin.  And Central Park features future Arkansas Razorback Jacorey Williams.

The game, played on a comfortable January afternoon rather than in the scorching heat of July in Augusta, and at the home of the Jaguars rather than Riverview Park, looked familiar.  Yet things were different.  In a good way.  Check it out.

William Avery Invitational Game 3 (Norcross vs Stephenson)

In the highlights below, watch senior guard Derek Harper lead the Stephenson Jaguars in a 51-48 upset over the Norcross Blue Devils in game 3 of the William Avery Invitational at Christenberry Fieldhouse (home of the Augusta State Jaguars) on January 28, 2012.  And get a sneak peak at the highlights from Game 4 between United Faith Christian and Central Park Christian.

During the next few days, HS Hoops will publish highlights of, and stories about, all of the games from Saturday's Invitational.  These posts can easily be accessed in the tab above labeled "William Avery Invitational."

Update from William Avery Invitational

Three games are in the books at the inaugural William Avery Invitational.  Here are some early results:

Augusta Eagles 83, Fox Creek 63
Hepzibah 48, Evans 44 (unofficial)
Stephenson 51, Norcross 48

Enjoy the highlights from the opening game between the Augusta Eagles and the Fox Creek Predators.

Augusta's Avery to Host a Real Show

William Avery, one of Augusta's most successful basketball players, is no stranger to big games and big names.  Having played for some of the most respected basketball teams on the planet (Oak Hill Academy, Duke University, and the Minnesota Timberwolves) and with some of the sports' biggest stars (Kevin Garnett, Elton Brand, Shane Battier), he has an eye for talent.  Of course, he also has a special affinity for the Augusta area.  After all, he teamed with another one of Augusta's basketball greats Ricky Moore to capture a state championship during his sophomore season in high school.

So it is fitting that Avery will bring a unique and special day of high school basketball to Augusta State's Christenberry Fieldhouse Saturday, January 28th.  The slate of six games, beginning at noon and lasting until 9 PM, will include local teams (Butler, Hepzibah, Evans, Fox Creek, and the Augusta Eagles) and teams from Atlanta, Charlotte, and Alabama.  The six games will feature players who, like Avery in his day, are recognized as some of the top high school players in the country.  HS Hoops breaks down the match ups and the players who will be competing.  And as a special bonus, we include various highlights gleaned from that bottomless pit of footage known as YouTube (a relatively simple task given the notoriety of the cast Avery has assembled!):