By Mike Mahon
Alabama—Bay Bracket Title
Alabama used a balanced scoring attack and pressure defense to stop Clemson, 73-39, in the championship of the Bay Bracket in the inaugural Emerald Coast Classic women’s basketball tournament in November.
Graduate guard Zaay Green, named the outstanding performer of the tournament, collected a game-high 17 points, six assists and two steals to lead the charge by the Crimson Tide.
She was joined on the all-tournament team by teammate Aaliyah Nye, a second-team all-SEC performer last year, who scored 14 points while dishing out four assists.
Guad Sarah Ashlee Barker, a preseason first team All-SEC selection, tallied 15 points while collecting a season-high five steals. Alabama sophomore forward Essence Cody, who also scored 15 points, grabbed a game-high nine rebounds.
Barker, held to just two points in the first half on 1 of 8 shooting, exploded for 13 points in the second half. Alabama forced Clemson into 18 turnovers, while dominating the paint, outscoring Clemson, 42-20.
Alabama head coach Kelly Curry praised local officials who hosted this inaugural tournament. “I’ve played in a lot of beach atmospheres and they have all been wonderful experiences,” stated Curry. “But, I just feel like, number one, the quality of our host with Northwest Florida and the facility here is second to none. The ability to be right on the beach, is just a beautiful setting.”
Can lightning strike twice for the Crimson Tide? The Alabama men played in the 2023 Emerald Coast Classic and then advanced to the 2024 NCAA Final Four.
Other members of the Bay Bracket All-Tournament team were Loyal McQueen, Clemson; Mia Moore, Clemson; and Maddie Walsh, UAB.
Creighton—Beach Bracket Title
Morgan Maly and Lauren Jensen combined for 49 points, including 12 three-point baskets, igniting Creighton to an 86-59 victory past Syracuse in the championship of the Beach Bracket in the inaugural Emerald Coast Classic women’s basketball tournament in November.
“We executed and the ball went in,” said Creighton coach Jim Flanery. “Sometimes you might execute, but the ball doesn’t go in. When you shoot the ball as well as we did early, you kind of demoralize the opponent.
Creighton finished with 28 assists on 31 baskets, shooting 53.4 percent (31-58) from the floor. The Bluejays made 15 three-point baskets.
Maly, a senior forward, tallied 28 points, going a perfect 6-for-6 beyond the three-point arc.
Jensen scored 21 points, making all five of her three-point shots in the first half. It marked Jensen’s 26th career 20-plus scoring game and Maly’s 23rd career 20-plus scoring game.
Jensen was named the most outstanding player in the Beach Bracket and joined on the all-tournament team with Maly. Other members of the Beach Bracket All-Tournament team were Kyra Wood, Syracuse; Georgia Woolley, Syracuse; and Grace Slaughter, Missouri. Freshman reserve forward Keira Scott led Syracuse with 11 points. The Orange shot 35.1 percent (20-57) from the floor, while committing 18 turnovers.
