Chantilly, Va. – The Atlantic Collegiate Academy varsity boys' basketball team took advantage of the time away from school in December to bolster their growing reputation on the hardwood.
 
Coach Jason Harris took his squad to the outskirts of Washington, D.C., to play in the Westfield High Bulldog Bash Holiday Tournament.
 
"The trip to D.C. was a great opportunity to learn more about our team," Harris said. "We were able to overcome a lot of adversity throughout the three games. Senior point guard Sam Medalie was injured in the semi-finals and played very little in the championship game. Other players, Including Sam's freshman brother, Seeger Medalie, stepped up in his absence and really matured as a player during his time on the floor."
 
The Armada opened the tournament on December 28 with a 74-62 victory over Lightridge High of Aldie, Va. Junior Jaylen Bellamy led the way to the victory for ACA with a 20-point outing.
 

In the second game, the Armada rolled to a 76-58 victory over Calvin Coolidge Senior High from Washington. Junior Jamie Brooks paced ACA with 16 points while senior guard Sam Medalie added 14.
 
The Armada squared off against John Champe High in the championship game. The Knights came into the final off close wins over Independence High (53-52) and host Westfield High (49-45), but the Armada proved to be the better team, taking the tournament title with a 60-55 victory.
 
Brooks again led the way for Atlantic with 18 points and 10 rebounds.
 
"We don't rely on one guy to carry the load," Harris said. "Each game a new player stepped up and provided what we needed to win the game."
 
While on the trip, Harris made sure his squad got to experience some of what life in the Nation's Capital city is all about.
 
"The trip was a great success, not because we won the tournament, but because we became better individuals and better people through this experience," Harris said.
 
"It was a great opportunity to take the team back to where I grew up as a kid," Harris said. "We had dinner in the recreation center that I went to everyday. I was able to open up to them about my upbringing and show them how similar we were raised.
 
"They were able to speak with my High School coach, Stu Vetter, who has coached seven first round NBA draft picks, including Kevin Durant, Dennis Scott and Terrance Ross. He told them the things we are doing now, are the same as what KD did with him."
 

In addition to getting some basketball history lessons, the Armada was able to experience even more important historical lessons that are available all over that area.
 
"We were able to get to the African American History Museum for a tour, to Great Falls Park and to the Lincoln Memorial," Harris said. "Part of what we do as a program is we want to give them opportunities to learn about the history of the places we play in. For some of our players, it may be the first time or the only time they visit these places. We want a well-rounded educational experience for all our players."
 
On the strength of their performance in that tournament, and their overall great start, ACA (12-1) is now ranked No. 8 overall in South Carolina.
 
"I think this team has gotten off to a great start and we are looking to close out the year on a high note."
 
The Armada is scheduled to return to action on Friday night at 7:30 p.m. against the South Carolina Governor's School for Math & Science in Hartsville, SC. The team will be back home at the Carolina Forest Rec Center on Monday, January 8, to host Trinity Collegiate Academy. That game is scheduled for a 6:30 p.m. start.

About Atlantic Collegiate Academy: Atlantic Collegiate Academy (ACA), located in Myrtle Beach, S.C., serves high school students in a safe, small and family-centered setting. Our students seek the opportunity and challenge of rigorous curriculum, high academic standards and elite athletics while also earning up to two years of college credit. ACA serves students in grades 9-12 using an honors curriculum in 9th and 10 grades with a dual enrollment curriculum in 11th and 12th grades. Learn more about ACA by visiting our website at AtlanticCollegiateAcademy.org and by following us on social media on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.