Conway, SC – The Atlantic Collegiate Academy boys' basketball team made its season debut under new head coach Tanner Massey during the Thanksgiving weekend break, and the Armada posted wins in both games.
 
ACA played in the Holiday Hoopfest in Columbia at Keenan High, topping Spring Valley High 49-45 last Wednesday before coming back to defeat Sumter High 60-55 on Friday to claim the tournament bracket title.
 
"Everyone contributed to the outcome, and everyone showed signs of improvement from our first game," Massey said after the win over Sumter. "When you work hard as a team while also minding the details of the scouting report, you give yourself a great chance to win."
 
Both games were close throughout. In the opener, the Armada took a seven-point lead by the end of the opening quarter, but found themselves trailing by a single point, 27-26, at halftime. ACA edged back into the lead in the third quarter before holding off the Vikings down the stretch.
 
Freshman Anton Daniels led the Armada with 12 points in the game, connecting on a pair of three-pointers. Senior Jaylen Bellamy chipped in with 11 points.
 
"This was a full team win," Massey said. "Everyone played a part in the outcome. We have a long way to go, but I am pleased with the effort and physicality our players showed. We must take better care of the ball, but we made up for turnovers by getting timely stops."
 
The Armada came back on Friday to play in another hotly contested game against Sumter. ACA took a seven-point lead into the fourth quarter of that game and made it standup in a five-point victory.
 
"Anton won the MVP of our bracket by controlling the pace of play and defending very well," Massey said. "CJ Hemingway played with force inside and was stronger with the ball.
 
"Justin Bellamy defended Sumter's best player all night and competed at a very high level. Jaylen showed off his all-around game by making timely plays on both sides of the ball."
 
The Armada varsity will make their home debut next Monday night when they host Trinity Collegiate at "The Flight Deck". The junior varsity squad will play its first game on Saturday afternoon at Heathwood Hall Episcopal in Columbia, with a 2 p.m. start time. The JV Armada will then begin the evening on Monday at 5 p.m. with the varsity squads 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 AtlanticCollegiate.Academy and by following us on social media on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.