The Shadow
Alcova Mortgage and the Covington High School Quarterback Club are teaming up once again to bring girls high school tournament basketball to the CHS Gym.
The 5th Annual Alcova Mortgage Cougar Classic is set for Friday and Saturday with a four-team field — Covington, Alleghany, Nelson County and James Monroe, W.Va. — pairing up for separate varsity and junior varsity tournaments.
Action begins both days with junior varsity games at 3:30 and 5 p.m., followed by varsity action at 6:30 p.m. and 8:15 p.m.
“Tournament basketball is always a little more exciting,” said Jason Helmintoller, branch partner of the local Alcova Mortgage office in Covington. “Hopefully, this gets teams ready for conference tournaments and beyond come February.”
Alleghany will hook up with James Monroe in a 6:30 p.m. varsity semifinal, while Covington, the tournament host, plays Nelson County in the finale.
“The tournament over the years has featured some outstanding players,” said Helmintoller.
All four of the tournament’s past MVP’s are playing college basketball, including Covington’s Sa’Mone Moore, the 2012 winner, who is a freshman at Eastern Mennonite University.
Heritage High School’s Cameron Carter, the 2010 MVP is at North Greenville University, R.E. Lee’s Angela Mickens (2011) plays for nationally-ranked James Madison University, while Greenbrier East’s Chaunte McDowell (2013) plays at Winthrop University. Covington’s Leteashia Clarke, a past Alcova all-tournament team winner is also playing in college at Ferrum.
“A pretty impressive list of players,” commented Helmintoller. “I’m sure this weekend will feature another group of outstanding girls.”
This year’s tournament MVP, presented after Saturday’s varsity championship game, will earn a special award.
The Alcova MVP will be named after Dionne Moore, the late mother of Sa’Mone.
“I know Dionne meant a lot to the Cougar girls basketball program and to Covington High School,” Helmintoller said. “I think it’s a great way to pay tribute to a special lady.”
Admission to the tournament is $6 per day.
