Scott’s All*Stars’ basketball team hosted a round-robin tournament this past weekend at Faith Baptist Christian Academy in Ludowici where coach Marcus Scott V said some of his players learned a valuable lesson.
The coach and founder of the All*Stars said the tournament provided an opportunity for his players to showcase their skills in front of local fans. But some of the players did not meet the academic grade-point average required and did not attend mandatory tutorial.
“We had some kids apparently think it was optional. Therefore, they paid with their playing time,” Scott said. “It is a very effective consequence. Usually, our kids understand by now that if they don’t have the grade, they are jeopardizing their chances of playing basketball. Kids that did not fulfill their weekly required number of tutorial hours were required to sit out the first half of the game for their first offense and a full game for each additional infraction.”
If a player misses three tutorials, it could result in indefinite suspension, Scott added.
“The player would only be allowed to participate in community service and tutorial,” he said.
Scott said two of the three losses the team had at the tournament might have had different results had some of his normal starters been able to play the entire game.
“Wins and losses are not as important right now as understanding that academics is first,” he said. “We want to win, that’s why we play the game, but we will never sacrifice wins for kids that are not performing academically.  Our program wins when our kids receive academic or athletic scholarships upon graduating from high school, as our mission states.”
Tournament and SAS scoring results:
Sixth grade
Savannah Vipers 32, Scott’s All*Stars 29
Individual points: Latravious Mitchell 11, Khy Collins 4, Kelsey Cordero 7, Nyheim Lowery 2, Demontae Garrett 2, Tim Powell 2
Seventh grade
Scott’s All*Stars 38, Savannah Vipers 31
Individual points: Christian Bass 16, Marcus Scott 13, Russell Dandy 5, Latravious Mitchell 2, Josh Washington 2
Eighth grade
Brunswick Kings 42, Scott’s All*Stars 37    
Individual points: Jay Labodie 9, Marcus Scott 7, JohnLuis Labodie 5, Zack Moser 5, Christain Bass 4, Drew Bell 4, Josh Washington 3
Brunswick Stars 66, Scott’s All*Stars 28
Individual points: Jay Labodie 9, Marcus Scott 7, JohnLuis Labodie 4, Russell Dandy 3, Terry Smith 2, Christain Bass 1, Drew Bell 1, Josh Washington 1