SoCalHoops Tournament News

11th Annual La Canada Holiday Tourney
Begins Next Week--(Dec. 12, 2001)

We got the word on this one yesterday from Charlie Plowman, the tournament director of the La Canada Tournament for the past 10 years, and it looks like it will be a good one.  Here's what Charlie had to say about this one:

Three of the top six teams in CIF Division III-AA -- Muir, La Canada and Bishop Montgomery -- will be featured in the 11th annual La Canada Holiday Tournament, which begins on Monday, Dec. 17. Games will be held at La Canada High School and St. Francis High, culminating in the championship game on Saturday evening, Dec. 22. 

Bishop Montgomery, ranked No. 6 in CIF-SS Division III-AA by SoCalHoops, is the two-time divisional state champion is among the favorites. The Knights, who posted a thrilling overtime victory against Muir in last year's La Canada Tournament championship game, are led by 6'6" Fred Washington, who is regarded as one of the finest juniors in the state.  Last year, the Knights were led by All-Americans and current USC players, 6'-2" guards Errick (pictured right) and Derrick Craven.

Muir High School of Pasadena, which returns three starters, are regarded by many as the tournament favorite. The Mustangs, ranked No. 1 in their division by SoCalHoops, boast 6'11" center Ryan Hollins, who has already signed with St. Louis University and its coach, former UCLA star Lorenzo Romar. Seth Davis and Jamaal Hall are also key players for Muir, which is ranked No. 1 in the West San Gabriel Valley by the Pasadena Star-News.

La Canada, ranked No. 3 in Division III-AA, could have its finest team since its 1993-94 squad was ranked No. 1 in the state Division III poll for a portion of that season. Robbie Neyland, Billy Hofman, Greg Gaudino, Mark Moore and Joel Kim are among the top players for Coach Tom Hofman, who said this is the finest offensive team he has coached in 16 years at the school.

Moorpark Coach Tim Bednar said his team, which is ranked among the top 10 in the current Division II-A SoCalHoops poll, is perhaps the school's finest in a decade. Blake Sharpe is a top player for the Musketeers, who recently became the first team in eight years to dethrone the host school and win the Simi Valley Tournament.

The La Canada Tournament will have pool play on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. The semifinals are Friday, Dec. 21, and the third-place and championship games are Dec. 22. The daily schedule follows:

Pool A: Muir, San Fernando, Verdugo Hills
Pool B: Bishop Montgomery, Moorpark, Glendale
Pool C: La Canada, Flintridge Prep, St. Francis

Monday, Dec. 17
4:30: San Fernando vs. Verdugo Hills
6:00: Flintridge Prep vs. St. Francis
7:30: Bishop Montgomery vs. Moorpark

Tuesday, Dec. 18
4:30: Glendale vs. Bishop Montgomery
6:00: Muir vs. San Fernando
7:30: Flintridge Prep vs. La Canada

Wednesday, Dec. 19
4:30: Muir vs. Verdugo Hills
6:00: Moorpark vs. Glendale
7:30: La Canada vs. St. Francis

Thursday, Dec. 20
Consolation games at 6:00 and 7:30

Friday, Dec. 21
Winners' Bracket Semifinals at 6:00 and 7:30

Saturday, Dec. 22
4:30 Consolation final
6:00 Third Place Game
7:30 Championship Game

Note: Because Pool B is widely regarded as the strongest of the three pools, both the winner and runner-up from that pool advance to Friday's semifinals to join the winners of Pool A and Pool C.

See you there.

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