I know I am very much excited for this weeks tournaments. I feel this will be an opportunity for several teams to show what they are made of, and at what level they can compete. Nothing like starting the holiday break with great some great JC basketball.
*Click on Tournament Title for Bracket*
* Santa Rosa Kris Kringle Invitational 12/19-21 Santa Rosa, Ca
(Santa Rosa (3-6), Shasta (2-10), Los Medanos (7-1), Redwoods (8-4), Marin (5-3), Yuba (4-3), American River (2-7), & Feather River (3-9))
I predict that Santa Rosa is going to get the opportunity to pick up some W's this weekend and show that they are a top 10 team in the North.
Yuba also has a lot to prove over the weekend. With a long conference schedule they do not have many preseason opportunities to fill their schedule with quality games. Currently (4-3) and on a 2 game losing streak they need this weekend to go well in order to gain back the respect they were garnering a couple weeks ago.
Los Medanos, Marin & Redwoods should be seeking an opportunity to earn more respect to go with their current impressive records.
* West Valley Holiday Classic 12/19-21 Saratoga, Ca
(West Valley (4-7), Alameda (0-5), Diablo Valley (7-2), Foothill (6-4), Lassen (10-6), Ohlone (11-1), Monterey Peninsula (6-6) & Modesto (5-6))
With 4 teams in my top 15 Northern California rankings for this week, this tournament is definitely another one to look forward to. (Ohlone #2, Diablo Valley #5, Lassen #8 & Monterey Peninsula #13)
Very good well matched first round competition. The Lassen vs Ohlone game should be incredible and the DVC vs Foothill one should be a great match up as well. Monterey Peninsula vs a hot Modesto team should also be another first round nail-biter.
Curious if the same person is doing the scheduling for Ohlone & DVC. They have the opportunity to face each other again, for the 3rd time this year, if they both can reach the finals.
* Delta Holiday Tournament 12/20-22 Stockton, Ca
(Delta (4-4), San Francisco (10-1), Butte (5-5), Merced (0-8) , Reedley (3-5), Cuesta (6-5), Sierra (3-5) & Columba (6-6).
San Francisco is the obvious favorite to win this tournament, but anything can happen with the solid teams paired up this weekend in Stockton. Curious why Delta would impose themselves upon CCSF in the first round of their own tournament, either they were very confident coming into this year, or maybe none of the other teams wanted to face CCSF in the first round. Either way, Delta has an opportunity for serious redemption if they can pull off a W in the first round and advance in the winners bracket. It's never fun being in the Consolation of your own tournament.
Best first round games would be the Delta vs CCSF match up & Sierra vs Columbia match up. Reedley has shown to be quite inconsistent this year, with good wins to go with bad losses you seem to never know what to expect from them.
Sierra has a shot to turn things around and come out looking like they did when they opened the season handing Fresno City their only loss to date, if they can come out this weekend above .500.
Overall, this looks to be a solid tournament if you must stay in the Central Valley over the weekend.
* College of Sequoias Kirby Mannon Pepsi/Holiday Tournament 12/20-22 Visalia, Ca
(Sequoias (3-9), Contra Costa (4-5), El Camino (2-4), Allan Hancock (7-4), Ventura (6-6), Cerritos (4-5), San Bernardino (13-3) & Porterville (6-5)
Last, but definitely not least, is the Sequoias Tournament in Visalia. Featuring more Southern California Teams than Northern this tournament looks very exciting for those that can take the trip down the 99 to take in the action.
Looking at the bracket it appears that every first round game is well matched making every game from 2pm-8pm watchable. San Bernardino comes in as the favorite ranked #8 in the State in this weeks poll, but Allan Hancock has just as much right to claim the same, being ranked #13 statewide. Cerritos is stocked with talent, maybe too much talent, as they were highly touted in the preseason with a couple of NBA caliber prospects on their roster, but struggling with a (4-5) record. Ventura is historically a state powerhouse, so don't expect their (6-6) record to speak for them either. Host team COS has talent, but also has a tough match up with a hot Contra Costa team that is coming off a 3rd place finish in the Modesto Tournament.
With 4 great 8-team tournaments this weekend, I have somewhat of an early March Madness feeling taking over me, as it's almost too much of a good thing, and not enough time to take in every game. A good thing about the scheduling is that 2 of the tournaments start on the 19th while the other 2 start on the 20th, making it a bit easier to see more of the games over the weekend.
So don't get into 'Holiday Mode' too early, their is plenty of 'don't miss' action going on this weekend to stay at home!
*If you do have to stay at home, check out Ohlone's facebook page, as they do have capabilities to broadcast some of their games online if their is internet access in the gymnasiums. I know I will be checking in on the Lassen match-up Thursday evening via internet feed if it is available. I'm sure that some of the other teams over the weekend will be broadcasting via internet, so do your research and plan ahead to maximize the excitement.
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