Deep field at Holiday Hoop Classic features strong local contingent

Beyer basketball coach Kyle McKim knows what it feels like to be on the outside looking in.

For years, McKim has been a regular in the stands at the Modesto Christian Holiday Hoop Classic, now in its 16th season, and the show has always been worth the price of admission.

But he’s longed for more. A seat on the bench. A place in the program. A chance to match wits and weapons with some of the best in the state.

Know this about Modesto Christian’s annual holiday event: Few California tournaments, outside the section and state playoffs, offer as many intriguing match-ups and such a rich collection of talent. The Holiday Hoop Classic draws teams from Southern and Central California, the Bay Area, and now 1717 Sylvan Ave.

Beyer (8-2) will make its first tournament appearance since the mid-aughts and open against El Camino Real of Woodland Hills on Saturday evening at 8:30 p.m.

“I’ve always missed it as a player and a coach,” said McKim, who graduated from Beyer in 2003. “We’re excited to be back. We’re excited to play against high level teams outside our area at a prestigious tournament. That atmosphere is always electric at Holiday Hoops.”

Modesto Christian coach Richard Midgley welcomes the Patriots and the Stanislaus District’s other marquee programs – Manteca, Weston Ranch in Stockton, Turlock and Gregori.

Midgley says Beyer, a Modesto Metro Conference rival, has earned its way into the 16-team draw.

The Patriots won 24 games last winter, McKim’s first on the varsity bench at his alma mater, and reached the second round of the Sac-Joaquin Section Division II playoffs.

Beyer also gave Modesto Christian a scare in their first conference meeting, losing 61-54 in front of home fans.

“Locally, everyone wants to be in it,” Midgley said. “Now, I like what Beyer is doing, trying to up their program. Coach McKim has said, ‘We need to get in their tournament.’ Coach (Chris) Teevan has a great program and they’re playing as well as anyone in the state. Manteca has a good program and they’re undefeated. I’m very excited to have those types of teams in it. Locally, we have some teams that will be competitive.”

Weston Ranch (7-1) is ranked No. 15 in the state by MaxPreps – the highest in the field – and features three Division II signees: point guard Jaelen Ragsdale and guard Fred Lavender have committed to Stanislaus State, while 6-foot-10 center Anthony Booker is headed to Cal State Monterey Bay. Booker is ineligible after transferring from Chavez in Stockton and won’t play in the tournament.

The Cougars have already beaten four tournament teams, including first-round opponent McClymonds. Weston Ranch also owns victories over Immanuel, Salesian Collegiate Preparatory and Beyer.

A victory Saturday would set up a potential showdown with Long Beach Poly, which opens with Gregori (5-5). The Jackrabbits are led by Hawaii-bound forward Drew Buggs and 6-foot-6 junior Zafir Williams, a dynamic scorer.

“Anytime we get a chance to get better and compete is what we’re looking forward to the most,” said Teevan, a familiar name to Stanislaus District fans. Teevan prepped at Beyer before excelling at Modesto Junior College and Stanislaus State.

“Obviously those teams are high level, so we’re going to have to do the things to win those games. We just had a really good tournament this past week, so hopefully we can build off that. It’ll be fun for me to go home, as well.”

Manteca (8-0) rides its own wave of momentum after a championship run at the Running with the Pack Tournament at Cosumnes Oaks in Elk Grove.

The Buffaloes feature Nevada-bound forward Kenny Wooten, a springy 6-foot-9 senior; 6-9 center Anand Hundal, one of the state’s top shot blockers as a junior; and 6-7 junior guard Tydus Verhoeven, a matchup nightmare with his 7-foot-1 wingspan.

The Buffaloes tip off the tournament Saturday morning with Freedom. A potential second-round date with Modesto Christian looms.

“We are looking forward to playing against some of the better teams in the state,” Manteca coach Brett Lewis said. “It will be a good measuring stick for our group.

“We had a great practice (Wednesday) preparing for a really good Freedom team. We will be challenged early and that is what we were looking for by playing in the tournament.”

Modesto Christian (6-1) hasn’t won its tournament since 2005, though it has reached the final in two of the last three years. The Crusaders were beaten by Campolindo of Moraga in overtime last year, 72-63. Modesto Christian guard Jeff Wu, now a freshman at Sacramento State, sent the game into overtime with a banked-in three-pointer at the buzzer.

“It’s been awhile,” said Midgley, whose team opens with Turlock (1-10) at 7 p.m. “For us, I think the kids are excited. I know I’m getting excited as a coach.”

Modesto Christian has won six consecutive games since a season-opening loss to Folsom at the Prep2Prep Tip-Off Classic. The Crusaders swept St. Mary’s Archbishop Mitty and Jesuitat the Father Barry Christmas Classic last week.

“We have a long ways to go to reach our potential,” said Midgley, whose team opens tournament play with Turlock at 7 p.m. “Even last week, we improved every game there. It takes time sync in with everyone; to find new roles with guys graduating.

“These games are an early test. They allow us to go back to practice and improve on specific things. It’s a growing process through the season, and we hope to take it to another level and perform well.”

This story was originally published December 24, 2015 at 5:08 PM with the headline "Deep field at Holiday Hoop Classic features strong local contingent."