Notebook: Modesto Christian’s Hoop Classic starts Monday; Oakdale wrestlers shine in Reno
The Stanislaus District’s premier basketball tournament returns Monday.
Modesto Christian High’s 21st Holiday Hoop Classic is a four-day tournament, Dec. 27 through Dec. 30, that will feature non-stop basketball games from 10 a.m. until the final game starts at 8:30 p.m.
The 16-team field features some of the top teams in the Sac-Joaquin Section as well as some of the best in Fresno and the Central Section.
The host Crusaders and Clovis West of Fresno headline the tournament as the two No. 1-ranked teams in the Sac-Joaquin and Central sections, respectively.
Seventh-ranked teams Turlock (SJS) and Bakersfield Christian (CS) and the Central Section’s No. 8 team, Bullard of Fresno, also highlight the highly competitive field.
The tournament also features Durango, third best in Nevada.
With all of the teams making the trip to Modesto, athletic director Greg Pearce especially appreciates the high-level local talent that participates every season.
Gregori, Turlock, Beyer, Ripon and Manteca will all compete in the event.
Pearce says Turlock participated in the very first tournament in 2000 and Ripon joined in 2001.
“Local schools have helped make our tournament a success,” Pearce said. “We can go out and get teams ... but our tournament won’t be near as successful without the locals and especially the teams that have been supporting us for a long time. They add to the excitement.”
Three more MJC football players commit: Three Pirates committed to continue their academic and athletic careers at four-year colleges. Linebacker Marquise Higgins (East Union) and defensive back Lamar Johnson (Tracy) committed to Ottawa University Arizona in Surprise, Arizona. Offensive lineman Brandon Carvalho announced he plans on attending Adams State.
Gregori’s Monk receives Cal-Hi Sports honor: Kyle Monk and the Jaguars ended their six-game losing streak with a two-point win over Cosumnes Oaks on Dec. 13. Monk’s 29 points not only helped secure the needed win, but also made him the first player in Gregori High history to score 1,000 career points and he was named Cal-Hi Sports’ Northern California Player of the Week.
Monk and the Jaguars will play Clovis East at 8:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 27, in the opening day of the Modesto Christian tournament.
Oakdale wrestlers bring home awards from Reno: Standout wrestlers Ceasar Garza and Michael Torres finished first and second in their respective weight classes at the Reno Tournament of Champions in Reno, Nevada, on Dec. 18. Torres, who has committed to Cal Poly, finished second in the 126 weight class and Garza, who is headed to Michigan State, finished first at 170.
Two girls soccer teams in MaxPreps section top 10: Turlock and Pitman have started their seasons strong. The Bulldogs (8-1) are sixth and the Pride (8-1-1) ninth in the most recent MaxPreps Girls Soccer Rankings. Both teams start league play with road games on Jan. 5. Turlock travels to Gregori and Pitman will play at Downey.
