LOWER LAKE — The 16th annual Record-Bee Hoop Classic made its debut in the new Lower Lake High School gymnasium on Monday with the playing of first-round games in the junior varsity and varsity division.
This year”s tournament marks the third time in four years and the fourth time overall the Hoop Classic has been hosted by Lower Lake, tying it with Middletown. Clear Lake and Kelseyville have each hosted it three times and Upper Lake twice. Next year”s tournament visits Clear Lake High School in Lakeport.
New coach
G.J. Rockwell, a multi-sports star during his playing days at Middletown, takes over the Mustangs” JV program.
n Multiple program covers
Capitalizing on an idea that was well-received at last year”s tournament, the Hoop Classic tournament program once again has multiple covers featuring all of the county”s varsity teams. Coaches, JV players and a cheerleader are featured on other covers. All program proceeds along with all gate proceeds benefit the host school”s basketball program.
Off on Saturday
Kelseyville will have the tournament bye on Saturday this year so that Upper Lake can play on the final day (the Cougars have had the Saturday bye for several seasons). Each team has a bye day during the round-robin-format tournament and all teams are off Wednesday.
Special contests
The varsity head coach 3-point contest is today at approximately 6:30 p.m. (you should arrive at the gym early just in case the tournament is running ahead of schedule). The JV and varsity free-throw and 3-point contests are Friday. The winning head coach will receive a prize basket containing all sorts of treats while the JV and varsity winners also receive awards. There could be some special prizes as well.
Automatically qualifying for the special contests this year are two of last year”s winners ? Lower Lake”s Scott Zandt (JV free-throw winner) and Clear Lake”s Steven Edwards (JV 3-point winner). Zandt has since moved up to the varsity and will be automatically entered in the varsity contest.
