KELSEYVILLE — The 18th annual Record-Bee Hoop Classic boys” basketball tournament opens today with only four of Lake County”s five high schools in the field, marking the first time since the tournament tipped off in 1994 that all five county schools haven”t been represented.
Clear Lake, Kelseyville, Lower Lake and Middletown all return while Upper Lake, coming off a 1-23 campaign in 2010-11, has decided to forego the tournament to pursue a schedule that no longer includes Division IV teams. Because the Cougars” decision to pull out of the tournament occurred at such a late date, there was no time to do anything but run a slimmed-down version of the Hoop Classic, which means each team will play three games instead of the usual four in the round-robin format.
One less team also meant the tournament schedule had to be adjusted to accommodate a smaller field, leading to a Thursday-through-Saturday window of play.
Following this year”s Hoop Classic, tournament coaches will have the option of keeping the field at four teams or adding a fifth, out-of-county team for future tournaments. An out-of-county team would only be considered if Clear Lake, Kelseyville, Lower Lake and Middletown are in agreement.
Another change this year is there will be no 3-point coaches shoot as in past Hoop Classics. The 3-point and free-throw contests for junior varsity and varsity players remain and take place Friday (following the first JV game for JV players and following the first varsity game for varsity players).
All tourney proceeds benefit the host high school. The Record-Bee makes the tournament programs and also pays for all trophies and awards. Team entry fees cover the cost of officiating.
Going for the record
No JV team in the history of the Hoop Classic has won the championship four years in a row, but that would change this year if the Middletown Mustangs emerge victorious. Middletown hasn”t even lost a game the last three years, going 4-0 in 2008, 2009 and 2010.
Three JV teams have won as many as three titles in a row — Kelseyville (1996-98), Clear Lake (2005-07) and Middletown (2008-10).
The varsity record is four straight, a feat accomplished by the Clear Lake Cardinals (1996-99).
Future tourneys
Next year”s tournament is scheduled to take place at Lower Lake High School and the 2013 Hoop Classic moves to Clear Lake High in Lakeport.
n New coaches
New coaches in this year”s field are David Graham (Lower Lake) in the varsity division and Tim Biasotti (Lower Lake) and Jon Hoogendoorn (Middletown) in the JV division.
n Programs
Only a limited number of tourney programs are available. They will be on sale at the gate.
