MIDDLETOWN >> The 22nd annual Record-Bee Hoop Classic boys’ basketball tournament tips off Dec. 17 and runs through Dec. 19 at Middletown High School. Junior varsity and varsity teams from Clear Lake, Kelseyville, Lower Lake and Middletown compete in a round-robin format during the three-day competition.
The Hoop Classic was the idea of former Middletown varsity boys’ basketball coach Bill Foltmer who along with the Record-Bee as a sponsor got the tournament rolling. Each of the first two Hoop Classics took place in Middletown because no one else in the county wanted to host the event. However, the success of the tournament as a fundraiser – the host school keeps all proceeds and has no appreciable expenses – brought about a format change and the Hoop Classic has rotated to other venues since 1996. Originally a five-school tournament that took place over the course of six days, the field was cut to four schools after 2010 when Upper Lake dropped out. It has been contested over three days since 2011.
Four games – two in the JV division and two in the varsity division – are held each day of the tournament. Team winners are determined by overall record and tiebreakers are in place should two or more teams finish with the same record for first or second place.
Defending champions are the Middletown varsity and Clear Lake JVs.
Admission prices are set by the host school and a concession stand will be in operation throughout the tournament. All awards other than those given to winners of the free-throw and 3-point contests on Friday are presented following the final game on Saturday night. There will be team trophies for first and second place, a spirit award for the top cheer squad, and All-Tournament teams with sixth-man and MVP awards.
Other than the first game each day, all game times are approximate. Fans should arrive early to the gym in the event the tournament is running ahead of schedule.
The tournament schedule is as follows:
Thursday, Dec. 17 — Lower Lake JVs vs. Kelseyville JVs, 2:30 p.m.; Lower Lake vs. Kelseyville varsity, 4 p.m; Clear Lake vs. Middletown JVs, 5:30 p.m.; Clear Lake vs. Middletown varsity, 7 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 18 — Lower Lake vs. Middletown JVs, 2:30 p.m.; JV free-throw and 3-point contests, 4 p.m.; Kelseyville vs. Clear Lake JVs, 4:30 p.m.; Lower Lake vs. Middletown varsity, 6 p.m; varsity free-throw and 3-point contests, 7:30 p.m.; Kelseyville vs. Clear Lake varsity, 8 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 19 — Clear Lake vs. Lower Lake JVs, 3 p.m.; Kelseyville vs. Middletown JVs, 4:30 p.m.; Clear Lake vs. Lower Lake varsity, 6 p.m.; Kelseyville vs. Middletown varsity, 7:30 p.m.; awards ceremony, 9 p.m.
